About this class

The Design Studio is a hands-on visual design course that introduces adult learners to the fundamentals of graphic design through Canva, a widely used free design platform. The course grounds practical skill-building in core design principles — typography, color theory, hierarchy, balance, and visual rhythm — and applies those principles immediately to projects learners can use in their everyday lives.

Each session begins with a focused lesson on a design fundamental and moves quickly into applied work. Learners design real artifacts: greeting cards, event invitations, personal flyers, photo layouts, and small social media graphics. Structured critique is built into the course, with regular opportunities to share work in progress and receive feedback from instructors and peers. Field components include visits to working design and print studios to see how professional designers move from concept to finished work.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, learners will be able to:

Identify and apply the core principles of visual design — typography, color, hierarchy, balance, contrast, and visual rhythm
Navigate the Canva interface confidently and use templates as starting points for original work
Build and refine multi-element designs across formats including cards, invitations, flyers, photo layouts, and social media graphics
Edit and integrate photographs into composed designs, including basic color correction and cropping
Choose typeface pairings that establish clear hierarchy and tone
Prepare finished designs for print, digital sharing, and personal use

Methodology

The course follows a practice-based studio model. Each session pairs short instruction with extended hands-on production, and learners build a working portfolio across the series. Critique is structured to develop both technical and aesthetic judgment.

Topics we cover

Foundations of visual design: color, typography, hierarchy, balance, and rhythm
The Canva interface: tools, templates, and the layered design workflow
Working with templates: adapting, customizing, and going beyond starting points
Photographs in design: cropping, color correction, and integration
Typography pairing: building hierarchy and matching tone to purpose
Designing for real-world use: cards, invitations, flyers, photo books, and personal projects
Developing personal style: making consistent choices across projects
Output and distribution: preparing files for print and digital sharing

Who it's for

For adults who want to build a working command of visual design — both the principles and the practical software skills — and produce finished design work for personal and community use. If you can use a smartphone or tablet, you can do this. No prior design experience required.

Who teaches it

Joseph Amodeo

Founder and lead instructor at The Grove. Doctoral student in education policy at the University of Illinois with master's degrees in rehabilitation counseling, public administration, political science, and religious studies, plus eight professional credentials and over a decade of teaching experience at the college and professional level.

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Sarah Tancer

Clinical social work candidate at Hunter College with a B.A. in Psychology and Early Childhood Education from Tulane, certifications in crisis counseling and youth mental health, and direct teaching experience across early childhood, elementary, and after-school settings.

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Schedule

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Pricing

$100 per session · 120 min per class. Register for 8 or more sessions across any combination of classes at The Grove and save 15%.

Registration is handled on our secure registration site.

Classes at The Grove are non-credit, personal-enrichment programs offered by Big Apple Coaching LLC. Participation does not confer academic credit, professional certification, or licensure.