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Principles of Graphic Design

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About Course

Principles of Graphic Design

Introduction:

Graphic design is about representation of ideas and concepts for communication or expression. It requires a visual medium of representation. A graphic design communicates through the visual language of dots, lines, shapes and colours.
When we write something on a paper with black ink, we ‘read’ it because we see it first and then understand the meaning.
Reading is nothing but first and foremost, a visual perception.

NOTE: This course is out to give you a deeper understanding of what graphic design is and the different tools or Sofware’s that are been used.

This course’s main objective is to show anyone, even a total newbie, how to master Graphic Design in a short period without using a lot of technical jargon. I promise that once you complete this course, you’ll be equipped with the information you need to create an appealing, creative design.

About the Course

This course will teach you the principles of graphic design, so that you can start using different design software’s. You will discover the different design software’s that you can use to design with.

Who is this Graphic Design course created for?

Have you ever wanted to create a professional-looking Logo, Poster, Book-cover, flyer but weren’t sure where to begin? You can now. Principles of Graphic Design is a complete course for everyone, regardless of technical competence. This course makes no assumptions about prior knowledge!

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What Will You Learn?

  • Graphic Design Course Outline:
  • CHAPTER 1
  • 1) Introduction to the Course
  • CHAPTER 2
  • 2.0) Graphic Design Theory and Principles
  • 2.1) Basic Design Principles
  • -Pattern and Rhythm
  • - Movements and Emphasis
  • -Proportion and Harmony
  • - Variety
  • 2.2) Color Theory
  • -Color Qualities, Color Harmony and Color Psychology
  • 2.3) Typography
  • - Type Anatomy
  • - Type Classification
  • - Readability (Legibility, Size, Line Length, Leading, Alignment, etc)
  • - Orphans and Widows
  • CHAPTER 3
  • 3) Design Theory in Action
  • 3.1) Print Design
  • 3.2) Digital Product Design
  • 3.3) Digital Design
  • 3.4) Brand Design
  • CHAPTER 4
  • 4) Design Tools
  • 4.1) Design and Workflow
  • 4.2) Color and Design Assets
  • 4.3) Technology
  • 5) Introduction to Adobe Illustrator
  • 5.1) Explaining All 80 Adobe Illustrator Tools in less than 20mins
  • 6) Introduction to Adobe Photoshop

Course Content

Introduction to Principles of Graphic Design
Graphic design is about representation of ideas and concepts for communication or expression. It requires a visual medium of representation. A graphic design communicates through the visual language of dots, lines, shapes and colours. When we write something on a paper with black ink we ‘read’ it because we see it first and then understand the meaning. Reading is nothing but first and foremost, a visual perception.

Graphic Design Theory and Principles
Graphic design theory and principles are the foundation of effective and aesthetically pleasing visual communication. These theories and principles guide designers in creating designs that convey messages clearly and impactfully. Below is an overview of key concepts: ________________________________________ Core Graphic Design Principles 1. Balance o Symmetrical Balance: Equal visual weight on both sides of a composition, creating harmony and stability. o Asymmetrical Balance: Uneven distribution of elements that creates dynamic and interesting visuals while maintaining balance. o Radial Balance: Elements radiate out from a central point, often creating a circular pattern. 2. Contrast o Emphasizes differences between elements, such as light vs. dark, large vs. small, or rough vs. smooth. o Adds visual interest and draws attention to focal points. 3. Alignment o Ensures elements are arranged in an organized and cohesive manner. o Creates clean, structured designs and guides the viewer’s eye. 4. Repetition o Reinforces consistency and unity by repeating elements like colours, fonts, or shapes. o Creates patterns and rhythm in the design. 5. Proximity o Groups related elements together to establish relationships and improve readability. o Reduces clutter and creates a logical flow. 6. Hierarchy o Guides the viewer’s attention by emphasizing the most important elements. o Achieved through size, colour, contrast, and placement. 7. Space o Refers to the areas around and between elements (negative or white space). o Allows the design to breathe and prevents overcrowding. 8. Colour o Evokes emotions and sets the tone of the design. o Includes principles like the colour wheel, complementary and analogous colours, and colour harmony. o Uses colour theory to create aesthetically pleasing and meaningful combinations. 9. Typography o The art and technique of arranging type to make written language legible, readable, and visually appealing. o Focuses on font choice, size, line spacing, kerning, and alignment. 10. Movement o Creates the illusion of motion or guides the viewer’s eye through the design. o Achieved through lines, shapes, and strategic positioning of elements. ________________________________________ Theories in Graphic Design 1. Gestalt Theory o Explains how humans perceive visual elements as unified wholes rather than individual parts. o Includes principles like figure-ground, similarity, proximity, continuity, and closure. 2. Colour Theory o Studies how colours interact and influence perception. o Explores psychological effects of colours and their use in branding and storytelling. 3. The Golden Ratio o A mathematical ratio (1:1.618) found in nature and art that creates visually pleasing proportions. 4. Grid Systems o Frameworks that help structure content and align elements consistently. o Aids in achieving balance and order. 5. Rule of Thirds o Divides a composition into nine equal parts using two horizontal and two vertical lines. o Places focal points along these lines or their intersections for balance and interest. ________________________________________ Practical Applications • Brand Identity: Using principles to create cohesive logos, typography, and colour schemes. • User Experience (UX): Applying alignment, hierarchy, and proximity for intuitive navigation. • Marketing Materials: Utilizing contrast, color, and repetition to grab attention and maintain consistency. ________________________________________ Mastering these principles and theories enables designers to create work that is both functional and visually engaging, making them essential for effective communication in various media.

