Visual design and multi-format layout applied with artificial intelligence

Visual design and multi-format layout applied with artificial intelligence

Overview

This microcredit introduces the principles of visual design applied to professional contexts, such as typography, color, and composition. Students will learn to create and adapt visual content using tools like Canva and the Affinity suite, developing coherent pieces optimized for different formats and digital platforms.

Goals

To train students to produce professional visual materials with criteria, coherence and autonomy, applying fundamental principles of visual design and mastering accessible tools such as Canva and Affinity, with strategic and critical integration of artificial intelligence resources as creative and technical support in the design and layout process.

Access requirements

Students must be between 25 and 64 years old on the date the training begins.
A university degree will not be required to access this microcredential. However, students wishing to access it must meet the following access requirements: They must hold, at a minimum, a high school diploma or advanced vocational training qualification.

Academic program

Contents

  1. Foundations, context and conceptual framework
  2. Fundamentals of visual design applied to professional contexts
  3. Canva: fundamentals, interface, and design of basic professional pieces
  4. Advanced Canva: Visual systems, document layout, and AI applied to design
  5. Affinity: Introduction to the suite and vector design with Affinity Designer
  6. Affinity Publisher and Photo: editorial layout and professional photo editing
  7. Final project: production, presentation and defense of the work

Methodology and activities

The training activities to be carried out during the delivery of the micro-credential will be:

  • Theoretical classes: expository, explanatory or demonstration sessions of the contents and knowledge.
  • Practical classes: sessions of practical application of the content developed in the theoretical classes, through the resolution of exercises, problems or theoretical-practical scenarios.
  • Seminars, workshops, or other complementary activities (discussion forums, simulations, etc.): monographic sessions that encourage student participation. These are supervised by the course instructors.
  •  Work: preparation of a study, essay, work… proposed in the subject, either individually or in a group following established guidelines.
  • Independent work: independent and self-regulated activity of the student based on the documentation and guidelines proposed in the subject, preparation of classes and exams, preparation of final reports, internship reports…
  • Presentations, debates and defenses of works and projects: activity through which students present works, exercises, projects… based on established criteria, demonstrating sufficiency and maturity in the acquisition of the planned competencies.
  • Tutoring (individual, group…): activity in which the teaching staff attends to, facilitates and guides one or more students in the training process.
  • Assessment: continuous assessment tests and final exams. Tests may be in person or online, and may be written, oral, or consist of practical exercises.

Regarding the way to organize the teaching to achieve the objectives set out in the micro-credential, the organizational modality summarized below will be followed:

  •  Lectures/expository method: presentation or explanation by the teaching staff.
  • Practical classes: activities supervised by the teaching staff in the classroom, laboratories, clinics.
  •  Seminars: completing exercises, solving problems or practical cases, others.
  •  Individual work: individual preparation of assignments/projects/reports, portfolio,
  • Group work: group preparation of assignments, projects/reports, …
  • Personal study: preparation for tests, exams, etc.
  • Assessment: written tests, oral tests, practical tests, …
  •  Tutoring: instruction period in which teachers and students interact with the aim of reviewing and discussing materials and topics presented in class.
  • Exhibitions, debates and presentation of works and projects: activities supervised by the teaching staff.
  • Active methodologies: cooperative learning, project-based learning, flipped classroom, service learning, game-based learning, case studies, problem-solving…

They are aimed at making learning a participatory process and are based on the leading role of the students.

Evaluation criteria

The microcredential will have an evaluation system (ES) based on the following evaluation tests:

SE1. Objective tests (true/false, multiple choice, test type, fill-in-the-blank, ordering, etc.): These are measurement instruments that allow the evaluation of knowledge, skills, performance, aptitudes, etc. The answers are closed, and objectivity is favored when correcting them.

  • Short answer tests: a type of objective test in which students do not elaborate on their answers and must respond to the specific information requested.
  • Development tests, long answer: students must develop, relate, organize and present their knowledge on a topic to produce an extensive answer.
  • Attendance, participation or attitude in teaching activities, seminars, tutorials, etc.: monitoring student attendance and participation in teaching activities, carrying out activities during teaching sessions.
  • Written works, memoirs, internship reports, and projects: a document prepared on a topic or activity carried out, following the instructions established by the teaching staff.
  • Portfolios, journals, notebooks, or practice materials, etc.: a compilation of student work that demonstrates their progress and achievements. This compilation also serves as evidence of self-reflection.

General information

Credits: 2.5 ECTS

Duration: 07/05/2026-19/05/2026

Teaching modality: In person

Location: Faculty of Social Sciences and Communication, La Pirámide Building, Guajara Campus

Registration fee: €65.25

Valued at: €217.50

Registration
More info and registration help

The cost of tuition for this Microcredential will be subsidized by the 'Plan for the development of university microcredentials', investment 6 of component 21 of the Addendum to the 'Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan', financed by the European Union – Next Generation EU, year 2025.

Flexibility

Short courses available in various formats (in-person, online, or hybrid). Ideal for learning without interrupting your professional life.

Employability

Content created and delivered by professionals and experts in the field, designed for immediate application.

Certification

Endorsed by the University of La Laguna. You will receive an official ECTS certificate, valid in the European Higher Education Area.

Teaching staff

Milena Trenta

Airan Abella Álvarez

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