“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.” — Psalm 19:1
Lesson
What You Will Learn
- Insert and format tables
- Add and position images and shapes
- Use columns, margins, and orientation
- Design a clean one-page flyer
Lesson Notes
Tables
Tables organize information in rows and columns: phone lists, schedules, price lists. Insert > Table. Use Table Design for borders and shading and Layout to add rows, merge cells, and set column widths. Keep a header row and avoid heavy borders.
Images and Shapes
Insert > Pictures. Set Wrap Text (Square or Top and Bottom) so text flows around images correctly. Keep images sharp; never stretch a photo out of proportion (drag from a corner). Add alt text so people using screen readers know what the image shows.
Page Layout
Layout controls margins, orientation (portrait or landscape), size, and columns. Newsletters and brochures often use two or three columns. Use Section Breaks when one part of a document needs different layout.
Design Principles
Good design is simple: one or two fonts, plenty of white space, aligned edges, a clear hierarchy (the most important item is largest), and limited colors. When in doubt, remove something.
Key Terms
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Merge cells | Combine two or more table cells into one |
| Wrap Text | How text flows around an image |
| Alt text | A description of an image for screen readers |
| Section break | Divides a document so parts can have different layouts |
In-Class Activities
Staff Directory Table
Create a table with columns for Name, Department, Extension, and Email for eight staff (use sample names). Add a shaded header row, sort by last name (Layout > Sort), and set it to repeat the header row.
Before and After
Look at the cluttered flyer your instructor provides. List five changes that would make it cleaner, then redesign it.
Assignment: Event Flyer and Schedule
Design a one-page flyer for a church or community event.
- A title, one image with alt text, event details, and contact information.
- A small table with the event schedule.
- No more than two fonts and three colors.
Include a second page in landscape with a two-column volunteer sign-up sheet.
Graded with the Module Assignment Rubric.
Reflection Journal
Psalm 19 says creation declares God's glory. God is a designer who cares about beauty and order. How can the work of your hands, even a simple flyer, reflect care and beauty?
Prayer focus: Thank God for the beauty of His creation and ask Him to bless the work of your hands.
Weekly Reading & Devotions
Beauty With Purpose
God cares about beauty. The tabernacle was designed with colors, fabrics, and craftsmanship. Creation is full of design: order and variety, pattern and surprise. We reflect our Creator when we make things beautiful and useful.
Good design is not decoration. It helps people find what they need. A table makes a schedule easy to scan. An image draws the eye. White space lets the page breathe. A clear title tells people what matters most.
The most common design mistake is doing too much: too many fonts, colors, and images. When in doubt, remove something. Simplicity is harder than clutter and far more effective.
Remember alt text. Describing images for people who use screen readers is a small act of respect that makes your work accessible to everyone.
Think About It
- What is one design you find beautiful and clear? ______________________
- Where do you tend to add too much? ______________________
- How does accessibility show love for others? ______________________
Daily Devotions for Week 4
Declaring His Glory
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.— Psalm 19:1 (KJV)
Creation displays God's design. Our work can reflect His care for beauty.
Reflect: Where do you see God's design around you?
Pray: Lord, thank You for the beauty of Your creation.
Do: Notice three beautiful things today.
Beauty in Its Time
He hath made every thing beautiful in his time.— Ecclesiastes 3:11 (KJV)
God makes things beautiful in His time, including our lives.
Reflect: What in your life is God making beautiful?
Pray: Lord, make my life beautiful in Your time.
Do: Thank God for one area of growth.
Workmanship
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.— Ephesians 2:10 (KJV)
You are God's masterpiece. The work of your hands can reflect that.
Reflect: How does being God's workmanship affect your work?
Pray: Lord, thank You for crafting me.
Do: Create something with care today.
Less Is More
In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.— Proverbs 10:19 (KJV)
Wisdom often means restraint, in words and in design.
Reflect: Where would less be more for you?
Pray: Lord, give me wisdom in restraint.
Do: Remove one unnecessary element from a document.
Seen by Everyone
But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind.— Luke 14:13 (KJV)
Jesus welcomed those others overlooked. Accessibility in our work reflects that welcome.
Reflect: Who might be overlooked in your work?
Pray: Lord, help me include everyone.
Do: Add alt text to every image in your flyer.
Module Quiz
- 1.
How should you resize a photo to keep its proportions?
- 2.
Alt text is used to:
- 3.
Which setting lets one page be landscape while others are portrait?
- 4.
Using many fonts and colors makes a flyer look more professional.
- 5.
Name three design principles for a clean document.