Foundations of Graphic Design
Full-year course Credits: 0.50 per semester, 1 credit total Hybrid (asynchronous and synchronous) Course: 500811
Full-year course Credits: 0.50 per semester, 1 credit total Hybrid (asynchronous and synchronous) Course: 500811
Foundations of Graphic Design dives into the world of visual communication—where creativity meets strategy. You’ll learn how to mix fonts, colors, and images to tell powerful visual stories and bring ideas to life. From logos to social media graphics, you’ll explore design theory, typography, color magic, layout tricks, and branding basics using the same digital tools the pros use.
With hands-on projects and creative challenges, you’ll build a portfolio of eye-catching designs while sharpening your problem-solving and creative thinking skills. Whether you're dreaming of a design career or just love creating, this course is your launchpad into the world of visual communication!
The course opens with a
comprehensive look into what graphic design is and why it matters. In the first
unit, students explore the historical evolution of design from early
printmaking and poster art to the digital revolution. This includes studying
influential designers and movements, such as Bauhaus, Art Deco, and the Swiss
Style, to help students understand how design has shaped—and been shaped
by—cultural and technological changes. Students will create a historical
timeline project and participate in discussions and critiques to develop a
critical perspective on visual aesthetics.
Next, students delve into the essential building blocks of
design—elements such as line, shape, color, texture, space, and form,
and principles such as balance, contrast, unity, and emphasis. Weekly
assignments include media analysis, discussion questions, and hands on exercises and projects to
reinforce how these components interact in successful compositions. Students develop a design portfolio by the end of the course.
Typography is introduced in the second unit as both an art
and a science. Students learn the anatomy of type—such as ascenders,
descenders, serifs, and x-height—while exploring typographic classifications
like sans-serif, script, and display fonts. Projects include designing
typographic posters and visual compositions that use type as the primary design
element. Students are challenged to experiment with expressive typography and
develop an understanding of visual hierarchy, spacing, alignment, and readability.
The third unit focuses on color theory, a critical
aspect of visual storytelling. Students study the color wheel, learn about
primary, secondary, and tertiary colors, and explore color schemes such as
monochromatic, analogous, complementary, and triadic. Importantly, students
also analyze the psychological and emotional impact of color choices in
branding and media. Through projects like logo design and color palette
development, students learn how color influences viewer perception and message
delivery.
In Unit 4, students are introduced to industry-standard
software tools. They begin working hands-on with Adobe Photoshop and
Illustrator, exploring layer-based editing, vector creation, masking, and
basic image manipulation. Tutorials and creative exercises guide students
through making their first digital compositions, such as photo collages, icon
sets, and promotional materials. This unit lays the technical groundwork
necessary for more complex design work later in the course.
The semester concludes with Unit 5: Layout and
Composition, where students apply everything they’ve learned to organize
content effectively across formats. Concepts like grid systems, alignment,
whitespace, and visual hierarchy are emphasized. Students practice redesigning
flyers and creating magazine-style spreads that demonstrate thoughtful use of
space and content. Their final semester project—designing a
professional-quality poster or advertisement—serves as a capstone, integrating
design theory, typography, color usage, layout skills, and software proficiency.
Throughout the semester, students develop not just technical
and creative skills, but also soft skills such as collaboration, critique
etiquette, and time management. By the end of Semester 1, students will have
produced a variety of original works that reflect their growing design
sensibility and will have taken the first steps toward building a professional
portfolio.
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Welcome to Week 1!
Introduction to Graphic Design ~ reading
Universal Arts of Graphic Design ~ video
00:06:30History of Graphic Design ~ video
00:05:38Graphic Design Basics ~ Week 1 Text reading
Week 1 Discussion questions; Design movements
History of Graphic Design Timeline Assignment
Build your Brand: Mission Week 1 Assignment
1. Design Principles: Demonstrate an understanding of design elements (line, shape, texture, color, space) and principles (balance, contrast, emphasis, movement, pattern, rhythm, unity).
2. Typography: Analyze and apply typography principles to enhance visual communication
3. Color Theory: Use color theory effectively to evoke emotions and convey messages.
4. Software Proficiency: Develop proficiency in industry-standard graphic design tools (e.g., Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Canva).
5. Branding and Identity: Create cohesive branding elements, including logos and marketing materials.
6. Layout and Composition: Design layouts that communicate effectively across different media formats.
7. Critical Analysis: Critically evaluate the effectiveness of designs, providing and receiving constructive feedback.
8. Portfolio Development: Build a portfolio showcasing a range of projects that reflect their design skills and creativity.
9. Cultural Awareness: Understand and integrate cultural and historical contexts into design projects.
10. Professionalism: Exhibit time management, teamwork, and communication skills within the design process.
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Students
0
language
English
Duration
00h 38mLevel
beginner
Expiry period
4 Months
Certificate
Yes
Heather Gage West
English
Certificate Course
0 Students
00h 38m
1 Course
0 Review