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A practical course on creating professional vector graphics, illustrations, and visual design elements with Affinity Designer. Participants become familiar with the software’s essential tools and workspaces and learn how to complete their own graphic design projects efficiently and to a high standard.
You will learn how to set up documents professionally and combine vector shapes, curves, text, and pixel-based elements. You will work with colours, gradients, layers, strokes, fills, and effects and develop structured workflows for typical design tasks.
By the end of the course, you will be able to create attractive graphics and layouts, edit existing design elements, and export your projects for digital media or print production.
• Use the Affinity Designer interface and essential tools confidently
• Open, place, embed, and manage documents and images
• Draw, edit, transform, and precisely align vector shapes and curves
• Work with strokes, fills, colours, and gradients
• Use layers and layer effects to create structured designs
• Combine vector and pixel-based tools within a single project
• Design artistic text, frame text, and text on paths
• Export projects for screens, websites, and print production
• Basic confidence in using a computer
• No previous experience with Affinity Designer is required
• Basic knowledge of graphic design or image editing is helpful but not essential
*We customize the course outline and content to your specific needs and relevant use cases.
• A computer with an installed and operational version of Affinity Designer is required for practical exercises
Target Audience:
This course is aimed at public-sector employees and other professionals who intend to use Affinity Designer to create and edit professional graphics, illustrations, and visual communication materials.
Course Outline*:
*We customise the course structure, exercises, and sample projects to your specific requirements, your version of Affinity, and your typical design tasks.
Module 1: Introduction to Affinity Designer
• Typical applications of Affinity Designer
• Differences between vector and pixel graphics
• Overview of the interface and essential functions
• Tools, studios, panels, and the context toolbar
• Setting up and customising the workspace
• Navigation, zoom, and viewing options
• Fundamental workflows for graphic design projects
Module 2: Creating and Managing Documents
• Opening existing documents and images
• Creating new documents with suitable dimensions
• Defining page size, orientation, resolution, and colour mode
• Placing, embedding, and linking files
• Saving documents and managing versions
• Selecting suitable file formats for further editing
• Preparing projects for different output media
Module 3: Drawing and Editing Vector Shapes
• Creating rectangles, ellipses, polygons, and other basic shapes
• Selecting, moving, scaling, and rotating shapes
• Duplicating and positioning objects precisely
• Combining, dividing, and subtracting shapes
• Rounding corners and adjusting shape properties
• Aligning and distributing objects evenly
• Using guides, grids, and snapping options
Module 4: Curves and Paths
• Creating curves and free-form shapes with the Pen Tool
• Editing nodes and curve segments
• Controlling straight and curved paths
• Working with open and closed curves
• Joining, breaking, and expanding curves
• Selecting and transforming paths precisely
• Developing simple symbols and illustrations from curves
Module 5: Strokes, Fills, and Colours
• Applying and adjusting strokes and fills
• Setting stroke width, caps, and joins
• Using dashed and variable-width strokes
• Selecting colours using different colour models
• Creating and managing swatches
• Applying document colours consistently
• Creating linear, radial, and other gradients
• Controlling transparency and opacity
Module 6: Layers and Object Hierarchies
• Creating, naming, and organising layers
• Selecting and moving objects within layers
• Showing, hiding, locking, and grouping layers
• Controlling the stacking order of objects
• Using sublayers and nested groups
• Applying clipping masks and masking techniques
• Using layer effects such as shadows, outlines, and blurs
• Structuring complex documents clearly
Module 7: Working with Vector and Pixel Brushes
• Understanding the differences between vector and pixel brushes
• Applying and editing vector brush strokes
• Adjusting brush width, pressure, and stroke behaviour
• Selecting and managing existing brushes
• Using pixel-based drawing tools
• Applying and modifying pixel brush strokes
• Adjusting brush tips, size, hardness, and opacity
• Combining vector and pixel elements in one project
Module 8: Erasing, Correcting, and Refining
• Correcting vector objects and paths
• Erasing and revising pixel-based areas
• Using masks for non-destructive corrections
• Removing unwanted elements
• Refining edges and transitions
• Making shape and colour corrections
• Reviewing and undoing changes
• Cleaning up designs for further use
Module 9: Working with Text
• Creating artistic text for headings and short text elements
• Using frame text for longer content
• Placing text along paths
• Adding text inside shapes
• Selecting typefaces, font styles, and sizes
• Adjusting character spacing, line spacing, and alignment
• Applying character and paragraph formatting
• Combining text with graphic elements
• Converting text to curves for individual editing
Module 10: Practical Project and Export
• Planning a graphic design project from concept to final output
• Combining shapes, colours, text, and image elements
• Developing a consistent visual hierarchy
• Structuring files for efficient future editing
• Reviewing designs and correcting common errors
• Exporting documents to suitable graphic formats
• Creating SVG, PDF, PNG, and JPEG files
• Defining resolution, dimensions, transparency, and export areas
• Preparing graphics for digital media and print applications
• Practical tips and efficient workflows for everyday projects
Hands-on learning with expert instructors at your location for organizations.
Master new skills guided by experienced instructors from anywhere.
