We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Video School, Mario Macari, and Phil Ebiner

The perfect course to learn Graphic Design Theory & implement what you learn to create stunning graphics:

Are you struggling to create visually stunning designs without a solid understanding of design principles?

Do you often feel overwhelmed by the technical aspects of graphic design software and lack that confidence in your creations?

Has this led to you missing out on opportunities to effectively communicate your message and captivate your audience due to design flaws?

If you're nodding along, you're not alone. And you're in the right place.

Read more

The perfect course to learn Graphic Design Theory & implement what you learn to create stunning graphics:

Are you struggling to create visually stunning designs without a solid understanding of design principles?

Do you often feel overwhelmed by the technical aspects of graphic design software and lack that confidence in your creations?

Has this led to you missing out on opportunities to effectively communicate your message and captivate your audience due to design flaws?

If you're nodding along, you're not alone. And you're in the right place.

Without mastering design theory, your designs might not catch people's eyes or tell your story effectively. This could make it tough for you to get your message across and achieve what you want.

All This Ends With This Course.

Introducing Comprehensive Graphic Design Theory for Beginners: Design Foundations and Beyond.

Imagine breaking free from the frustration of staring at a blank canvas, unsure of where to start or how to turn your ideas into visually compelling designs.

Having the expertise to create visually stunning designs that captivate audiences, convey powerful messages, and leave a lasting impression is now in your reach.

With this Graphic Design Theory course, you can:

  • Unleash your creativity and bring your ideas to life with precision and finesse.

  • Develop a keen eye for design elements, such as color, typography, and layout, to craft visually compelling compositions.

  • Master industry-standard software tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, turning your visions into professional-grade artwork.

  • Elevate your portfolio with diverse projects that showcase your newfound skills and creativity.

  • Launch a career in graphic design or enhance your existing skill set to excel in a competitive market.

It all starts with mastering the fundamentals of graphic design and building a solid understanding of design theory. And guess what? We're here to guide you every step of the way.

This comprehensive course is your gateway to unlocking the secrets of effective design, from the principles that underpin all great visuals to the advanced techniques used by seasoned professionals.

Graphic Design Skills you will learn:

  • Understand Design Principles: Dive deep into the core principles of design, including balance, contrast, harmony, and hierarchy, to create visually pleasing compositions that engage and resonate with your audience.

  • Explore Typography: Learn the art of typography, from choosing the right fonts to mastering typographic hierarchy and creating visually appealing text layouts that enhance readability and convey your message effectively.

  • Harness the Power of Color Theory: Explore the psychology of color, understand color harmonies and contrasts, and leverage color effectively to evoke emotions, communicate messages, and create cohesive design schemes.

  • Master Layout and Composition: Develop your skills in layout design, grid systems, and composition techniques to create visually dynamic and well-structured designs across various mediums, from print to digital.

  • Navigate Free & Popular Software Tools: Gain hands-on experience with industry-standard design software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, mastering essential tools and techniques to bring your creative vision to life.

  • Explore Advanced Graphic Design Concepts: Expand your design knowledge with advanced topics such as branding, logo design, packaging design, and responsive design, taking your skills to the next level and setting yourself apart in the industry.

With this course as your guide, you'll not only learn the theory behind great design but also develop the practical skills and confidence to create stunning visuals that captivate, inspire, and leave a lasting impression.

Why Invest In Comprehensive Graphic Design Theory for Beginners?

  • No more lackluster designs that fade into the background– Stand out effortlessly. Say goodbye to dull, forgettable designs.

  • Say Goodbye to the lack of confidence– Understand the secrets behind captivating design to boost your confidence as a graphic designer.

  • No more wasted time and effort with trial and error– Work smarter, not harder: Master the essentials and skip the guesswork.

  • Break past your limitations– Learn your true creative potential and elevate your design skills to new heights.

Meet Your Master Teacher.

Prepare to be inspired by Mario Macari, a design wizard with over a decade of experience. He's not just any artist – he's won awards for his breathtaking artwork and specializes in crafting stunning designs using tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and more.

Mario's worked on captivating projects for top companies like Disney, Apple Computers, Microsoft, and DC Comics. And now, he's here to share his wisdom as a teacher at MIAD.

With a degree in Illustration and certifications from industry leaders, Mario's got the magic touch when it comes to graphic design. Get ready to unlock your creativity and learn from the best in the business.

Try It 100% – Risk Free.

With our 100% Risk-Free Guarantee, you've got nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Try it out, immerse yourself in the experience, and if it doesn't meet your expectations, we've got your back with a full refund.

Your satisfaction is our top priority, so go ahead, take the leap – your creative journey awaits.

Don't risk being left behind in the competitive design landscape.

Enroll now and learn your true design potential.

Enroll now

Here's a deal for you

Save money when you learn with a deal that may be relevant to this course.
All coupon codes, vouchers, and discounts are applied automatically unless otherwise noted.

