Online 2D Design Course

1 - Shape and Form

Through composition, a design can be playful, serious, humorous, or moving. In Lesson One, you'll explore the concept of two-dimensional shape, a foundation principle in graphic design. You'll look at the way leading artists and designers use positive and negative space, creating intriguing effects through open, closed, and divided space.

Project - Spatial explorations

2 - The Elements of Design

Too big, too small, or just right? Lesson Two explores elements of design, looking at how unified compositions are created through proximity, repetition, continuation, and color. Balance and rhythm are explored as creative compositional strategies and you'll learn how to use the "Golden Section," discovered in 5th Century Greece, in contemporary compositions.

Project - Unity, balance, rhythm, and proportion

3 - Energy and Movement

How do designers attract the eye? By creating compositions with energy and movement. In Lesson Three, you'll learn how to create a strong focal point and move the viewer's eye along a chosen route in your work. You'll look at how overlapping planes energizes a layout through push and pull.

Project - Poster design

• Develop an understanding of concepts in two-dimensional design, including positive and negative space, and how to test a composition for empty or crowded space.
• Create three compositions showing an understanding of open, closed, and divided negative space.
• Create a sense of unity in a composition with proximity, repetition, continuation, and underlying color.
• Balance a composition by using color, value, shape, and position.
• Incorporate repetitive, alternating, and progressive rhythm into a composition.
• Create four compositions that demonstrate an understanding of unity, balance, rhythm, and proportion.
• Create a focal point in a composition by using contrast, placement, or eye contact.
• Identify how a viewer's eye is directed through a composition by line or organization of information.
• Identify how a composition is affected by the visual push and pull of overlapping planes or the the viewing distance and angle of the work.
• Create an ad design uses a focal point and movement to direct the viewer's eye through the ad.

Interested in this course? Scheduled and self-paced enrollment options are available. Ask Admissions about taking this course as part of a degree or certificate program.

Software and Supplies

To take this course you'll need:

• Computer with Internet connection.
• Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop or equivalent programs.
• Basic experience in the above software.

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