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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Fundamentals of Graphic Design by California Institute of the Arts

4.8
stars
17,988 ratings

About the Course

Graphic Design is all around us! Words and pictures—the building blocks of graphic design—are the elements that carry the majority of the content in both the digital world and the printed world. As graphic design becomes more visible and prevalent in our lives, graphic design as a practice becomes more important in our culture. Through visual examples, this course will teach you the fundamental principles of graphic design: imagemaking, typography, composition, working with color and shape... foundational skills that are common in all areas of graphic design practice. I don't just want you to watch a video of someone talking about design, I want you to MAKE design! If you want to be a designer you have to be a maker and a communicator, so this course will offer you lots of opportunities to get your hands dirty with exercises and with more practical projects. At the end of this course you will have learned how to explore and investigate visual representation through a range of image-making techniques; understand basic principles of working with shape, color and pattern; been exposed to the language and skills of typography; and understand and have applied the principles of composition and visual contrast. If you complete the course, along with its optional (but highly recommended) briefs, you will have a core set of graphic design skills that you can apply to your own projects, or to more deeply investigate a specialized area of graphic design. To succeed in this course you will need access to a computer. You can complete this course without one but it will be tougher. Access to, and a beginner's level knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite programs, such as Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign will help you, especially if you want to complete the optional briefs....

Top reviews

GA

Aug 21, 2018

Very interesting, I liked the format. Easy to follow, nice excercises. It's actually good to cover the basics of design, even if you are not an absolute beginner, and especially if you are self taught

AR

Apr 18, 2016

very good introductory course. i enjoyed the assignments, they are not overwhelming, easy to start, and the optional ones offer great opportunity to dig little deeper into graphic design fundamentals.

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1751 - 1775 of 4,609 Reviews for Fundamentals of Graphic Design

By Godwin O

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Oct 27, 2019

I'm so passionate about this course. Would definitely come back to finish up someday....

By Kanya S

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Aug 16, 2018

Excellent and effective course which builds up our creative way of thinking and reasoning

By Mustapha L

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Jan 1, 2018

it's so helpful for me , it guides me to know fundamentals of graphic design, thank you !

By Charlie S

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Feb 6, 2017

Loved the teacher, loved course work, so happy I found this course. Well worth the money!

By Deleted A

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Jun 14, 2016

This course inspired me a lot. I enjoyed learning graphic design. The assignments are fun

By Courtney A

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Mar 7, 2016

I learned a lot and it was an excellent test of my foundational Graphic Design knowledge.

By Jolie A

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Jan 16, 2025

This course was easy to understand and taught me many things that I didn't already know!

By Noha S

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Dec 3, 2023

This is very strong and useful course. I really learned so many things and enjoyed alot.

By S U H

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Nov 23, 2020

All aspects are perfect,I could learn more than I expected. Lecture is more professional

By RYU

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Sep 27, 2020

Great course. Clear and concise review of the fundamentals of Graphic Design. Thank you!

By Juan P P

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Aug 22, 2020

It is great to use the basic design elements, they are impregnated in everything visual.

By Shreya B

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May 28, 2020

It's a great course for beginners. Michael Worthington is an absolutely amazing teacher.

By Dewan M N

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May 10, 2020

Thank you for introducing graphic design from roots and making me think about it deeply.

By Aleksandar S

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May 3, 2020

It is an amazing experience. I learned a lot off new things that will enhance my skills.

By Mereck H

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Nov 3, 2019

This course teaches your eye how to see things as a designer,

It's widening the horizon .

By Margaret B

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Oct 6, 2019

I very much enjoyed this introductory course and will continue on in the specialization!

By Anna S

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Sep 13, 2019

Thank you for the amazing course! Very cool, helpful exercises and informative lectures.

By Carmen A

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Aug 17, 2019

Is an excellent course, very professional and good planned. I learned a lot. Thanks you.

By thomas d

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Jan 19, 2019

Great course, I learnt a lot, the teacher is passionate, precise and clear. Thanks a lot

By Nathalia C

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Oct 11, 2018

I really enjoyed everything about this course, I'm so happy I had the chance to take it.

By Tashira R - C

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Jan 18, 2018

I loved it, very informative and truly a great starting point for all the other courses.

By Kelly F

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Sep 13, 2017

This class taught me very clear ideas, it inspired me, it has made me a better designer.

By Jeson B

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Feb 25, 2017

Impressive. Great Idea and professionalism. An excellent foundation of starting student.

By Dee M

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Sep 14, 2016

Great, great course. Really comprehensive overview of the fundamentals of graphic design

By Baglan D

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Feb 17, 2016

Great introduction that give the learner the foundations and lets them explore by doing.