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Michael Worthington

This course is the culmination of the Graphic Design Specialization and gives you an opportunity to tie together your knowledge and skills into a single project: a brand development guide for a company you will invent.

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This course is the culmination of the Graphic Design Specialization and gives you an opportunity to tie together your knowledge and skills into a single project: a brand development guide for a company you will invent.

This course takes you through the entire design process, from ideation to creation to presentation. Through the guide, you will be creating and giving a visual identity to an imaginary start-up company, and applying that visual identity to a number of forms. You will also develop a logotype and accompanying graphic palette to visually represent your company, as well as apply that design to a number of different applications to see it at work.

Note: Only learners who have earned a certificate in the four previous courses in the Specialization are eligible to take the Capstone.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview
Ideation: Invent Your Client
In this module you will choose an area your start-up company works in, create a written (fake) history of your company, define company idealogical goals and philosophy, brainstorm for naming ideas and name your company.
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Visualization: Make Your Fake
In this module you will carry out visual research of reference material for your start-up's identity. You will create digital “mood boards” to show the look and feel and visual direction of your company's identity.
Logotype: Brand Your Brand
In this module you will learn how to create a logotype for your company, with emphasis on finessing typographic forms.
Palette: Expand Your Brand
In this module you will be extending the palette of your brand identity by creating a suite of elements for your start-up company: color palette, visual mark, secondary typefaces, imagery/forms and a secret ingredient.
Application: Apply Your Brand
In this module you will be using your extended palette, or suite of elements, to create a set of design pieces that showcase the identity for your imaginary start-up company.
Publication: Display Your Brand
In this module you will be reworking and refining your identity components. You will be finishing and refining the design of your Brand Development Guide and submitting it for the final. We will be wrapping things up this week and reviewing our peers' work.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Examines visual identity development, a core skill for designers
Taught by Michael Worthington, who is recognized for their work in design
Develops logotype design, which is highly relevant to design
Develops color palette design, which is highly relevant to design
Builds a strong foundation for beginners in design
Encourages visual research, a key aspect of the design process

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Reviews summary

Highly enjoyable branding course

According to students, This course is amazing and highly recommended. It breaks down the steps you need to begin working with a client or starting your own business. Students also express appreciation for the professors and say that the lessons feel hands on despite being prerecorded videos. Students advise completing the optional assignments for additional learning opportunities.

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Brand New Brand with these activities:
Review basic design principles and elements
Strengthens your foundational understanding of design concepts.
Browse courses on Design Principles
Show steps
  • Read articles and watch videos on basic design principles
  • Review books or tutorials on color theory, typography, and composition
  • Practice applying these principles in simple design exercises
Volunteer for a non-profit or community organization that focuses on design
Provides real-world experience and allows you to contribute to the community.
Browse courses on Graphic Design
Show steps
  • Identify non-profits or community organizations that align with your interests
  • Contact the organizations and inquire about volunteer opportunities
  • Provide design assistance as needed, such as creating logos, brochures, or website graphics
Review 'Logo Design Love' by David Airey
Provides a solid foundation in logo design principles and best practices.
Show steps
  • Read the book thoroughly, taking notes on key concepts and techniques
  • Analyze the examples and case studies provided in the book
  • Create a mind map of the key takeaways from the book
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Attend industry events and meet with design professionals
Connects you with industry experts and provides insights into current trends.
Show steps
  • Research and identify relevant industry events
  • Prepare an elevator pitch to introduce yourself and your work
  • Attend the events and actively engage with other attendees
Follow tutorials on advanced logo design techniques
Enhances your technical skills and expands your knowledge of logo design tools.
Browse courses on Logo Design
Show steps
  • Identify specific areas where you want to improve your logo design skills
  • Search for and enroll in online tutorials that cover those techniques
  • Follow the tutorials step-by-step and apply the techniques to your own logo designs
Design a logo for a hypothetical startup
Allows you to apply the principles learned in the course to a practical project.
Browse courses on Logo Design
Show steps
  • Brainstorm ideas and sketch out potential logo concepts
  • Create digital versions of the logo concepts using design software
  • Refine and finalize the chosen logo design
Conduct a peer review session with other students in the course
Provides constructive feedback and promotes collaboration.
Show steps
  • Find a group of peers who are willing to participate in a peer review session
  • Exchange design work and provide constructive criticism
  • Incorporate the feedback into your own designs
Develop a branding style guide for a mock company
Provides an opportunity to synthesize and apply your understanding of brand elements.
Browse courses on Brand Development
Show steps
  • Define the brand's core values and target audience
  • Create a color palette, typography system, and logo variations
  • Develop guidelines for the use of the brand elements in various applications

