Designing with GenAI and Capstone Project from Coursera

This comprehensive graphic design course empowers you to stay ahead of the curve, harnessing AI tools and creating a professional portfolio that showcases your talent. Analyze competitors, explore design trends, and complete a capstone project that enhances your designs for fictitious gaming company. By the end, you'll be equipped to navigate the design industry with confidence, leveraging AI for creative solutions, and presenting a polished portfolio to potential employers.

This is an introduction course, intended for aspiring graphic designers who want to gain a competitive edge by learning how to leverage AI tools in your design workflow, graphic designers seeking to expand their skills and stay up to date with the latest design trends and technologies, including generative AI, and anyone interested in the future of design. To succeed in this course, you should have basic literacy, familiarity with basic design principles, and access to Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator.

What's inside

Syllabus

Current trends and capstone project

This module empowers you to stay ahead in the fast-paced world of design. Learn how to stay informed on emerging trends, research and analyze competitors' work, and apply these insights to create contemporary designs that stand out. In this module, you'll also work on a capstone project, where you'll apply the skills learned in Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator.

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Provides hands-on experience with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, which are industry-standard tools for graphic design and digital art

Explores generative AI tools like Adobe Firefly and Midjourney, which are increasingly relevant in the field of graphic design

Includes a module on job interview preparation, which is essential for launching a career in graphic design and related fields

Requires access to Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator, which may require a subscription fee for learners who do not already have access

Includes portfolio development, which is a core skill for designers to showcase their work to potential employers and clients

Presented in partnership with Xbox, which is known for its innovative designs and contributions to the gaming industry

Reviews summary

Genai, portfolio, and job prep

According to students, this course offers a highly relevant (positive) exploration into leveraging GenAI tools (neutral) like Adobe Firefly (neutral) and Midjourney (neutral) within graphic design workflows. Learners appreciate the course's strong career focus (positive), finding the modules on portfolio development (positive) and job interview preparation (positive) particularly valuable. The hands-on capstone project (positive) is highlighted as a practical way to apply skills learned in Photoshop (neutral), Illustrator (neutral), and with AI. However, some note that the course assumes basic familiarity (warning) with Photoshop and Illustrator, which might pose a challenge for complete beginners in those tools. Overall, it's seen as a timely course for designers looking to integrate AI and build their career assets, though keeping up with the rapidly changing AI landscape outside the course is implied.

Covers tools in a rapidly evolving AI landscape.

"The AI sections cover current tools, but expect the technology to keep changing."

"It's a good introduction, but staying updated on AI will be necessary afterwards."

"Realize the AI tool specifics might require future learning."

Hands-on project applying PS, AI, & GenAI.

"Applying skills in the capstone project helped solidify my learning."

"Using both traditional and AI tools on the project was insightful."

"The capstone felt like a real-world design task."

Excellent guidance on portfolio & job interviews.

"The portfolio development module was incredibly useful for organizing my work."

"Felt much more confident about design interviews after the prep section."

"The course doesn't just teach tools, but how to use them professionally."

Highlights key AI tools like Firefly & Midjourney.

"Learned how to effectively use Adobe Firefly in my design process."

"The section on Midjourney provided great insights into AI image generation."

"Excited to integrate these AI tools into my own projects now."

Basic familiarity with Photoshop/Illustrator needed.

"If you're a complete beginner to Photoshop or Illustrator, you might struggle initially."

"The course moves quickly if you don't have prior tool experience."

"Would recommend refreshing PS/AI basics before starting this one."

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 Designing with GenAI and Capstone Project with these activities:

Brush up on Adobe Photoshop Skills

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Strengthen your Photoshop skills to prepare for the course's design projects and AI integration.

Browse courses on Adobe Photoshop

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Review basic Photoshop tools and functions.
Practice image manipulation and retouching techniques.
Complete a small Photoshop project, such as creating a composite image.

Review Adobe Illustrator Fundamentals

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Strengthen your Illustrator skills to prepare for the course's design projects and AI integration.

