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

4.8
stars
17,036 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

GA

Aug 20, 2018

Very interesting, I liked the format. Easy to follow, nice excercises. It's actually good to cover the basics of design, even if you are not an absolute beginner, and especially if you are self taught

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.

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751 - 775 of 4,401 Reviews for Fundamentals of Graphic Design

By anna n a

Jul 13, 2020

I am thrilled I learned a lot. Very helpful in understanding the fundamentals of graphic designs. I love the assignment, It gives you yo be creative in your own way and style.

By Doğanay Ç

Jul 10, 2020

Since I currently study interior architecture, it helped me to recall my basic skills and learn more about what I missed and improve my current skills. Thank you for everything

By Kimberly M

Apr 13, 2020

This Course is awesome super easy to understand! I'm a beginner and this program really helped so much and opened up my perspective on how to view shapes colors items and text.

By DarkVastlord 3 (

Sep 18, 2023

O curso é excelente! Mesmo sendo gratuito, me surpreendeu muito. As aulas são ótimas, as explicações das matérias excelente. Realmente se aprende muito neste curso. Recomendo!

By Karlo A C C

Feb 13, 2022

Excellent course. Just what I wanted. Coming from a exact science career and never heard of any of this wasn't a problem in the course. Everything taught was clear and useful.

By Megha S

Aug 11, 2020

I like how the course is structured and gives a holistic view of graphic design. I loved the course and It really helped me in understanding basic things about graphic design.

By Mona A

Apr 27, 2020

I really learned a lot from this course, while also having fun. I'm looking forward to complete the Graphic Design Specialization, and complete more studies in graphic design!

By John M

Aug 15, 2019

Michael Worthington was a great instructor. His silky calm energy maintained the pace and tone of the course. The assignments were engaging, thought-provoking, and formative.

By Shubham Y

Nov 16, 2017

It's a very great course for the beginners. Though this course introduces you to only to the tip of an iceberg, it deals with the basic fundamentals aspects of graphic design.

By Marina D P

Aug 20, 2016

Ha sido un curso fantástico para la introducción al diseño gráfico. El temario estaba dividido adecuadamente para la progresión del aprendizaje y la admisión de conocimientos.

By Hezekiah A

Mar 23, 2016

I am a better graphic designer today, with a prior knowledge of how to design a standard graphics for the Global market. thanks to California institute of the art and Coursera

By Anna S B

Mar 2, 2016

Great start for graphic design beginners! Lessons are well organized and well explained. The assignments are the best part of the course and very helpful to explore the topic.

By Ahmedjamil S

Sep 18, 2023

I have been looking for this for a long time and always wanted to learn and understand the design in deep. Not it looks possible after taking this first module. Thanks CalArt

By Anastasiia M

Jul 28, 2023

Thank you for the opportunity to take this course! I am satisfied with the basic knowledge I have gained. It helped me to understand design, typography, and contrasts better.

By Manisha A

Jun 1, 2021

I loved the course overall. The explanation of Michael sir and practical examples helped me in thinking in different point of views. This course added a new perception to me.

By Salem F A

Sep 22, 2019

This course is the portal to know Graphic design specialization, you'll learn a lots information about GD, you need this course to start your journey in Graphic Design world.

By Michael J P

May 25, 2019

Great lectures and material overall. I really feel like the topics covered are true to the title of the course and have given me a greater understanding of design in general.

By Sergiy Y

May 3, 2017

I have learned a lot of basic knowledge from Fundamental of Graphic Design. This course is very usefull. I would recomend everyone who wants to try himself in graphic design!

By Claire

Dec 30, 2015

Great course with a great range of introductory information with a good selection of exercises to complete. I learnt a lot from this course and had fun doing the assignments.

By Rubens A d S F

Jul 6, 2021

Excelent course! I recommend it to everyone interested in learning more about graphic design that does not know anything or just a little. The teacher is clear and didactic.

By Sadie B

Jun 13, 2020

I've been doing design work for several years, all self taught. Taking this class allowed me to gain knowledge on the basics and in turn, made me a better artist. Thank you!

By Bharath R

Oct 3, 2019

Amazing course!!!. Never thought i can be a graphic designer and I have never came across this kind of course. Also, will definitely recommend this course to all my friends.

By Ethan U

Jan 3, 2017

Fantastic overview of Graphic Design theory. Essential to underpin technical knowledge and inform design decisions while using the myriad apps and solutions available today!

By Rita A s

Aug 22, 2023

i learned so much as abeginner , and it is really a great course to consider if you are into graphic , i wanna thank in particulat the great professor Michael Worthington .

By Nelly M

May 27, 2023

Buen curso para aprender las bases del Diseño gráfico, todo muy bien explicado.

Great course to learn the fundamentals of Graphic Design, everything was very well explained.