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

4.8
stars
17,036 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 20, 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

CS

May 9, 2018

An ok course for beginners. A bit too basic for someone who has already had experience in design, but is great anyway cause it breaks things back down to the simplest parts to help you remember roots.

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1976 - 2000 of 4,402 Reviews for Fundamentals of Graphic Design

By Maram B

Apr 6, 2020

I liked this course this much it taught me new things about graphic design

By Peter S

Apr 1, 2020

It's a must for someone who wants to learn a little bit more about design.

By Moza E

May 9, 2019

I found this course enjoyable and easy to follow. very useful information.

By Christine M

Oct 10, 2018

Great first look at graphic design -- just what it says: the fundamentals!

By Mohamed G W

Aug 19, 2017

I Learned more from this course such as how to think as a Graphic Designer

By YASARLAR Y

Feb 8, 2024

Well organized, easy to follow and a great step to start the fundamentals

By Millena I V

Oct 2, 2023

Amei o curso! A parte teórica é bem explicada e os exercícios são ótimos.

By The H C

Jun 27, 2023

The course is exactly as stated: strong fundamentals. Highly recommended.

By Fauziyah U

Oct 2, 2022

the course exposed my mind to a different perspective on graphic design.

By David H M

May 10, 2021

Excelente curso para enriquecerse de conocimiento sobre el diseño gráfico

By Muhammad R

Dec 28, 2020

It is very useful course to build a basic knowledge of Graphic designing.

By Erandi D

Dec 21, 2020

This is a very good course. This instructor explains the materials well.

By Lucas M M

Aug 17, 2020

Excelente, la metodología y tanto la teoría como practica son muy buenas.

By NAKUL V B

Jul 20, 2020

this cores help me to under stance what is fundamentals of graphic design

By Ani C

Jul 11, 2020

This course is an excellent approach to the great world of graphic design

By MHAILING L

Jun 14, 2020

Very Good! I really learned interesting and helpful things in this course

By Cristina M

May 8, 2020

Great introduction to graphic design! Loved the pace and the assignments.

By Mohamed A e w

Apr 28, 2020

beautiful fundamentals , thanks for the lessons, and all this information

By Filza M

Apr 8, 2020

So helpful and so interactive way of teaching. Gained a lot of knowledge.

By Michael K

Feb 24, 2019

I learned a lot on graphic design here and I really enjoyed the homework.

By JOSE M B S

Oct 11, 2017

CUrso muy adecuado para personas que deseen iniciar en el diseño grafico.

By Amanda W

Mar 20, 2016

Enjoyable course that really does cover the fundamentals. I have a much g

By Ferd V

Mar 19, 2016

What an Excellent Way to Re-Cap!!!!

Thanks Cal Arts....

Thanks Coursera....

By Sebastian M

Mar 8, 2016

Great basic concepts of graphic design and balanced number of assignments

By Marta F

Feb 20, 2016

Great course! Lots of usefull information. I used it to refresh concepts.