Browse courses on Adobe Illustrator

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Review basic Illustrator tools and functions.
Practice creating vector graphics and illustrations.
Complete a small Illustrator project, such as designing a logo.

Read 'Steal Like an Artist' by Austin Kleon

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Cultivate a creative mindset to better utilize AI tools and generate innovative design ideas.

View Steal Like an Artist 10th Anniversary Gift... on Amazon

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Read the book and take notes on key concepts.
Reflect on how the ideas can be applied to your design process.
Experiment with different techniques to find your own creative style.

Four other activities

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Follow AI-Assisted Design Tutorials

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Learn how to use AI tools like Adobe Firefly and Midjourney to enhance your design workflow.

Browse courses on Generative AI

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Find tutorials on using AI tools for graphic design.
Follow the tutorials and experiment with different techniques.
Apply what you learn to your capstone project.

Create a Mock Portfolio Website

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Practice showcasing your design work in a professional portfolio format.

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Select your best design projects to include in your portfolio.
Design a visually appealing and user-friendly website layout.
Write compelling descriptions for each project.
Get feedback from peers and mentors.

Write a Blog Post on Design Trends

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Deepen your understanding of current design trends and improve your writing skills.

Browse courses on Design Trends

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Research current design trends in the gaming industry.
Write a blog post summarizing your findings.
Include examples of designs that exemplify these trends.

Read 'The Design of Everyday Things' by Don Norman

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Improve your understanding of user-centered design principles to create more effective and engaging designs.

View Things That Make Us Smart: Defending Human... on Amazon

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Read the book and take notes on key concepts.
Reflect on how the principles can be applied to your design projects.
Analyze everyday objects and identify design flaws and improvements.

Career center

Learners who complete Designing with GenAI and Capstone Project will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Graphic Designer

A graphic designer creates visual concepts that communicate ideas. This role uses design tools to produce material for websites or products, often working with a creative team. This course directly builds a portfolio of work relevant to a graphic designer, and the final capstone project can be a key differentiator when applying for graphic design positions. The course directly covers current trends, the use of AI tools, portfolio development, and interview preparation, all vital to success in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic Designer

Digital Artist

A digital artist creates artwork using digital tools. They often focus on illustration, animation, or video games. This course's focus on Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator, as well as generative AI tools like Adobe Firefly and Midjourney, provides critical applications used by digital artists. Additionally, the course's capstone project provides valuable material for a professional portfolio. The mock interview and portfolio presentation module may be useful as a digital artist seeks new roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Digital Artist

Game Artist

A game artist creates the visual assets for video games, including characters, environments, and user interface elements. This highly creative role requires a strong grasp of design fundamentals, an understanding of game development, and expertise in design software. This course, with its focus on Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator, as well as its capstone project for a fictional gaming company, is highly relevant. It is especially helpful due to the exploration of generative AI tools. This course is useful for a game artist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Artist

Marketing Designer

A marketing designer creates visual assets for marketing and advertising campaigns. This role needs a creative eye and a knowledge of design tools, like Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. The course's capstone project, focused on the design of material for a gaming company, is particularly relevant, and the course also emphasizes using AI tools. The portfolio development module can provide a good format for creating a marketing design portfolio. This course is helpful for a marketing designer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Designer

Illustrator

An illustrator creates original artwork for a variety of media, such as books, magazines, and websites. This role requires strong skills in digital art and an ability to adapt illustration styles to different contexts. This course’s instruction in Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator, along with the use of generative AI tools, are key skills for an illustrator. The portfolio development module helps an illustrator present their work professionally. This course is highly useful for an illustrator.

