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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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1876 - 1900 of 4,597 Reviews for Fundamentals of Graphic Design

By Yulia S

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Nov 26, 2018

Great course! Now I start to create and don't affraid to make mistakes. Thank you!

By Anna S

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Nov 16, 2018

This course got me excited and encouraged me in discovering graphic design basics!

By Madeleine V

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Oct 24, 2017

I thought that this course was very effective in what I wanted out of this course.

By Zuzanna J

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Mar 21, 2016

Everything is well explained, and the assignments are interesting and fun to make.

By Trevor R

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Feb 9, 2016

A great introduction into the basics of graphic design. I would highly recommend.

By Abanob R

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Mar 12, 2024

من احسن الكورسات اللى اخدتها وغيرت نظرتى لحاجات كتير حواليا مكنتش بشوفها فى الاول

By Karen M

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Aug 6, 2023

An excellent introduction to graphic design. Highly recommend taking this course.

By Ariel L X L

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May 23, 2023

Thanks for the flexible deadlines and for the prompt cert! I love you coursera :)

By Samuel T

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Dec 15, 2022

It is so amazing course Thank you California Institute of the arts and Coursera.

By fcastilloch

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Oct 28, 2021

This course was great! Very informative and a perfect mix between fun and theory.

By Tamara A V N

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Aug 29, 2021

As the name indicates, the course provides the basic knowledge of graphic design.

By Sadia

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Aug 16, 2021

Perfect for beginners looking to dip their toes into the world of graphic design.

By Alexis S C

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May 12, 2021

This was an exceptional class to be able to achieve. Thank you Professor Michael!

By keit126

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May 10, 2021

The course has tremendously helped me build a good foundation! I really loved it!

By Klaudia W

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Mar 16, 2021

Thank you for this course. It was an amazing time. So many new things. Thank you.

By Elisabeth C

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Aug 20, 2020

Great course covering the fundamentals - great assignments that get you thinking.

By PRASHANT S Y

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Aug 2, 2020

Learned new concepts and procedures of converting or creating fantastic graphics.

By Andrea R Á P

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Jul 29, 2020

Very nice course. It teaches you basic concepts and the exercises are very fun :)

By Shatarupa D

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Jul 6, 2020

The examples in the videos are really educative and helps learn more practically.

By MARIA D L P O M

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Jun 14, 2020

Excellent introduction to graphic design. It is a short course but very complete.

By Bisher A

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Jun 2, 2020

I'm very glad I did this course, and I was thoroughly engrossed in the exercises.

By Noelia T G

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May 9, 2020

it's a perfect course to start with design studies, complete and well sintetized.

By Giovanny V

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Aug 25, 2019

Great introduction to graphic design... well explained, clear concise instruction

By Dominic R

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Nov 26, 2018

Clear descriptions. Course starts with the basics and expands in a logical manner

By ana s

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Oct 30, 2018

its wonderful. learners also get practical knowledge to use their graphic skills