Beginner's Graphic Design Course
This is a structured 2-week course for beginners in graphic design. This course provides foundational knowledge, practical skills, and hands-on experience with essential design tools and principles
Beginner's Branding Course
Duration:2 Weeks
Format:Daily Lessons with Assignments and Practical Exercises
Week 1: Introduction to Graphic Design
Day 1: Graphic Design Basics
Lesson: What is Graphic Design? Key Principles and Elements
Reading: Introduction to Graphic Design (Chapter 1)
Assignment: Write a brief essay on the role of graphic design in communication and marketing.
Day 2: Design Principles
Lesson: Understanding the Principles of Design (Balance, Contrast, Alignment, Repetition, Proximity)
Reading: Design Principles Overview
Exercise: Create a simple design using these principles (e.g., a poster or flyer).
Day 3: Colour Theory
Lesson: Basics of Colour Theory, Colour Wheel, and Colour Harmony
Reading: Colour Theory for Designers
Exercise: Develop a colour palette for a fictional brand or project
Day 4: Typography
Lesson: Introduction to Typography, Fonts, and Typefaces
Reading: Typography Basics
Assignment: Design a typographic poster using different fonts and typefaces
Day 5: Tools and Software Overview
Lesson: Introduction to Graphic Design Tools (Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Canva, etc.)
Reading: Overview of Graphic Design Software
Exercise: Set up and explore the basic functions of Adobe Illustrator or Canva.
Day 6: Creating Basic Shapes and Icons
Lesson: Working with Shapes and Icons in Design Software
Reading: Creating and Using Icons
Exercise: Design a set of basic icons or symbols using vector tools.
Day 7: Layout and Composition
Lesson: Understanding Layout and Composition Techniques
Reading: Layout Design Basics
Exercise: Create a layout for a simple brochure or flyer using grids and alignment techniques.
Week 2: Practical Design Applications
Day 8: Designing a Logo
Lesson: Logo Design Principles and Best Practices
Reading: How to Design a Logo
Exercise: Create a logo for a fictional company, focusing on simplicity and memorability
Day 9: Working with Images
Lesson: Basics of Image Editing and Manipulation (Adobe Photoshop)
Reading: Introduction to Image Editing
Exercise: Edit a photo by adjusting colors, cropping, and applying basic filters.
Day 10: Infographics and Data Visualisation
Lesson: Creating Effective Infographics and Visual Data Representations
Reading: Infographics Design Principles
Exercise: Design an infographic that visualizes data on a topic of your choice.
Day 11: Social Media Graphics
Lesson: Designing Graphics for Social Media Platforms
Reading: Social Media Design Best Practices
Exercise: Create social media posts and cover images for a brand using Canva or similar tools
Day 12: Designing for Print vs. Digital
Lesson: Differences Between Print and Digital Design, Resolution, and File Formats
Reading: Print vs. Digital Design
Exercise: Design a print flyer and a digital ad, ensuring appropriate resolution and format for each medium.
Day 13: Branding and Consistency
Lesson: Applying Branding Across Different Media
Reading: Maintaining Brand Consistency
Assignment: Develop a set of branded materials (business card, letterhead, social media banner) for your fictional brand.
Day 14: Review and Portfolio Development
Lesson: Review of Key Concepts and Final Project Preparation
Activity: Compile your work into a portfolio, including designs from each exercise.
Presentation: Present your portfolio and receive feedback on your designs.
Course Materials:
Access to design software (Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Canva, etc.)
Articles, eBooks, and tutorials on graphic design principles and techniques
Assessment:
Daily assignments and practical exercises
Final portfolio presentation
This course provides a thorough introduction to graphic design, blending theoretical knowledge with practical skills to help beginners build a solid foundation in the field.This course structure provides a balanced mix of theory and practice, ensuring that beginners gain a solid understanding of branding principles and can apply them effectively.