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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!

DM

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It's amazing how this course breaks down graphic design to fundamentals that we hardly even think of. It acquaints you with the building blocks, and creates a foundation that'll take you a long way!

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1176 - 1200 of 4,499 Reviews for Fundamentals of Graphic Design

By OUMAIMA O

Dec 1, 2020

I enjoyed discovering this course and I have learned a lot of things thank you coursera for sharing good informations with us

By akshita j

Jul 3, 2020

The course was planned accurately, was very informative. After completing this course I want to learn more about graphic design.

By Susan L

Mar 21, 2019

Really good intro to design. Easy to follow, videos were interesting and informative and the assignments were not too demanding.

By GRESHA C

Oct 15, 2018

its the best course ever. the peers are so honest and friendly

assignments are so good. cant wait for more courses from CAL ARTS

By MARISOL P V

Aug 28, 2017

Genial! Una aproximación bastante clara y precisa, los materiales visuales y las explicaciones son simplemente geniales. Lo amé!

By Dasha Y

Aug 7, 2017

This course was extremely interesting and useful! I found out lots of things, which I will definitely use in my design-activity.

By Víctor L G R

May 30, 2017

This valuable course gave me tools for creation and the most important for me: to value and discern in the vast field of design.

By Kartik M

Feb 9, 2016

This course is cool! Good explanation of the concepts and the assignments designed in such a way that a feed back is guaranteed.

By Wenqi X

Nov 28, 2015

A solid introduction on the big picture of Graphic Design, I am so motivated to dive deep into more details by taking the class!

By Laura H

Jul 16, 2023

Really lovely introduction to graphic design. Comprehensive and detailed. Additional projects were fantastic. Learned a lot.

By Hala A

Nov 21, 2021

such a great course, as a self taught designer, I've leaned alot of new things. I planning to continue in this specialization.

By Danilo D T

Aug 18, 2020

O curso é focado em ensinar design gráfico na prática, mostrando os fundamentos de maneira eficaz para seguir a especialização.

By Maria I A P

Jun 6, 2020

Es una muy buena manera de aprender a desarrollar habilidades manuales y creativas, se aprende mucho, fue una gran experiencia.

By gragze n

Feb 21, 2020

Best teachers from Coursera. Now I have some deep knowledge of graphic design.n thanks to Coursera and their teachers and team.

By Carla B

Feb 13, 2020

Very well understandable, the professor has an amazing way of explaining things and the work load was manageable and quite fun!

By Natalia S N

Oct 1, 2016

Great course. I took this first course without an interest in the specialization, but now... I want to finish all four courses!

By frank p

Dec 28, 2015

Will be better again if we can have a return from the pedagogic team on the differents achievement done.

Merry Christmas and HNY

By Nicole P

Oct 16, 2015

Love this class on Graphic Design learned different types of imagemaking never new the different types or what they were called

By sumayyah

Aug 20, 2024

great course, simple and easy to follow, with lots of different techniques and aspects of graphic design that is being taught!

By Jane L

Jul 27, 2022

Course was informative and easy to follow! It is a great introduction to basic components required in creating digital images.

By essam f

Aug 31, 2021

The course have very valuable information, which will be a great turning point in the artistic career if it is taken seriously

By Randy M

Apr 21, 2021

Great course. Instructor was very well spoken and thorough. Had fun and was able to add a few finished pieces to my portfolio!

By María L R L

Apr 15, 2021

Un curso básico para comenzar el camino de diseño gráfico o bien para refrescar los conocimientos ya adquiridos. Lo recomiendo

By Pallika L

Mar 27, 2021

I've developed the needing skills for graphic designing in this course . All assignments were fun and interesting to complete.

By Dyani A

Jan 26, 2021

I recommend it to everyone who want to pursue in graphic design. CalArts is a fantastic art college for anyone who’s into art.