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

4.8
stars
17,463 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

EJ

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I had a lot of fun in this course. I learnt some extra bits of information related to graphic design and I think it's a great start for beginners as well as good practice for intermediate and experts!

MB

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This course is awesome and I recommend it to anybody who is interested in making design.

I learned so many thing and I'm ready to jump through the next course.

Thank you Calarts and Coursera.

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1151 - 1175 of 4,507 Reviews for Fundamentals of Graphic Design

By Lydia D

Jun 12, 2024

This was a very informational course and was super easy to complete. I can’t wait to continue other courses in this specialization.

By Gillian S

Dec 10, 2018

brilliant

great to have a certificate and more knowledge in stuff i've been doing for years to promote my business ventures

THANK YOU

By Shivansh S

Mar 30, 2016

A great course with a simple approach for the beginners. It was the class to not only learn, but enjoy with whatever is being done.

By Russ B

Oct 21, 2020

Love love love!! It was so much fun to be getting back into my art studies after all of these years. I just wish I could continue.

By onyi o

Aug 10, 2020

I learned a lot in color theory and the uniqueness of simple shapes to create world-class logos. it also taught me to be creative.

By Matt A

Apr 19, 2020

Excellent course. Presented clearly and creatively. Looked forward to the Design Briefs. I learned a lot and enjoyed every moment.

By Ragia A S I R

Oct 21, 2023

I enjoyed the course ... very clear ... made me work and searching develop my knowledge... it's an excellent course ... thank you

By anel o

Apr 13, 2023

I started with no knowledge or background of design. This course helped to lay foundation where upon I can on build. Thank you!

By Marina J

Feb 8, 2023

Really enjoyed this course. I appreciate it taking us back to the basics and create interest in all the basics of Graphic design.

By Minh N N

Oct 9, 2022

Perhaps one of the best course about graphic design you can take on the internet right now. I wish I could have known it sooner.

By A B

Sep 12, 2022

Excelente curso para iniciar en los fundamentos del Diseño. La metodologia es muy buena y mantiene un buen ritmo de aprendizaje.

By VINICIUS D S C

Mar 1, 2022

It's amazing how the course demonstrates how to create great things with simple principles. I felt like Daniel Sam in Karate Kid.

By SIVA K

Feb 21, 2022

This course offers a good knowledge of the basics and instructions of graphic design, and this course is very good for beginners.

By trang m

Jul 31, 2021

This course is so awesome, they give lots of useful and important information which helps me boost my design skill and thinking.

By shruti b

Sep 2, 2020

It really helped me to understand the basic principles of graphic design. The assignments given was helpful to improve my skills.

By Mudire T

Mar 8, 2020

I love the course! It's easy to do the homework and understand the class. And I have learned new things in a short amount of time

By Khawaja N

Jul 7, 2019

For someone with no background knowledge this was a easy and fun course to get familiar with the basic elements of graphic design

By Rand N

Aug 7, 2018

I love this course

it is very enjoyable and contains all the information necessary for the design

I would recommend it to everyone

By Nene W

Feb 5, 2017

really enjoyed this course and learnt so much. a must for a understanding into business brand and creating a brand you will love.

By Carol C

Feb 20, 2016

The concepts are communicated in a clear and organized way. Great visual examples are provided for understanding and inspiration.

By isha

Feb 6, 2016

It is a brilliant course. It is creative, innovative, fun and educational.

Be ready to be surprised. Loved it and enjoyed it more.

By Martin m n

Mar 17, 2023

Learning graphic design with Coursera was the best experience. I was able to learn new skills and techniques to boost my career.

By Martina P

Jul 24, 2022

I loved this course, It inspired me and taught me to get out of my comfort zone in graphic design to produce distingushed works.

By Rebecca J

Apr 20, 2022

the assignments are chosen very well and really reflect what is taught in the courses. I learned a lot by doing the assignments.

By Caguia, M C B

Sep 29, 2021

It really is a great startup course for those aspiring graphic designers! Easy to understand and the assignments are well given.