Color Theory in Design
Color Theory in Design Color theory is a framework for understanding the relationships between colors and how they interact with one another. It is a critical aspect of design that helps create aesthetically pleasing compositions, evoke emotions, and convey messages effectively. ________________________________________ The Basics of Color Theory 1. The Color Wheel The color wheel is a circular diagram that organizes colors based on their relationships. Developed by Sir Isaac Newton, it serves as a foundation for understanding color interactions. • Primary Colors: Red, blue, yellow o Cannot be created by mixing other colors. • Secondary Colors: Orange, green, purple o Created by mixing two primary colors. • Tertiary Colors: Yellow-orange, red-orange, red-purple, blue-purple, blue-green, yellow-green o Created by mixing primary and secondary colors. 2. Color Properties Each color has three main properties: • Hue: The pure color (e.g., red, blue, green). • Saturation: The intensity or purity of a color (vivid vs. dull). • Value: The lightness or darkness of a color. ________________________________________ Color Harmonies Color harmonies are combinations of colors that are visually appealing and balanced. 1. Complementary Colors: o Opposite each other on the color wheel. o High contrast creates vibrant and dynamic designs. o Example: Red and green, blue and orange. 2. Analogous Colors: o Colors next to each other on the color wheel. o Creates harmonious and calming designs. o Example: Yellow, yellow-orange, orange. 3. Triadic Colors: o Three colors evenly spaced on the color wheel. o Balanced and vibrant. o Example: Red, blue, yellow. 4. Split-Complementary Colors: o One base color and two colors adjacent to its complement. o Offers contrast without being as intense as complementary schemes. o Example: Blue, yellow-orange, red orange.

Typography in Design
Typography in Design Typography is the art and technique of arranging type to make written language legible, readable, and visually appealing. It plays a critical role in design, impacting how information is perceived and understood. ________________________________________ Key Elements of Typography 1. Typefaces and Fonts: o Typeface: A family of fonts with a consistent design (e.g., Times New Roman, Helvetica). o Font: A specific style, weight, and size of a typeface (e.g., Helvetica Bold, 12pt). 2. Font Categories: o Serif: Fonts with small decorative strokes (serifs) at the ends of letters.  Example: Times New Roman, Georgia.  Use: Traditional and formal designs. o Sans-Serif: Fonts without serifs, featuring clean and modern lines.  Example: Helvetica, Arial.  Use: Modern and minimalistic designs. o Script: Fonts mimicking handwriting or calligraphy.  Example: Brush Script, Pacifico.  Use: Elegant or playful designs. o Display: Decorative and attention-grabbing fonts for headlines or logos.  Example: Lobster, Bebas Neue.  Use: Branding and unique designs. o Monospace: Fonts where each character takes up the same width.  Example: Courier, Consolas.  Use: Coding or technical documents.