Career center

Learners who complete Brand New Brand will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Graphic designer
Graphic Designers create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. This can include logos, brochures, posters, and more. This course can help build a Graphic Designer's knowledge in design principles, typography, and color theory and provides hands-on experience developing and applying a brand identity, all of which would benefit individuals working in this role.
Visual Designer
Visual Designers create visual content for a variety of purposes, such as websites, brochures, and social media. To do this effectively, they need to have a solid foundation in design principles, typography, and color theory, which this Brand New Brand course can help build. This course also explores the process of creating a cohesive brand identity, which is crucial for any type of visual design work.
Art teacher
Art Teachers instruct students in the principles and techniques of art. To do this effectively, they need to have a solid foundation in design principles, typography, and color theory, which this Brand New Brand course can help build. This course also explores the process of developing a cohesive brand identity, which is essential for any type of art instruction.
Product Designer
Product Designers create the physical products that we use every day, from furniture to electronics to toys. To do this effectively, they need to have a solid foundation in design principles, typography, and color theory, which this Brand New Brand course can help build. Additionally, this course provides experience developing a cohesive brand identity, which is essential for creating successful products.
Package Designer
Package Designers are responsible for designing the packaging for products. To do this effectively, they need to have a solid foundation in design principles, typography, and color theory, which this Brand New Brand course can help build. Additionally, this course provides experience developing a cohesive brand identity, which is essential for creating effective product packaging.
Web Designer
Web Designers create the user interfaces for websites. To do this effectively, they need to have a solid foundation in design principles, typography, and color theory, which this Brand New Brand course can help build. Additionally, this course provides experience developing a cohesive brand identity, which is essential for creating effective websites.
Art gallery director
Art Gallery Directors oversee the operation of art galleries. To do this effectively, they need to have a solid foundation in design principles, typography, and color theory, which this Brand New Brand course can help build. This course also explores the process of developing a cohesive brand identity, which is essential for any type of art gallery.
Marketing Manager
Marketing Managers develop and implement marketing campaigns for products or services. To do this effectively, they need to understand how to define and build a brand identity. This course would be helpful to Marketing Managers by providing a foundation in brand strategy and the visual elements of brand identity.
Brand Manager
Brand Managers oversee the development and execution of marketing campaigns for specific products or services. As such, they need to understand how to create and maintain a strong brand identity. This course is a resource to help build a foundation in brand strategy and visual brand elements, which would be useful to professionals working as Brand Managers.
Production Artist
Production Artists prepare artwork and other visual content for reproduction. This can include creating digital files for printing, preparing images for websites, or creating marketing materials. This course would be helpful to Production Artists by providing a foundation in design principles, typography, and color theory. This knowledge can improve efficiency and quality of work output.
UX Designer
UX Designers create user interfaces for websites and other digital products, focusing on the user experience. To do this effectively, they need to understand how users interact with technology, as well as have a background in design principles and visual communication. This course may be helpful to UX Designers by providing instruction in design principles, typography, and color theory, all of which contribute to a successful user experience.
Art Director
Art Directors lead the design of artwork and other visual content, typically working in advertising or publishing. To do this effectively, they need a solid foundation in design principles, typography, and color theory, which this Brand New Brand course can help build. Furthermore, this course provides experience developing a brand identity from start to finish, a skillset central to Art Direction.
Interaction Designer
Interaction Designers create the user interfaces for websites, apps, and other digital products. To do this effectively, they need to understand how users interact with technology, as well as have a background in design principles and visual communication. This course provides instruction in typography, color theory, and principles of design, all of which would strengthen a foundation for Interaction Designers.
Creative Director
Creative Directors lead teams of designers and other creatives in developing advertising campaigns and other marketing materials. Although this course may not be directly relevant to the day-to-day work of a Creative Director, it does provide a foundation for understanding the principles of design, typography, and color theory, which are essential to success in this role.
Writer
Writers create content for a variety of purposes, such as websites, blogs, articles, and marketing materials. Although this course does not provide instruction in writing, it does explore the process of creating a brand identity, which is an important element of any marketing campaign or other written content. Understanding this process may be helpful to Writers, especially those who write for marketing or branding purposes.

