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

4.8
stars
17,916 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

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.

EC

Feb 1, 2018

Great opportunity to practice. Encouraged to make. First time using vector design program Abode Illustrator. Was hard to listen to all Contrast Section. It would be great if there was more diversity.

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2126 - 2150 of 4,597 Reviews for Fundamentals of Graphic Design

By Aliyah W

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Aug 27, 2020

it's a great course to learn about basic of graphic design, thankyouu

By Wasef M

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Aug 27, 2020

great course, thank you coursera, calarts and mr. michael worthington

By NAISARGI D S

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Aug 23, 2020

excellent course. my thanks and greetings for CALARTS and coursera.

By Nayab R

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Jul 4, 2020

This is really helpful for me to understand basics of graphic design.

By Laura D

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Apr 22, 2020

Es un curso muy bueno pero creo que se vuelve pesado en cierta parte.

By Ebere J U

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Mar 5, 2020

It was amazing doing this course. I've learned a lot and I'm grateful

By Isabel T

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Feb 3, 2020

Real good course to learn all the fundamentals as a Graphic Designer.

By Kateryna D

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Mar 11, 2019

very good course for beginners, especially if you don't skip practice

By Silvia C S

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Feb 2, 2018

Muy completo y fácil de entender.

Very complete and easy to undertand.

By Alex A

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Dec 27, 2017

fantastic instructor who makes everything approachable and memorable!

By Antony S

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Aug 14, 2017

Enjoyable and covering a wide range of basic, foundation information.

By yogesh v

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Dec 18, 2016

Excellent !!! really amazing. i learn a lot. waiting for new courses.

By Jessika G

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Mar 4, 2016

Excellent module with simple and concise explanations.

I recommend it

By Duminicescu E

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Mar 3, 2016

Very good course for starters who want to understand - Good Work ;) !

By Gerardo E C A

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Dec 30, 2015

Nice course! I learn a lot about Graphic Design. Thank you very much.

By Anna O

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Nov 30, 2015

Absolutely clear and rational approach to fundamentals. Thanks a lot!

By Jeannette D

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Nov 17, 2015

It was so much fun to complete this course and I really learned a lot

By Salman N

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Jan 23, 2025

Enlightening course about Graphic Design with practical assignments!

By Ritoja m

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Oct 30, 2024

had fun learning about the course looking forward to enroll for more

By Boy A R

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Oct 29, 2023

very great knowlegde for someone who wants to be a graphic designer.

By Md S H P

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Jul 18, 2023

Thanks to Cal ARTS. Basic concepts of design principles was learned.

By Lücke R

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Apr 7, 2023

Amazing distribution of videos, resources and assignments, loved it!

By Keshav B

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Jan 3, 2023

Got to know about the fundamentals and the basics for graphic design

By Emanueli C L

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May 17, 2022

Muito bom e fundamental para o início dos estudos de design gráfico.

By Sreyan D

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Aug 2, 2021

Excellent introduction to graphic design. Anyone can do this course!