Graphics Design
Create Stunning Graphic Designs in 4 weeks
Graphic Design is all around us! Words and pictures, the building blocks of graphic design are the elements that carry the majority of the content in both the digital and printed world. As graphic design becomes more visible and prevalent in our lives, it becomes more important in our culture. Our graphic design course will teach you the fundamental principles of graphic design through visual examples. Beyond the basics, you will also learn tips and tricks to become a professional graphics designer. Who is this course designed for? This class is for those who are new to design generally or those who have basic knowledge and are willing to raise the bar on what they know already. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be expected to:
- Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the elements of graphic design.
- Understand and communicate in the language of graphic design
- Use of software such as Corel Draw/Illustrator and the Internet
- Students will learn to solve problems using critical thinking
- Approach briefs from the real-world perspective
At the end of this course you will have learned how to explore and investigate visual representation through a range of image-making techniques; have understood basic principles of working with shape, colour and pattern; have been exposed to the language and skills of typography. You will have a core set of graphic design skills that you can apply to your own projects.
Course Outline
Introduction to the Graphic Design Industry/Equipment
- Historical Evolution of Graphic Design
- Study of the various design movements (Arts & Craft Movement, Arts Noveau, Destijl, Bauhaus, etc.)
- Overview of Industry standard design software (Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator)
- Exploring the Future Trends in Graphic Design
Elements of Design
- Understanding Visual Elements: Line,Shape, Color, Value, Form, Texture, Space.
- Applying Principles of Visual Hierarchy
- Balancing Elements within Composition
- Using Contrast and Harmony
- Emphasizing Focal Points
- Examples of Design elements in real world applications
Principles of Design
- Grasping the Principles of Design: Balance, Contrast, Emphasis, Harmony, Movement/Rhythm, Repetition, Unity, Variety.
- Achieving Balance in Design
- Developing a Sense of Visual Rhythm
- Implementing Unity and Variety
- Enhancing Design with Gestalt Principles
- Application of design principles with real world examples
Typography
- Anatomy of Letterforms and Their Components
- Key typographic terms (font, typeface, kerning, leading, etc.)
- Evaluating the difference between typeface and fonts
- Exploring the different typeface categories
- Adhering to Typographic Standards and Guidelines
- Effective Use of Typography in Design
- Choosing & Pairing fonts
Colour Theory
- Basics of colour theory
- Colour Wheel & Its significance
- Creating colour palettes
- Colour psychology
Adobe Illustrator Basics
- Overview of Adobe Illustrator
- Tour of Illustrator interface
- Introduction to essential tools (select, move, text, shape, color)
- Introduction to the Pen tool
- Creating simple shapes and design
Creating Designs For Print & Web
- Platform specific design
- Creating graphics for post, cover and stories
- Hands-on exercises for social media graphics (Poster, flyers, Magazine Cover, CD Covers etc.)
Photo Editing/Manipulation
- Cropping out images
- Photo Retouching
- Photo compositions Assignment/Fictitious briefs
Logo Design Basics & Brand Identity
- Principles of Effective logo design and examples
- Creating a sample logo In illustrator
- Working with grids in logo design
- Cropping, rotating & resizing images
- Designing for scalability and versatility
- Understanding Brand Identities
- Creating visual elements for branding using mockups
- Maintaining consistency across materials
Image File Formats
- Different image file formats (JPEG, PNG, GIF, etc.)
- Choosing the right format for different purposes
- Balancing quality and file size
Career Guidance & Industry Preparation
Project, Mentorship and Assessment