Graphic Design

What You’ll Learn From This Course

• Develop expertise in utilizing critical vector design tools such as the pen tool and shape builder tool within Adobe Illustrator for optimal graphic design outcomes.
• Grasp the fundamentals of effective logo design and advertising principles to craft captivating campaigns and logos. Optimize your ability to create compelling visual identities and promotional materials.

• Explore the historical evolution of fonts and typefaces while gaining proficiency in the art of font pairing. Enhance your knowledge of typography’s rich history and develop the skill to harmoniously combine fonts for effective visual communication.

• Acquire knowledge about the evolution of graphic design styles over the past 130 years, delving into the historical progression of visual aesthetics and artistic approaches within the field.

• Master the sequential stages of becoming a graphic designer through a step-by-step process that encompasses skill acquisition in areas such as design principles, software proficiency, typography, color theory, and practical application.

Course Description

Graphic Design Master Class: Learn GREAT Design

Do you want to learn all the skills and techniques you need to create incredible designs?

Do you want to know the process of creating logos and restaurant menus?

Are you intimidated by learning Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign and want to learn through practical, real-world projects? Than This class will be for you!

We will extensively review typography, color theory, layout and composition, how to use photos in design, photo manipulations and editing, magazine layout design, branding, and logo design, just to name a few.

We also learn the basics of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign and do projects with real-world applications. Every designer needs to know and master these programs, and this course makes sure you know the essential tools to power through amazing projects.

In Adobe Photoshop, we will review photo editing and manipulation techniques like how to cut objects out, duotones, changing color on objects, and the Liquify tool, and we will create a compelling YouTube thumbnail with our newly learned Photoshop skills as well as an entire book cover design project.

In Adobe Illustrator, we will master the pen tool by hand-tracing simple and complex shapes. We will explore the power of the shape-builder tool, and at the end of this section, we will design a complete logo. There is an entirely new introduction and tools section that has been added where we work through a 7-page vector tracing worksheet and, in the end, create a complex vector illustration using our newly learned Illustrator vector tools. Lastly, we will put together an event flyer to practice our layout skills and even work through the branding process to create a logo, business card, and letterhead for a business.

We will create a magazine layout in InDesign and learn the master pages tool to drastically speed up your design workflow when working with multiple page layouts.

We will talk about branding basics: what makes a good logo? How do you extend your logo or brand to other marketing materials?
I designed this extensive course to be gentle enough for newcomers to design but detailed enough for everyone to get a ton out of it.

Who this course is for:

• Anyone interested in creating compelling and great designs
• Those interested in learning Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign (Affinity Designer Too!)
• Those wanting to understand graphic design basics and theory paired with real-world projects and applications
• Those looking to learn logo design, branding techniques and execution
• Anyone wanting to become a graphic designer, part-time or full-time, or those who need design skills to elevate their current careers
• Those looking for a solid graphic design foundations course with the depth of an intermediate-level course