See salaries and explore the career path for Illustrator

Web Designer

A web designer creates the visual layout of web pages, often using design tools like Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. While this course does not include coding, the focus on building a portfolio of graphic design work is very valuable, along with the exploration of current trends and AI tools. The capstone project provides material that can be used on a web design portfolio. This course is helpful for a web designer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Designer

Brand Designer

A brand designer creates the visual aspects of a brand, such as the logo and color palette. They are tasked with crafting an aesthetic that encapsulates a brand's identity and vision, requiring a strong understanding of graphic design and current trends. The course's emphasis on trend analysis, portfolio development, and use of AI tools, including Adobe Firefly and Midjourney, is relevant. The course may be helpful in building the necessary skillset for a brand designer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Brand Designer

Visual Designer

A visual designer focuses on the aesthetics of digital products, ensuring they are visually appealing and effective. This position creates designs for websites, applications, and other projects. The course's training in Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator is a key skill for visual designers. The course also discusses generative AI and workflow, which is relevant for this role. This course may be useful for those pursuing the career of visual designer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Visual Designer

Art Director

An art director is responsible for the visual style and images used in a project. This role often oversees a team of designers and illustrators and must be up-to-date with design trends. The capstone project, which stresses research and analysis of competitors, is a relevant process for an art director. The course's focus on current trends, competitive analysis, and portfolio development can help someone pursuing this path, as an art director must direct the visual style of an entire project. This course may be useful in preparing for this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art Director

Animator

An animator creates moving images for films, videos, games, and other media. This role requires strong visual and storytelling skills, as well as a mastery of digital animation software. The design experience gained via this course, along with the focus on Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator, builds a foundation for animation work, especially using generative AI. The portfolio development module may also be useful, as it teaches best practices for presenting artwork. This course may be helpful for an animator.

See salaries and explore the career path for Animator

Motion Graphics Designer

A motion graphics designer creates animated graphics for a variety of media including film, television, and websites. This role requires an understanding of design principles and a proficiency in digital animation software. The focus on Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator, as well as generative AI tools, directly relates to this kind of work. The course’s capstone project provides material for a portfolio, which is key to landing a role as a motion graphics designer. This course may be helpful for work in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Motion Graphics Designer

User Interface Designer

A user interface designer focuses on the aesthetics of user-facing software and hardware, typically working in conjunction with a user experience designer. A user interface designer creates appealing and effective designs of software and websites. This course's focus on Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator, as well as generative AI tools, is helpful for a user interface designer. This course may be useful, as a strong focus on visual design is required for user interface design jobs.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Interface Designer

Layout Artist

A layout artist is responsible for arranging visual elements on a page or screen. This role involves a strong understanding of design principles and composition, particularly in print or digital media. This course's instruction in Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator is useful, and the focus on creating a professional portfolio is relevant for layout positions. The capstone project offers hands-on opportunity for building layout skills. This course may be helpful for a layout artist.

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Creative Director

A creative director is responsible for the overall vision and creative strategy for marketing campaigns, branding and other projects. This role typically requires experience in design. The course's capstone project, focused on analysis of competitors and trends, is a great fit for a creative director. Additionally this course may be helpful for a creative director who wishes to bring AI to their organization. This course may help build a strong foundation in current trends and analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Creative Director

Instructional Designer

An instructional designer creates learning experiences and educational materials. This role blends design principles with pedagogical concepts in order to build effective training. While this course does not focus on pedagogy, it does provide a good foundation for visual and graphic design concepts and tools that an instructional designer may need. The portfolio development module provides guidance on presenting creative work. This course may be helpful for someone who wishes to be an instructional designer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Designer

Reading list

We've selected two 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 Designing with GenAI and Capstone Project.

Steal Like an Artist 10th Anniversary Gift Edition...

Save

Encourages creative thinking and idea generation, which is essential for leveraging AI tools effectively. It provides a fresh perspective on inspiration and originality, helping designers overcome creative blocks. While not a technical manual, it fosters a mindset conducive to innovative design solutions. This book is best used as additional reading to supplement the course.

Steal Like an Artist 10th Anniversary Gift Edition...

Hardcover

Things That Make Us Smart

Save

Provides a foundational understanding of user-centered design principles. It helps designers create intuitive and user-friendly interfaces, which is crucial for portfolio development and job interview preparation. While not directly related to AI, it enhances overall design thinking. This book is best used as additional reading to supplement the course.

Things That Make Us Smart: Defending Human...

Kindle Edition

Designing with GenAI and Capstone Project

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What's inside

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Genai, portfolio, and job prep

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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