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Learn Online
Advanced Graphic Design
Build a portfolio through challenging graphic
design projects |
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Graphic design is the art of visual communication, the visual
representation of ideas or concepts.
How do you succeed as a graphic designer? Study the
movements that shaped today's visual world, and learn how to conceptualize
projects, reinvent clichés, create balanced layouts, distill
complex information, and motivate your audience.
In this advanced, hands-on course, you'll build skills for the toughest
graphic design projects. The focus of this class will be on creating
2D digital design projects. Class assignments include postage design,
annual report layout, poster and book design, an art poster, and
a direct mail piece.
Read an interview
with Thom McKenna on logo design. |
| Tuition: $829 US 
If you are interested in a group enrollment of two or more students
please visit our group/corporate sales website.
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Faculty:
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Thom McKenna is the owner/creative director
of a New York-based graphic/multimedia design firm ... get
bio
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Prerequisites:
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| To take this course, you'll need: |
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Computer with Internet connection (56 Kbps modem
or faster). |
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Adobe Photoshop or equivalent digital imaging
program and Adobe Illustrator |
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Basic experience in graphic design and the software
packages needed for this course.* |
| * If needed, the following courses can help you
meet the above requirements: |
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Photoshop
Basics
Illustrator
Basics
Color
Theory
Design
and Composition
Fundamentals
of Typography |
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Objectives:
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Students can expect to learn how to: |
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Develop an understanding of 19th and 20th century art movements that influenced the development of graphic design.
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Develop a retro stamp design in a 20th century art style. |
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Develop an understanding of principles that are helpful to developing a professional approach to the design process. |
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Create a cover and inside spread for a corporate annual report. |
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Develop an understanding of design fundamentals, classic themes and mechanisms, and different approaches to representation. |
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Design a children’s book cover, exploring classic themes or mechanisms. |
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Explore and apply approaches to color and composition in design. |
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Create a poster design addressing concepts in composition and color. |
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Develop an understanding of information design concepts and how the principles of perception affect design projects. |
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Create an airport map designing landmark icons and legends. |
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Identify and explore the applications of advocacy, protest, and humor in graphic design. |
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Design a direct mail piece for a social or political cause. |
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Outline: |
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LESSON 1 Movements
in Design What is this thing called graphic design? Lesson
One explores the economic, cultural, and political context of today's
graphic design styles. The lesson begins with an analysis of graphic
design: its role in visual communication, cultural influence, political
origins, role in business innovation, and governing aesthetic principles.
Then you'll take a journey through some of the major 20th century
movements that shaped today's visual landscape, including Expressionism,
Art Nouveau, Avante Garde, Modernism, Bauhaus, Futurism, Surrealism,
and Post-Modernism. In the assignment, you'll tackle a retro stamp
design project to demonstrate your understanding of a design style. |
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| LESSON
2 Thinking Design At a fundamental level, design is
about problem-solving: finding a solution to a client or employer's
problem. Lesson Two examines concepts, principles,
and working strategies for thinking through your designs to ensure
that your projects start out on the right track. Global design
principles and the role of consistency, constancy, and the exposure
effect are discussed, as well as how the creative
process fits into professional working practices. In the assignment,
you'll tackle an annual report design that enables you to put the
principles of consistency and constancy into practice. |
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LESSON 3 Constructing
Creativity Graphic designers as the
blue-collar workers of the art world. Lesson Three looks at the
building blocks of a design project: investigating the nature of
creativity, mapping out stages in the design process, and looking
at how cliches can be transformed to create something new. You will
study some tried-and-true methods used—and reused—to
orchestrate design elements into a distinctive and memorable
message. In the assignment, you'll tackle a book cover design that
demands a creative, playful approach.
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LESSON 4 Color and Composition
Every graphic designer's skillset
should include a mastery of color and composition. Lesson Four focuses
on proportion, balance, and perspective, looking at examples of
geometrical composition that have stood the test of time and are
considered design classics. Architects and engineers utilize geometry
throughout the planning and organization of projects, so you'll
borrow a leaf from their book. Also discussed are some major concepts
in effective color usage. In the assignment, you'll tackle a poster
design that stretches your composition skills. |
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| LESSON
5 Envisioning Design The true test
for any graphic designer is the ability to condense a mass of complex
information and graphic content into a simple message. Maps, diagrams,
posters, and advertisements all require designers to "envision
information" by creating a clear, aesthetically balanced communication.
Lesson Five examines techniques for effective information design:
catching the eye, highlighting, type design, layering, closure,
figure-ground relationships, and more. In
the assignment, you'll tackle a map design that involves some information
design decisions. |
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6 The Context of Design Graphic design derives meaning
from its context. As a designer, you must apply everything you know
about the physical, cognitive, social, and cultural world to create
your communications. Lesson Six examines how to use social/political
messages in your media environment—politics, satire, and wit—to
shape your work. The course closes with a design veteran's thoughts
on the core competencies for a career in graphic design. In
the assignment, you'll tackle a direct mail piece that requires some
passionate, off-center design approaches. |
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Tuition: $829 US
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