Learn and apply graphic design principles, color, and typography for better designs! Are you frustrated with the quality of your graphic designs, or wonder how graphic designers create effective content? Or do you simply want to learn more about graphic design or get started as a graphic designer?
In this course, you will learn and then apply design principles to create various graphic designs, including an online advertisement, an effective infographic, a gig poster with type as a design element, and an illustrative postcard design. You will learn how color schemes can be created and applied in graphic designs. You will also learn how effective typography can improve your designs as well.
You will use the industry-standard software for photo and raster editing (Photoshop), illustration and vector art (Illustrator), and publication design (InDesign) in this course to apply what you learn.
Course Structure
In the first few sections, you will learn about the overarching benefits of this course and then learn about various design principles such as proximity, alignment, repetition, contrast, balance, negative space, and rhythm. You will apply these design principles right away so you more effectively learn them. This will also allow you to learn design techniques.
In the color section, you will learn about effective color and then how to create color schemes in Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator. You will create a color wheel using Illustrator.
In the typography section, you will learn type terminology in order to know how to apply effective type. You will also learn best practices in editing and applying type.
All support files are included for the follow-along exercises and projects on design principles, color, typography, and projects. Bonus files are also included, such as photo and Photoshop brushes.
Instructor Qualifications
I’ve worked in graphic design at newspapers, magazines, and an award-winning advertising design firm. I’ve been managing editor of two graphic design magazines and a freelance graphic designer. For the past eight years, I’ve also taught graphic design at the university level.
Let’s get started learning and creating!
This course will enable you to be come a better graphic designer, whether you’re new to graphic design or simply want to improve. I’ll see you in the course!
Master Design Principles for Better Design: Part I
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1Welcome! What Will You Gain From this Course?Welcome to Graphic Design Mastery! In this course, you will learn graphic design principles and practices to make amazing graphic designs. You will learn how to use color and typography effectively. You will also learn how to use Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator to put what you learn into practice. I've worked as internet development director at an award-winning advertising design firm, as webmaster and advertising layout specialist at a newspaper, as managing editor at two graphic design magazines, and I'm currently a freelancer and full-time university graphic design professor. So you'll benefit from my experience as well as you create amazing and awesome graphic designs. Let's get started!
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2How to Get Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign
Instructions on how to get the software programs used in this course to illustrate the design principles, color theory, and best practices in typography.
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3Adobe Creative Cloud Versions and Customizing the Toolbar in Illustrator
I explain how to customize the toolbar in Adobe Illustrator, and how I use Creative Cloud, before you get started practicing with the software.
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4Become Familiar with the Graphic Design Software + Some Quick Wins
In this lecture, you'll complete a few graphic design activities to become familiar with Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator.
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5Mac vs. PC: What to Know Regardless of Brand
In this lecture, I explain the minor differences (where Preferences is located and keyboard shortcuts) between Mac and PC in the Adobe software. During the course, I include keyboard shortcuts for both Mac and PC. I have used a Mac in the field (at an advertising design firm, a newspaper, and magazines) as well as a PC (library system and university). Regardless, the software looks pretty much the same, as I explain in this lecture. This lecture also has a supplemental resource: Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign keyboard shortcut handouts.
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6Join Our Facebook Group and Community for Graphic Design Feedback and Critique!
Join our Facebook group and community to get feedback from me and others!
Master Design Principles for Better Design: Part II
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7Graphic Design as Powerful, Beautiful, Visual Communication
In this lecture, you will be introduced to the purposes of graphic design and how it is similar to and differs from visual art.
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8Elements of Graphic Design
In this lesson, you will learn about the primary elements of graphic design.
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9Composition: Arranging for Aesthetics
In this lecture, you will learn how to use effective composition, including using a grid, the rule of thirds, and other compositional principles and practices.
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10[ACTIVITY] Adjust Composition in a Photo and Layout
In this activity, you will learn how to use effective composition in Adobe Photoshop and InDesign.
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11The Beauty and Functionality of Alignment
In this lecture, you will learn the utility and beauty of alignment and why aligning text, images, illustrations, and other elements helps make a design look more professional and can help improve readability and flow of the design.
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12[ACTIVITY] Design an Aligned Grid Layout
You will learn how to design an aligned grid layout using InDesign in this activity. Aligned text columns look more professional and aligning text columns with other elements creates an aesthetically pleasing layout.
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13The Clarity of Negative Space or White Space
You will learn how negative space or white space can add breathing room and emphasis or focus in a graphic design.
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14[ACTIVITY] Use Negative Space Effectively
You will learn how to place elements on a page for effective negative space, using InDesign and Photoshop.