Design Theory in Action
Design Theory in Action refers to the application of design principles, strategies, and frameworks to real-world situations. It is the process of turning theoretical ideas about design into tangible, effective outcomes in various fields such as product design, architecture, graphic design, and user experience (UX). This involves the creative application of concepts like functionality, aesthetics, usability, and human-centered design. Here's how design theory can be applied in action: 1. User-Centered Design (UCD) • Theory: Focuses on understanding the users' needs, behaviors, and preferences to create products or services that are intuitive, accessible, and provide a satisfying experience. • Action: Conducting user research (interviews, surveys, usability testing) and using the insights to design solutions that fit user requirements. For example, a UX designer creating a website with a simple, easy-to-navigate layout based on user feedback. 2. Iterative Design Process • Theory: Emphasizes continuous improvement through repeated cycles of prototyping, testing, and feedback. • Action: In product design, this might mean launching a minimum viable product (MVP), gathering user feedback, refining the design, and then iterating on the product until it meets users’ needs effectively.

Design Tools
Design tools Design tools are software programs and platforms used by graphic designers, web designers, UX/UI designers, illustrators, and other creative professionals to bring their ideas to life. These tools help streamline the design process, enhance creativity, and facilitate collaboration. Below is an overview of popular design tools categorized based on their main uses: 1. Graphic Design Tools These tools are primarily used for creating visual content like logos, posters, illustrations, and marketing materials. • Adobe Photoshop o Use: Image editing, digital painting, and photo manipulation. o Features: Advanced retouching, layer-based editing, vector graphics, and extensive plugin support. Photoshop is the industry standard for photo editing and graphic creation. • Adobe Illustrator o Use: Vector graphic design, logo creation, and illustration. o Features: Precision drawing tools, support for scalable vector graphics (SVG), typography tools, and seamless integration with other Adobe Creative Suite tools. • CorelDRAW o Use: Vector graphics and illustration. o Features: Similar to Illustrator but more user-friendly with powerful vector tools, photo editing, and website design capabilities. • Affinity Designer o Use: Vector and raster graphics design. o Features: Affordable alternative to Adobe Illustrator, with powerful tools for logo design, icons, illustrations, and web graphics. • Canva o Use: Simple graphic design for social media, posters, and presentations. o Features: Easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface, pre-made templates, and online collaboration options. Ideal for non-designers or quick projects. Each of these design tools plays a significant role in different stages of the design process, whether you're working on a graphic design, building a digital product, or animating a 3D object. The choice of tools depends on your specific needs, the type of project, and your workflow preferences. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced designer, there’s a tool available to help you streamline your process, improve your productivity, and create high-quality design work.

Design Technology
Design Technology Design Technology refers to the tools, platforms, and methodologies used to create, enhance, and optimize design processes and outcomes. It encompasses both the digital and physical tools that designers leverage to bring their creative ideas to life efficiently and effectively. With the evolution of technology, design has become increasingly integrated with various technologies, allowing for innovative, dynamic, and user-centered creations across industries like graphic design, product design, UI/UX design, and more. 1. Key Areas of Design Technology 1.1. Software Tools Designers rely on a wide range of software to create visuals, prototypes, websites, and digital experiences. These tools cater to various aspects of design, from creating graphics to managing workflows. • Graphic Design Software: These tools are essential for creating digital graphics, illustrations, branding materials, and visual elements. o Adobe Photoshop: Image editing, photo manipulation, and graphic creation. o Adobe Illustrator: Vector-based design, logo creation, and digital illustrations. o CorelDRAW: Another vector graphics editor used for creating designs and illustrations. • UI/UX Design Tools: Focused on creating interactive user interfaces, experiences, and prototypes. o Figma: A collaborative interface design tool that allows designers to create, prototype, and share designs in real time. o Sketch: A vector-based design tool primarily used for digital designs like apps and websites. o Adobe XD: An interactive design and prototyping tool for web and mobile experiences. • Web and App Design Tools: These tools are used for designing and building websites and applications. o Webflow: A website-building platform that allows for both design and development, using a visual interface. o WordPress: A content management system used to build and manage websites, often with themes and plugins for design customization. o Bootstrap: A front-end framework that makes it easier to design responsive websites quickly. Design technology has transformed the way designers work, enabling them to create innovative, effective, and engaging experiences across.

Introduction to Adobe Illustrator
The complete beginners guide to Adobe Illustrator

Introduction to Adobe Photoshop (Photoshop for Beginners)
Adobe photoshop explained in less than 20mins. The most important things to take note of.

Final Quiz
Answer All Questions

Certificate of Completion/Achievement

Add this certificate to your resume to demonstrate your skills & increase your chances of getting noticed.

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Student Ratings & Reviews

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6 years ago
Learned so much from this course! Michael was clear and easy to follow. Very comprehensive and fun. Took me from knowing nothing about blender to making full scenes. Would highly recommend!
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