Will I earn university credit for completing this program?

<text variant="body1">No, this course is a non-credit professional development program. While it is offered by CalArts, a world-renowned arts institution, it does not carry formal university credit. However, the skills gained and the projects produced can be used to build a professional portfolio for college or job applications.

How long does it take to finish the Fundamentals of Graphic Design course?

<text variant="body1">The course is designed to be completed in approximately 15 hours. Because it is 100% online and self-paced, you can adjust the schedule to fit your needs. Most learners complete one module per week over a four-week period, spending roughly 3–4 hours on videos and assignments each week.

What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Is financial aid available?

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

Fundamentals of Graphic Design

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Fundamentals of Graphic Design

This course is part of Graphic Design Specialization

Instructor: Michael Worthington

894,327 already enrolled

Included with

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

18,396 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

8 hours to complete

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

18,396 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

8 hours to complete

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

What you'll learn

Master the fundamentals of color theory by implementing visual rhythm and repeating patterns within professional design projects.
Apply principles of composition and visual hierarchy using scale, weight, direction, texture, and spatial awareness.
Develop professional typography skills through precise text typesetting and creative experimentation with letterforms.
Practice advanced imagemaking by creating a series of original visuals using diverse analog and digital design techniques.

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

6 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer

Taught in English

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Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Graphic Design Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 4 modules in this course

The Fundamentals of Graphic Design course offered by CalArts on Coursera provides a comprehensive introduction to the essential building blocks of visual communication. This practice-oriented program focuses on four primary pillars: imagemaking, typography, shape and color theory, and the principles of composition.

Unlike software-specific tutorials, this curriculum emphasizes the act of making and the mastery of design principles. It encourages participants to transform abstract concepts into tangible design projects. Learners will explore diverse techniques for visual representation and gain a technical understanding of how to manipulate rhythm, pattern, and contrast to organize information effectively. Please note that this course focuses on conceptual and formal principles rather than technical software instruction. While projects may be completed using tools like Adobe Creative Suite, specific tutorials for Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign are not provided. The curriculum is designed to build foundational design proficiency that is applicable across any analog or digital toolset. By the end of the program, learners will have developed a core set of graphic design skills applicable to personal creative projects or further specialized study in professional design. This course serves as a critical first step for any aspiring communicator looking to master the universal visual language that shapes global culture and media.

Analysis of how images convey denotative and connotative messages through analog and digital techniques. This module focuses on formal experimentation to enhance communication skills. Practical application includes creating an original image series and optional assignments to refine connotative expression and formal design techniques.

What's included

13 videos5 readings3 assignments

13 videosTotal 57 minutes

Course Welcome3 minutes
Introduction to Imagemaking3 minutes
Denotative Imagemaking 15 minutes
Denotative Imagemaking 23 minutes
Techniques of Imagemaking 13 minutes
Techniques of Imagemaking 23 minutes
Techniques of Imagemaking 35 minutes
Process, Generation, Iteration5 minutes
Imagemaking Demo 1: Printing with an Object8 minutes
Imagemaking Demo 2: Duct Tape Prints5 minutes
Imagemaking Demo 3: Improvised "Light Table"5 minutes
Connotative Imagemaking 15 minutes
Connotative Imagemaking 24 minutes

5 readingsTotal 31 minutes

Why study graphic design?5 minutes
Software, AI and Other Tools for Making Design10 minutes
How to Pass This Course10 minutes
Meet and Greet5 minutes
Optional Brief1 minute

3 assignmentsTotal 80 minutes

Let's Practice: Images and Denotation10 minutes
Let's Practice: Imagemaking Techniques10 minutes
Brief 1.1: Explorations in Imagemaking (Required)60 minutes

An exploration of typographic terminology, font anatomy, and the essential rules of typesetting. Instruction covers the process of controlling type in both functional and expressive contexts. Key outcomes include mastering typographic language, creating custom monograms, and designing professional business card layouts.

What's included

12 videos1 reading1 assignment

12 videosTotal 53 minutes

Introduction to Typography1 minute
The Anatomy of Letters3 minutes
Words and Spacing3 minutes
Type Size: The Point System3 minutes
Typesetting Text4 minutes
Typefaces, Fonts and Type Families4 minutes
Typeface Categories5 minutes
Denotation in Type7 minutes
Connotation in Type9 minutes
Looking at Letterforms4 minutes
Experimenting with Letterforms5 minutes
Typographic Composition4 minutes

1 readingTotal 1 minute

Optional Briefs1 minute

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Typography 30 minutes

Investigation into how shape and color serve as the primary building blocks of design. Topics include visual contrast, color wheels, rhythm, and repeating patterns. Application involves generating abstract motifs and designing complex repeating patterns to demonstrate mastery of visual harmony and contrast.

What's included

10 videos1 reading1 assignment

10 videosTotal 52 minutes

Introduction to Shape & Color2 minutes
Graphic Shapes3 minutes
Visual Contrast6 minutes
Marks, Icons, and Symbols3 minutes
Negative/Positive, Figure/Ground9 minutes
Working with Color5 minutes
The Color Wheel5 minutes
Mixing Color: Paint, Print and Screen7 minutes
Rhythm and Pattern 15 minutes
Rhythm and Pattern 29 minutes

1 readingTotal 1 minute

Optional Briefs1 minute

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Shape and Color30 minutes

Exploration of spatial organization using cropping, hierarchy, and direction. This module demonstrates how to manage scale, weight, and texture within complex compositions. Practical projects include creating abstract compositions and an optional final poster design to apply comprehensive design fundamentals.

What's included

11 videos2 readings1 assignment

11 videosTotal 70 minutes

Introduction to Composition2 minutes
Principles of Composition7 minutes
Visual Contrasts6 minutes
Single Contrasts3 minutes
Multiple Contrasts9 minutes
Type Contrasts5 minutes
Image Contrasts6 minutes
Composition in a Single Image6 minutes
Cropping and Hierarchy10 minutes
Composition in Context15 minutes
Conclusion1 minute

2 readingsTotal 11 minutes

Optional Briefs1 minute
What's next?10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 60 minutes

Brief 4.1: Single Contrasts (Required)60 minutes

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Instructor

Instructor ratings

(5,013 ratings)

Michael Worthington

8 Courses1,206,868 learners

Offered by

California Institute of the Arts

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Reviewed on Sep 5, 2021

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!

Reviewed on Feb 12, 2020

This course gave me a great basic understanding of graphic design and further assured me of my decision to pursue a career in graphic design. The peer feedback was constructive and always helpful.

Reviewed on Jan 7, 2016

The fundamentals, like the title says. Very well explaineI wish there was more info on what software to use for the assignments for those of us more used to traditional mediums rather than digital.

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Frequently asked questions

No. This course focuses on the universal principles of graphic design rather than technical software tutorials. While you may use Adobe Creative Suite to complete assignments, the curriculum is designed to teach design proficiency—such as composition, typography, and color theory—which is applicable to any digital or analog tool.

This is a beginner-level course with no formal prerequisites. It is open to learners from all backgrounds. While no prior design experience is required, having a basic comfort level with a computer and a desire to experiment with visual communication will help you succeed in the practical assignments.

If you are a CalArtian (current student, faculty, staff, or alumnx of CalArts), you may enroll in this course at no cost through the Coursera for CalArts program.

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.