While Microsoft Word has "word" in its title and also is known as word processing software, words are not all the program processes. Although not instantly apparent from viewing the default work screen, Word offers a collection of drawing and design tools ready to add artwork to an existing document or create designs for an entirely new file. Making designs on Microsoft Word may not be as intricate or detailed as with a graphics program, but Word provides an ideal platform for beginning design brainstorming.
Step 1
Open Microsoft Word. Word defaults an 8.5- by 11-inch page. To change the page canvas size or layout, click the "Page Layout" tab. Click the "Orientation" button and click "Landscape" to change the page to a horizontal view and click the "Size" button to select a new size for the design page.
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Step 2
Click the "Insert" tab at the top of the work area. Click the "Shapes" button below the tab. Choose a shape from the fly-out menu. Note the cursor changes. Position the cursor on the Word page, press and hold down the left mouse button and drag to form the shape. Release the mouse button and the shape appears on the page along with a new "Drawing Tools" tab and ribbon at the top of the workspace.
Step 3
Change the shape's design elements using the ribbon. Click the "Shape Fill" button and click a square to change the fill color inside the shape. Click the "Shape Outline" button to change the border color of the shape.
Step 4
Repeat the "Shapes" button process to add additional shapes to the page, layering them or positioning them to form the design.
Step 5
Draw your own design by clicking the "Scribble" tool, the squiggly line at the end of the "Line" group off the "Shapes" button. The cursor changes to a pencil. Use the mouse like a pencil and drag the cursor around the screen to add to the design. Change the pencil color using the "Shape Outline" button on the ribbon.
Step 6
Copy the design for use in another Word document or to move to another section of the existing Word document by highlighting the entire shape with the cursor. Once highlighted, press the "Ctrl" and "C" keys on the keyboard to copy it. To paste, press the "Ctrl" and "V" keys.
Step 7
Save the design by clicking the "File" tab and selecting "Save As." Type a name for the file and click the "Save" button.
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