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Learn graphic design principles
  • Make your designs look beautiful and stand out
  • Dive into typography and choosing the perfect fonts
  • Unleash your creativity
  • Harness the power of color theory
  • Master layout and composition
  • Navigate free & popular software tools like photoshop and canva
  • Explore advanced graphic design concepts

Syllabus

Introduction to the Graphic Design Theory Course
Welcome to the Graphic Design Theory Course
The Importance of Graphic Design Theory
Why You Can Succeed in Graphic Design
Read more

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Builds a foundation of graphic design principles for beginners
Taught by instructors recognized for their design expertise
Covers a comprehensive range of foundational design topics
Emphasizes practical application with guided projects
Offers a 100% risk-free guarantee for satisfaction
Uses industry-standard software, some of which is offered for free

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
Save

Reviews summary

Foundational graphic design theory for beginners

According to learners, this course offers a highly comprehensive and well-structured foundation in graphic design theory, making complex concepts like color theory, typography, and visual hierarchy easy to grasp. Many commend the instructor's clear explanations and passion, which help build a strong theoretical understanding and boost confidence. While excellent for mastering design principles, some students note a lesser emphasis on practical software application, suggesting it's ideal for those seeking conceptual depth rather than extensive hands-on tool mastery.
Thorough explanations may feel slow for experienced learners.
"Some parts felt a bit slow, especially if you have a slight background, but overall it's solid."
"The pacing sometimes feels slow for me, but it ensures all learners can follow."
Mario Macari's clear, passionate teaching style stands out.
"Mario explains complex concepts like color theory and typography in a way that's easy to grasp."
"Absolutely fantastic! Mario is a brilliant instructor. His passion for design shines through, and he breaks down everything into digestible chunks."
"The instructor's examples are very clear."
"Instructor is knowledgeable."
Provides a deep understanding of core design principles.
"This course is incredibly thorough and well-structured for beginners. Mario explains complex concepts like color theory and typography in a way that's easy to grasp."
"Highly recommend for anyone starting out in graphic design. This course provides a strong theoretical backbone. I finally understand *why* certain designs work."
"A true gem for understanding the fundamental principles. I feel equipped with the knowledge to critique and create designs intelligently."
"I especially liked the sections on Gestalt principles and visual hierarchy. Very helpful for building a solid foundation."
Primarily conceptual; less hands-on software application.
"The theory is good, but I was hoping for more practical application with actual software beyond just brief demos."
"Too much theory, not enough practical. The course description said 'Navigate Free & Popular Software Tools' but it's mostly conceptual."
"I wish there were more hands-on projects rather than just theoretical explanations, but I guess it is 'Graphic Design Theory'. Still, more practical exercises would make it even better."
"I needed something more hands-on for actual design work. Disappointed."

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 Graphic Design Theory: A Complete Graphic Design Course with these activities:
Read The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman
Reading this book will help you understand the principles of design and how they can be applied to everyday objects.
Show steps
  • Read the book.
  • Take notes on the key concepts.
  • Apply the concepts to your own design work.
Practice applying design principles to mockups
Doing these practice drills will help you improve your ability to select appropriate fonts and colors and arrange elements to create a balanced design.
Show steps
  • Find a design template or mockup that you like.
  • Select a font that is appropriate for the design.
  • Choose colors that complement each other and create a visually appealing design.
  • Arrange the elements on the design in a balanced and visually pleasing way.
  • Test out different variations of the design to see what looks best.
Create a social media post using design principles
Creating this post will help you apply your understanding of color theory, typography, and layout to create a visually appealing social media post.
Show steps
  • Choose a topic for your social media post.
  • Create a design for your post using the principles of design.
  • Write engaging copy for your post.
  • Post your social media post and track its performance.
  • Analyze the results of your post and make adjustments as needed.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Design a logo for a company or organization
Designing a logo will help you apply your understanding of design principles to create a unique and memorable brand identity.
Show steps
  • Research the company or organization and its brand identity.
  • Brainstorm ideas for the logo.
  • Sketch out different designs for the logo.
  • Create a digital version of the logo.
  • Present your logo to the company or organization.
Attend a design workshop
Attending a workshop will help you learn new design skills and techniques.
Show steps
  • Find a design workshop that you are interested in.
  • Register for the workshop.
  • Attend the workshop.
  • Practice the skills and techniques that you learned.
Create a portfolio of your design work
Creating a portfolio will help you showcase your design skills and attract potential clients.
Show steps
  • Gather your best design work.
  • Create a website or online portfolio.
  • Upload your design work to your portfolio.
  • Promote your portfolio to potential clients.

Career center

Learners who complete Graphic Design Theory: A Complete Graphic Design Course will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We haven't picked any books for this reading list yet.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Here are nine courses similar to Graphic Design Theory: A Complete Graphic Design Course.
Creating Global Brands with Jagdish Sheth
Most relevant
Pixel Art for Video Games
Most relevant
Low Poly Art For Video Games
Most relevant
UX: Visual Design Process
Most relevant
3D Models with Adobe Photoshop: Design a Pickleball Paddle
Most relevant
Complete Graphics Design and Video Editing Masterclass
Most relevant
Visual Elements of User Interface Design
Most relevant
Equitable Stage Makeup and Hair
Most relevant
Crea Diseños de Marketing en Redes Sociales con Canva
Most relevant

Udemy Buyer Protection & Guarantee

Verified partner policies & purchase protections

Global Marketplace Leader
Free Trial & Audit

Free Lecture Previews

Free preview video lectures available for all courses; optional 7-day free trial on Personal Plan subscriptions (cancel before trial ends to avoid conversion).

Return & Refund Policy

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

30-day money-back guarantee on all eligible individual course purchases (provided course content has not been substantially consumed or downloaded). Subscription fees are non-refundable once billed.

Buyer Protections

Verified Academic & Industry Partner

Lifetime access to purchased individual courses and future updates, verifiable certificate of completion, and direct student Q&A forums.

Key Purchase Protections
30-day 100% money-back guarantee on course purchases
Lifetime access on web, mobile, and offline
Certificate of completion included with purchase
Direct instructor Q&A and active student community
OpenCourser Verified Partner Policy details last reviewed: 2026-10-22
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser