Graphic Design Course

Lessons 1 & 2:  New media, culture & technologies

Design influences and is influenced by culture, and communicates ideas through a variety of media and technology. So what encapsulates the spectrum of graphic design? Where did it come from? And where it is going?

We will be discussing these areas as well as personal ideologies such as – what
graphic design means to you? Where do you want to be in the near future? How can you take steps towards it from now?

Finally we will take a look at some software & media options to find the one which is best suited to you, and how you will use it throughout this course.

All progress will be written and kept in a visual journal which we will also see some examples of.

Lesson 3: Creative processes & creative thinking

As a designer you will constantly be asked to come up with creative solutions to problems on the spot, rather than waiting for inspiration to hit randomly. This is why it is valuable to understand the theories behind creative thinking, where we will explore useful tools to help thinking and problem solving in a lateral way, finishing with a group workshop to use these tools first hand.

Lesson 13: Design methods

The problems a designer will be asked to solve are varied, but the process in finding a solution follows a very similar structure. We will discuss in a group session what you think should be included in your own design process and then compare to some tried and true methods. We will also discuss how to better understand the client brief, industry and audience – What is important for you as a designer vs what is important for the client / audience to see

Lessons 14 & 15: Reverse engineering & presenting workshop

Every decision you make as a designer needs purpose, and following our design methods class we have a good idea of the process involved in making a good design. Here is where we will attempt to work backwards, by taking a finished design and decoding what we think the rational was behind its success. We will also discuss how some less successful designs could have been improved and how to critique in a constructive way.

We will then use these skills for personal tasks where we will practice some
presenting skills as well.

Lesson 16: Symbols & visual communication

The symbols we recognise in our everyday lives without needing any explanation is astounding. We have created an image-based language which has the potential to be universal; but what is actually common worldwide, and what are those symbols which we need to be more careful with? Different cultures have different sensitivities and perception, which also changes according to the context within which these symbols live. What do we need to look for when designing symbols?

What can we learn from successes and failures of existing one?

Lessons 17 & 18: Logomarks & logotypes

When we say ‘logo’ we think of one thing, but there are many sub-categories of logos which exist which help us to identify which route to take in the beginning phases of logo development. Here we will take a look at various logo-design routes and start the process of creating our own mark through a guided workshop.

Lessons 19 & 20: Brand application

When we say ‘branding’ we usually imagine a logo, but a brand is so much more than just its logo. This section is all about how we can communicate a brand’s identity through so many other avenues. We will discuss consistency – about why it is valuable but also similarly overrated, and how one can navigate these constructs in a professional and tasteful way. Finally we will create some hands on pieces with guidance and critique

Lessons 21 & 22: Final presentations

This is the opportunity for each student to prepare a presentation discussing their journey throughout this course, where we will have a session dedicated to guidance in preparation for the presentations, as well as an other session for the presentations themselves. Here you will have the opportunity to learn how to communicate your ideas as well as learn from the different experiences from your classmate’s and open your horizons to possibilities you did not see before