Graphic Design Basics

Curious about graphic design or wanting to strengthen what you have tried to figure out on your own? This course provides a practical foundation in graphic design, interweaving design principles with their direct application in the industry-standard software for vector-based design, Adobe Illustrator.

The course begins by teaching you the basics of Illustrator, so you have a solid understanding of the interface and its basic tools. You’ll then apply this knowledge to trace and alter a variety of images of your choosing.  

Expanding on this foundation, you will then delve a bit deeper into Illustrator in order to recreate an existing logo, and then sketch and design one of your own. You’ll learn more advanced tools in Illustrator revolving around color, shapes, repetition, blending, and 3D effects that set the stage for designing your own business card and event poster. 

All throughout the course, you’ll explore the fundamental concepts that underpin effective design, examining how elements such as color, composition, typography, and imagery interact to convey compelling visual messages. You’ll also learn reasons behind the occasional breaking of design rules by artists and designers, fostering a deeper understanding of the creative process. 

The goal of the course is to give you real-world design experience in Illustrator, begin to cultivate a strong design sensibility, and provide you with a strong baseline from which to pursue future graphic design projects. 

What you will learn:

✔ Navigate Adobe Illustrator comfortably and use the basic and some of the more advanced tools
✔ Make informed decisions based on design principles
✔ Recreate a popular logo and design one of your own
✔ Design your own business card
✔ Design a poster for an event