Fundamentals of Graphic Design from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview

Welcome! In this first module I will summarize the assignments and expectations of this course.

Week 1: Fundamentals of Imagemaking

This week we are going to look at how images function in terms of conveying denotative and connotative messages, I'll show you a range of analog and digital imagemaking techniques and discuss how they work. In the first peer review assignment you'll create your own series of images, experimenting with formal techniques. Later, you'll have the opportunity to rework those images to enhance their ability to communicate an idea through connotation in an optional assignment: give it a try, it'll help you develop your communication skills as well as your formal skills!

Week 2: Fundamentals of Typography

This week we are going to look at typographic terminology and the basic rules for creating typography. I'll show you a range of tips and techniques for working with type, in both a functional and expressive manner, and you'll find out about the process involved in making and controlling typography. This week you'll complete a quiz to make sure you understand the language of typography–this is required. I also highly recommend you complete the two optional peer review assignments. In the first assignment you'll create your own typographic monogram, and you'll use that as a central element in designing a typographic business card in the second assignment. Give them a try, they are the place where you can demonstrate and apply your formal skills, and the place where you get to play with type!

Week 3: Fundamentals of Shape and Color

This week we are going to look at how designers work with shape and color as their fundamental building blocks. You'll learn about visual contrast, color, rhythm and pattern in design. I'll be showing you the process involved in making an abstract design from shapes, and how to use that element to create a repeating pattern design. You'll be completing a quiz (required!) to make sure you understand how visual contrast and color work, and I also highly recommend you complete the two optional peer review assignments. In the first assignment you'll create your own simple and complex design motifs, and you'll use them as the central elements in designing a repeating pattern in the second assignment. The assignments are optional, but they are the place where you get to demonstrate and apply your formal skills, so well worth taking the extra time to complete!

Week 4: Fundamentals of Composition

This week we are going to look at how designers work with visual contrasts, cropping, hierarchy and direction in single images and complex compositions. You'll find out how to control and use scale, weight, direction, texture, and space in a composition, and how to compose work that ranges from the complex to the minimal. In the first peer review assignment you'll create your own abstract compositions that demonstrate your knowledge and control of visual contrast. In the final optional assignment, you can use all your skills from the entire course to create experimental compositions in the form of a poster for a mythical band. This last project is optional, but I strongly suggest you try it out, it'll let you grow and apply your design knowledge and really enjoy and express yourself in your design work!

Continuing your graphic design studies

In this section we've provided some useful resources for students wishing to further their studies in graphic design. The information was authored by Calvin Rye, MFA alumnus of the Graphic Design program at CalArts in consultation with CalArts' Graphic Design faculty and our Office of Admissions. In addition to some advice about selecting the right program of study, we've also included some tips for creating and presenting a strong, organized portfolio and writing your artist statement. These are essential components of any application to a graphic design program, as well as a freelance graphic designer's toolkit. Regardless if you are applying to schools or looking for work in the field, we hope you find these tips and resources useful to your goals.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops formal design skills in a range of image-making techniques, typography, composition, working with color and shape

Instructed by Michael Worthington, who is recognized for their work in graphic design

Offers learners opportunities to apply skills through exercises and projects

Provides opportunities to develop visual communication skills

Requires access to a computer, potentially posing a barrier for some learners

May be more suitable for learners with some prior knowledge in graphic design or related fields

Reviews summary

Accessible graphic design overview

Learners say this accessible graphic design course gives a well-rounded overview of the core elements and principles of design. Students especially appreciate the hands-on approach, which gives learners plenty of opportunities to work on engaging assignments. Be aware that the course is not part of a larger specification and is not **free** to take.

Course covers the core concepts.

"A very good overview of graphic design"

"for someone just wanting an intro, can just take this course rather than the whole specification."

Intended for beginners.

"It is really great for beginners!"

"this course focuses on four parts of graphic design"

Coursework is project based.

"I basically really liked the course."

"It has a hands-on approach -- you get to produce lots of content instead of just answering questions for quizzes."

Quizzes are too simple.

"There were some [quizzes], but they were way too simple and just good for replicating facts from the videos."

The course is poorly structured.

"Not up to par with what I expect from a school like CalArts."

"The class seems unorganized and not well thought out."

The course is not free.

"I thought this was a mooc? Seems you have to pay."

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 Fundamentals of Graphic Design with these activities:

Connect with Experienced Graphic Designers

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Seek guidance and support from experienced graphic designers to enhance your learning journey and gain valuable insights.

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Attend industry events and meetups.
Reach out to graphic designers on social media or online forums.
Request informational interviews to learn about their experiences and advice.

Review the Elements of Design

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Review the fundamental principles of design, such as contrast, balance, and hierarchy, to strengthen your foundation before the course begins.

Browse courses on Elements of Design

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Read articles and books on design principles.
Analyze visual examples to identify and understand how the elements of design are applied in practice.

Read 'The Graphic Design Handbook' by Meggs and Purvis

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Gain a comprehensive understanding of graphic design principles and practices by reading this foundational book.

View Meggs' History of Graphic Design on Amazon

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Read through the chapters to understand the key concepts of graphic design.
Review the examples and illustrations to reinforce your understanding.

Five other activities

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Practice Image Manipulation with Adobe Photoshop

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Enhance your image manipulation skills by following online tutorials on Adobe Photoshop.

Browse courses on Image Editing

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Find tutorials on basic image manipulation techniques.
Follow the steps in the tutorials to edit and enhance images.
Experiment with different image manipulation techniques to improve your proficiency.

Complete Typography Exercises

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Improve your typography skills through repetitive exercises that cover topics such as font selection, hierarchy, and readability.

