• Government Campus UK

Introduction to Content Design

Discover the fundamentals of content design. Learn how to design accessible content that meets user needs.

28,533 enrolled on this course

Website development layout sketch drawing titled 'Content Design'

Introduction to Content Design

28,533 enrolled on this course

  • 4 weeks

  • 5 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

Learn how to apply user-centred design methods to enhance your digital content.

In this course, you’ll get to grips with the main concepts of effective user-centred content design.

You’ll develop your skills and confidence in designing content that is accessible, backed by user research and written in plain English.

As you explore the role of the content designer, you’ll learn the value of journey mapping and prototyping and how to use data to improve and iterate your content.

You’ll also learn how content designers work across the UK government and public sector, and have the opportunity to exchange tips and best practice with other learners on the course.

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Skip to 0 minutes and 4 seconds Jason: This is an Introduction to Content Design so it’s quite a broad course. You’ll find out what content design is about accessibility and about what the next steps in furthering your content design career are.

Skip to 0 minutes and 16 seconds Nigel: Content design is used in government to take often really complex policy driven information and put it in a format that’s accessible and as simple as possible for the majority of people to consume.

Skip to 0 minutes and 30 seconds Jane: The people who should do this course is anyone who’s working as a content designer who is maybe new to content design or who just wants to know more about the skills, experience and techniques you can use with content design.

Skip to 0 minutes and 43 seconds Jason: I think this course will make you a better writer, a better editor and a better listener.

What topics will you cover?

This course covers important content design principles. It is based on the Digital Data and Technology (DDaT) framework, and includes:

  • content design as a profession, including what content design is, what a content designer does and the skills they need
  • a focus on users, including accessibility, user needs, user research, journey mapping and prototyping
  • producing good digital content, including using plain English and structuring content to make it easy to understand and navigate
  • improving your content, including managing the content lifecycle, and how to use data to improve and iterate content and influence stakeholders
  • improving your career, including understanding the different roles within product teams and joining a content community

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Demonstrate the main skills and knowledge needed for user-centred content design
  • Interpret common data measures to make content decisions
  • Apply principles of accessibility to content design
  • Reflect on your own skills and professional development
  • Contribute to the content community by sharing your experience and insights

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for people who are new to content design in government, or are interested in learning more about the profession.

What software or tools do you need?

The course works on both computers and mobiles.

Who will you learn with?

Tommaso Spinelli (Ph.D.) is a Senior Learning Designer at the Cabinet Office, a Researcher at the University of Manchester and an Adjunct Lecturer at the IE Institute of the University of St Andrews.

Senior Content Designer, Department for Work and Pensions. Part of the cross-government content community. GDS Content Campus peer learning alumna. Training and workshop designer.

Head of Technical Writing at UK Government Digital Service

Who developed the course?

Government Campus UK

Government Campus UK has been established to share selected courses from across the UK Civil Service.

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$27.99

For the first two months. Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$134/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 16 Apr 2024

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

T&Cs apply.

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  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

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  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
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Map your progress

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  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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