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15The Clarity of Proximity and Grouping
You will learn how proximity and grouping can help bring clarity and effectiveness to a graphic design.
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16[ACTIVITY] Apply Proximity Effectively
You will learn to apply proximity and grouping in a design for better communication in a graphic design, using InDesign.
Amaze with the Beauty of Color: Color Theory and Application
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17Hierarchy and Dominance for Guiding a Design
You will learn how hierarchy and dominance in graphic design leads to order and emphasis in layouts or designs.
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18[ACTIVITY] Apply Hierarchy and Dominance for Effective Design
You will learn to apply hierarchy and dominance to a design in Photoshop and layout in InDesign to create an effective example visual communication.
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19Scale and Proportion for Relevance and Relation in Design
You will learn how using scale and proportion can create visual relevance and comparison in designs.
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20[ACTIVITY] Use Scale and Proportion for Effective Designs
You will learn how to effectively apply scale and proportion in Illustrator.
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21The Beauty of Symmetry, Asymmetry and Rhythm
You will learn how rhythm, symmetry, and asymmetry can produce effects graphic designs.
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22[ACTIVITY] Use Rhythm, Symmetry, and Asymmetry in Design
You will apply effective rhythm, symmetry, and asymmetry to produce effective designs in InDesign and Illustrator.
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23The Pleasing Effect of Repetition and Consistency
You will learn how repetition of elements and consistency in design can create an aesthetically pleasing look to a design.
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24[ACTIVITY] Apply Effective Repetition and Consistency
You will apply effective repetition and consistency in a design, using InDesign.
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25The Excitement of Variation and Contrast
You will learn how variation and contrast can help a design become aesthetically pleasing. Adding a reasonable amount of different types of colors, photos, illustrations, and other elements, or varying spacing, placement, font styles, and other attributes, can add interest to a design
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26[ACTIVITY] Apply Effective Contrast and Variety in Graphic Design
You will apply contrast and add variety to design in Photoshop and InDesign.
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27Unity and Gestalt in Graphic Design
In this lesson, you will learn about unity and achieving a gestalt in graphic design.
Typography: Understand and Apply Typographic Design
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28Learning about Color and Applying Color in Graphic Design
You will be introduced to the awesome power of color in graphic design and its applications.
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29Useful Color Terminology and Color Modes to Know and Apply
You will learn color terminology and its applications in graphic design.
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30Note: Finding Legacy Color Swatches
This is a quick note about where to find swatch collections like Pantone in the swatches panel in Photoshop.
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31Applying the Beauty of Color Harmony
You will learn how to apply color harmony and create color schemes in designs in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
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32[ACTIVITY] Creating a Custom Color Wheel
In this lesson, you will create a color wheel using Adobe Illustrator.
More Practical Graphic Design Projects and Exercises
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33Communicating with Beautiful Type: Typography's Form and Function
You will learn about the beauty and power of typography in a graphic design context in this section.
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34Type Terminology for Adjusting and Applying Type
You will learn type terminology, including terminology related to adjusting and applying type.
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35Typefaces and Best Practices
You will learn how relevant and effective fonts can improve a graphic design.
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36[ACTIVITY] Create a Quote Design for Type Adjustment Practice
You will practice how to adjust type in Illustrator to create a type-based quote design.
Conclusion: Graphic Design Summary and Extra Resources
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37Introduction to Practical Graphic Design Projects
You will learn how Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator can work together to create effective and relevant graphic designs.
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38[ACTIVITY] Design a Clipping Mask Photo Text Online Ad
You will apply effective proximity and spacing principles to create an effective clipping mask photo text online ad in Photoshop.
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39[ACTIVITY] Create an Infographic with Effective Color
Using Illustrator, you will apply effective color and spacing principles to produce an infographic that communicates effectively.
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40[ACTIVITY] Create a Gig Poster with Type as a Design Component
Using Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, you will apply effective design, color, and typographic principles to produce an effective gig poster that uses type as a design component.
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41[ACTIVITY] Create an Illustrative Postcard Design, Part 1
You will apply effective design, color, and typography principles to produce an illustrative postcard design using Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. Techniques learned include drawing over a photo, adding effective gradients, and applying a clipping mask effect using a pattern and a photo.
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42[ACTIVITY] Create an Illustrative Postcard Design, Part 2
You will apply effective design, color, and typography principles to produce an illustrative postcard design using Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign, in part 2 of this project. Techniques learned include drawing over a photo, adding effective gradients, and applying a clipping mask effect using a pattern and a photo.