Applying for January classes? App/scholarship deadline extended through December 9th. Click here
Search Icon A magnifying glass icon.
Search Icon A magnifying glass icon.
Subject
Admissions

DEGREES

Next Start:
January 6, 2025
Next Start:
January 6, 2025
Explore Graphic Design Degree Courses
Discover Sessions Graphic Design Hub

Professional Certificates

Explore Graphic Design Career Courses

DEGREES

Next Start:
January 6, 2025
Next Start:
January 6, 2025
Explore Web Design Degree Courses
Discover Sessions Web Design Hub

Professional Certificates

Next Start:
January 1, 2025
Explore Web Design Career Courses

DEGREES

Next Start:
January 6, 2025
Explore Digital Media Degree Courses
Discover Sessions Digital Media Hub

Professional Certificates

Explore Digital Media Career Courses

DEGREES

Next Start:
January 6, 2025
Explore Digital Media Degree Courses
Discover Sessions Digital Media Hub
You can deepen your software skills and keep up with the latest Adobe CC updates in our online Digital Arts courses.
Contact Admissions

DEGREES

Next Start:
January 6, 2025
Next Start:
January 6, 2025
Explore Digital Photography Degree Courses
Discover Sessions Digital Photography Hub

DEGREES

Next Start:
January 1, 2025
Explore Fine Arts Degree Courses

DEGREES

Next Start:
January 6, 2025
Next Start:
January 6, 2025
Explore Illustration Degree Courses
Discover Sessions Illustration Hub

Professional Certificates

Next Start:
January 1, 2025
Explore Illustration Career Courses

DEGREES

Explore Advertising & Marketing Degree Courses
Discover Sessions Advertising & Marketing Hub

Professional Certificates

Explore Advertising and Marketing Career Courses

CERTIFICATES

Next Start:
January 1, 2025
Next Start:
January 1, 2025
Explore Sessions Career Courses
Professional Cert PLUS
Next Start:
January 1, 2025
Next Start:
January 6, 2025
Next Start:
January 6, 2025
Next Start:
January 6, 2025
Explore Sessions Bachelor's Degrees
Next Start:
January 6, 2025
Next Start:
January 6, 2025

DES 207: Layout Design

Creative approaches to print page layout design

Whether it's a magazine spread, a subway poster, or even a Web page, nothing connects or communicates like a great layout. In this advanced layout design course, you'll tackle advanced-level projects that push your design skills to the limit. Working with a design pro, you will explore creative applications for lines and shapes, learning how to use or break the rules of layout. Course projects include a 4-page magazine spread, a book jacket design, and a calendar.

Graphic Design | 1.5 credits | Next Start:
January 6, 2025
Kayla Langley calendar design
Student work by Kayla Langley.
Visit the Student Gallery.

About This Course

Project-Based Learning

Creative studies in print page layout design include a magazine spread, book jacket cover, and calendar design.

What Skills Will I Develop?

Students in this course can expect to learn to:

  • Develop an understanding of the structural foundations of layout design, creating a grid and placing fundamental elements in a page layout.
  • Create an editorial layout for a 4-color design magazine, using a grid system as a foundation: manuscript, column, modular, or hierarchical.
  • Identify and apply geometric approaches to layout design, using ratios, proportions, lines, and shapes.
  • Create page layout templates using geometric proportions: golden rectangle, golden spiral, or root 2 rectangle.
  • Develop an understanding of the principles of balance, negative space, and focal points in a composition.
  • Develop an understanding of techniques for unifying a page design, including framing, page bleeds, layering, and proximity.
  • Explore and apply alternative layout techniques and approaches to composition.
  • Design a calendar using alternative layout techniques and/or approaches to composition.
What Software and Supplies Do I Need?

  • Computer with Internet connection.
  • Adobe Photoshop and InDesign.
  • Basic experience in the above software.

Course Instructor(s)

The course is taught by the following instructor(s):

Course Outline

    1. Structural Foundations

      Don't let anyone tell you otherwise, the basis of creative layout design is organization. The first lecture will explore the structural foundations of layout design—how designers use grid systems to unite text, images, and other page elements within an overall visual communication. Case studies on A.M. Cassandre and Josef Müller-Brockmann explore how the masters constructed fluid designs on firm foundations. You'll learn how elements such as margins, markers, modules, and flowlines help to unify a page or spread. Then you'll examine applications for the common grid systems used by designers: manuscript grid, column grid, modular grid, and hierarchical grid.

    2. Geometric Design

      Order is a necessary element in all design and a complement to creativity. This week, we will examine creative applications for a geometrical approach to page composition. Classic proportional systems are explored, including the golden section, golden spiral, Fibonacci sequence, root 2 rectangle, and the rule of thirds. You'll also investigate how to use lines and shapes as graphic elements to create a sense of order. Lines, curves, circles, angles, bars and squares, and patterns are all explored as possible tools for structuring a layout. The lesson concludes with a discussion on the importance of balance, negative space, and strong focal points.

    3. Structure and Deconstruction

      The final lecture explores ways of moving beyond traditional layout structures and using a more intuitive, experimental approach. Unconventional structural approaches discussed will include contextual framing, page bleeds, layering, proximity, and hypnotic wandering. Type layout concepts discussed will include 3D type, chunking, text columns, and the vexed question of legibility. Finally, you'll explore some Post-Modern layout techniques: freeform, surreal collage, 3D environments, fragmentation, graffiti, cutouts, overprinting, and conceptual design.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How Do The Courses Work?

Our courses are project-based and instructor-led. In each course you’ll complete a series of lectures, projects, discussions, and critiques designed to stretch your creative skills. Weekly assignment deadlines keep you on track, and with no set-logins or Zoom meetings, you can build your studies around your schedule.

Who Are The Instructors?

Our courses are developed and taught by our industry-leading faculty of creative professionals. This means that you’ll learn in-demand skills, get feedback on your work, and build a portfolio of creative work. View our Student Gallery for featured student projects.

When Can I Start?

Classes start January, April, and August, and this course can be completed as part of a 15-week term in 8 weeks. College credit from this course can be applied to a range of degree and certificate programs at Sessions College.

How Do I Register?

To register for a program, complete our program application. To register for this course on an individual basis, please contact our admissions team at admissions@sessions.edu. An Admissions Advisor will contact you to setup your enrollment.

Fall 2024 Course Tuition and Fees
Tuition$300/credit
Registration Fee* $200
Total Course Price $650

Registration fees are nonrefundable after 5 days from enrollment.

Is Sessions College Accredited?

Yes. Since 2001, Sessions College has been accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). The Distance Education Accrediting Commission is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency and is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

©2024 Sessions College for Professional Design  All rights reserved

Terms & Conditions       Privacy Policy