Reading list

We've selected 26 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Brand New Brand.
Practical guide to brand development, covering topics such as brand strategy, brand identity, and brand management. It valuable resource for students who want to learn more about the process of creating and managing a brand.
Provides a comprehensive guide to the principles and processes of brand identity design, and it covers topics such as brand strategy, visual identity, and brand management. It would be a valuable resource for students who want to learn more about the theoretical and practical aspects of brand development.
Provides a toolkit for designers and marketers who are working to create a brand identity. It covers everything from developing a brand strategy to creating a visual identity.
Covers the fundamentals of brand identity development, including how to create a strong brand name, logo, and visual identity. It also provides guidance on how to manage and protect your brand over time.
Explores the power of visual storytelling. It provides insights on how to use visuals to create a memorable brand and connect with your customers.
Offers a practical guide to logo design, and it covers topics such as concept development, sketching, and refining. It would be a useful resource for students who want to learn more about the specific skills and techniques involved in creating effective logos.
Provides an in-depth look at the process of visual branding, and it covers topics such as brand strategy, visual identity, and brand management. It would be a valuable resource for students who want to learn more about the strategic and creative aspects of brand development.
Discusses the importance of aligning your brand strategy with your design, and provides practical advice on how to do so. It covers topics such as developing a brand story, creating a brand style guide, and measuring the effectiveness of your brand.
Comprehensive guide to the principles of design. It covers topics such as composition, color theory, and typography. It great resource for designers who want to improve their understanding of the fundamental principles of design.
Great resource for people who are new to design. It covers topics such as the basics of design, how to choose colors and fonts, and how to create effective layouts. It great way to learn the fundamentals of design without having to take a formal design course.
Provides a practical guide to designing products that are both user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing. It covers topics such as the psychology of design, how to design for different users, and how to create products that are easy to understand and use.
Provides a practical guide to the business of design. It covers topics such as how to develop a creative brief, how to manage a design project, and how to market your design services. It great resource for designers who want to start their own business or freelance.
Explores the creative process and provides tips on how to overcome creative blocks. It covers topics such as how to find inspiration, how to develop your creativity, and how to stay creative in the long run. It great resource for designers who want to improve their creative skills.
Provides a practical guide to design thinking. It covers topics such as how to identify design opportunities, how to develop creative solutions, and how to implement design solutions effectively. It great resource for designers who want to learn more about design thinking.
Provides a practical guide to the sprint process. It covers topics such as how to prepare for a sprint, how to run a sprint, and how to use the results of a sprint to improve your product development process. It great resource for designers who want to learn more about sprint
Provides a practical guide to value proposition design. It covers topics such as how to identify your customer's needs, how to develop a value proposition that meets those needs, and how to communicate your value proposition effectively. It great resource for designers who want to learn more about value proposition design.
Provides a practical guide to the business of design. It covers topics such as pricing your work, negotiating with clients, and protecting your intellectual property. It great resource for designers who want to start their own business or freelance.
Discusses the importance of aligning brand strategy with design, and it covers topics such as brand positioning, brand messaging, and brand experience. It would be a useful resource for students who want to learn more about the strategic role of design in brand development.
Explores the future of branding, and it covers topics such as the role of technology, the importance of authenticity, and the need for brands to be meaningful. It would be a thought-provoking read for students who are interested in the latest trends in brand development.
Seminal work on the psychology of design. It provides practical guidance on how to design products and services that are easy to use and understand.
Classic guide to typography, and it covers topics such as type anatomy, typefaces, and typographic principles. It would be a useful resource for students who want to learn more about the role of typography in brand development.
Provides a framework for evaluating and improving existing brands. It includes case studies of successful brand overhauls.
Provides a simplified approach to brand development. It is written in a clear and concise style, and it includes practical exercises to help readers apply the concepts to their own work.
Comprehensive guide to brand building. It provides a step-by-step framework for developing a successful brand strategy.

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