Browse courses on Typography

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Find online typography exercises or worksheets.
Practice identifying and classifying different typefaces.
Experiment with different font combinations and sizes to create effective typography.

Experiment with Color Combinations

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Develop your understanding of color theory by practicing different color combinations and exploring their effects.

Browse courses on Color Theory

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Create a color wheel and experiment with different color combinations.
Design color swatches to explore the impact of hue, saturation, and value.
Analyze the use of color in real-world designs to enhance your understanding.

Learn Advanced Techniques in Adobe Illustrator

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Expand your skills in vector graphics by following tutorials on advanced Adobe Illustrator techniques.

Browse courses on Vector Graphics

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Find tutorials on advanced Illustrator features, such as pathfinding and gradient mesh.
Follow the steps in the tutorials to enhance your understanding and proficiency.
Experiment with different techniques to create complex and visually stunning designs.

Design a Poster for a Fictional Event

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Apply your design skills to create a visually appealing and informative poster that promotes a fictional event.

Browse courses on Poster Design

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Define the event details, target audience, and message.
Sketch out ideas for the poster's layout and design.
Select and incorporate appropriate colors, images, and typography.
Refine the design to ensure clarity and impact.

Career center

Learners who complete Fundamentals of Graphic Design will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Typographer

The Fundamentals of Graphic Design course would be highly beneficial for Typographers. It provides a solid understanding of typography, including topics like typeface selection, composition, and hierarchy. These principles are essential for Typographers to create visually appealing and effective typographic designs that convey messages clearly and impactfully.

See salaries and explore the career path for Typographer

Illustrator

The Fundamentals of Graphic Design course would be highly beneficial for aspiring Illustrators. It covers essential image creation techniques and principles like typography, composition, color theory, and shape. A thorough understanding of these concepts is crucial for Illustrators to convey ideas and stories effectively through their artwork.

See salaries and explore the career path for Illustrator

Graphic designer

Individuals hoping to become Graphic Designers may find value in a course like Fundamentals of Graphic Design. The course delves into the essential principles of graphic design, which include topics like image creation, typography, composition, color theory, and shape. Having a grasp of these fundamentals can help budding Graphic Designers build a solid base for their future careers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic designer

Logo Designer

Logo Designers will find the Fundamentals of Graphic Design course valuable, as it focuses on core principles of design including image creation, typography, composition, color theory, and shape. These principles are fundamental for Logo Designers to create visually striking and memorable logos that effectively represent brands and businesses.

See salaries and explore the career path for Logo Designer

Creative Director

Individuals aiming to become Creative Directors may benefit from taking the Fundamentals of Graphic Design course. It introduces key principles of graphic design, including topics like image creation, typography, composition, color theory, and shape. These principles form the basis of successful creative direction, making this course valuable for aspiring Creative Directors.

See salaries and explore the career path for Creative Director

UI Designer

A UI Designer will find that the Fundamentals of Graphic Design course may be helpful, as it introduces the fundamental principles of graphic design, including topics like image creation, typography, composition, color theory, and shape. Gaining proficiency in these fundamentals can contribute to a successful career in UI Design.

See salaries and explore the career path for UI Designer

Package Designer

Package Designers should consider taking the Fundamentals of Graphic Design course, as it provides a foundation in essential principles such as image creation, typography, composition, color theory, and shape. Package Designers rely on these principles to create visually appealing and functional packaging that attracts consumers and effectively represents the product.

See salaries and explore the career path for Package Designer

Web Designer

A Web Designer will find the Fundamentals of Graphic Design course useful, as it covers essential principles such as image creation, typography, composition, color theory, and shape. By mastering these fundamental concepts, Web Designers can gain a solid footing in the field, ensuring their designs are visually appealing and user-friendly.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Designer

Design Manager

Design Managers may find the Fundamentals of Graphic Design course helpful, as it covers core principles like image creation, typography, composition, color theory, and shape. Understanding these design fundamentals can assist Design Managers in effectively leading and guiding their teams toward successful project outcomes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Design Manager

Motion Graphics Designer

Motion Graphics Designers may find the Fundamentals of Graphic Design course useful, as it provides a foundation in core principles such as image creation, typography, composition, color theory, and shape. These principles are essential for Motion Graphics Designers to create visually engaging and dynamic animations that capture the audience's attention.

See salaries and explore the career path for Motion Graphics Designer

Production Artist

Production Artists may find the Fundamentals of Graphic Design course helpful, as it covers essential principles including image creation, typography, composition, color theory, and shape. Understanding these principles is key for Production Artists to produce high-quality and visually appealing design materials that meet client specifications.

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Front-End Developer

Front-End Developers can enrich their skillset by taking the Fundamentals of Graphic Design course. Core principles like image creation, typography, composition, color theory, and shape are covered, providing a strong foundation for Front-End Developers looking to enhance the visual aspects of their web development projects.

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UX Designer

UX Designers may benefit from taking the Fundamentals of Graphic Design course, as it delves into the crucial principles of graphic design, such as image creation, typography, composition, color theory, and shape. Having a strong understanding of these concepts can aid UX Designers in creating user interfaces that are both visually appealing and easy to navigate.

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Art teacher

Art Teachers may find the Fundamentals of Graphic Design course beneficial, as it offers insights into core principles such as image creation, typography, composition, color theory, and shape. Understanding these fundamentals can help Art Teachers effectively convey artistic concepts to their students.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art teacher

Art Director

An Art Director will enjoy this Fundamentals of Graphic Design course, as it may provide insights into the artistry and techniques involved in this field. The program will introduce essential design principles such as image creation, typography, composition, color theory, and shape, helping individuals develop a foundation in the area of visual communication, which is important for those looking to excel in Art Direction.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art Director