California Institute of the Arts

Graphic Design Specialization

California Institute of the Arts

Graphic Design Specialization

Make Compelling Design.

Learn and apply the principles of graphic design towards a comprehensive branding project.

Anther Kiley
Michael Worthington
Gail Swanlund

Instructors: Anther Kiley

Access provided by Alliance University

452,012 already enrolled

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

from 21,873 reviews of courses in this program

Beginner level
No prior experience required
2 months to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

from 21,873 reviews of courses in this program

Beginner level
No prior experience required
2 months to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Gain the fundamental skills needed to be a graphic designer

  • Communicate through image-making and typography

  • Complete a capstone project to add to your professional portfolio

  • Learn everything you need to know to work in interface design, motion graphics, and editorial design

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Taught in English

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

 logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

Advance your subject-matter expertise

  • Learn in-demand skills from university and industry experts
  • Master a subject or tool with hands-on projects
  • Develop a deep understanding of key concepts
  • Earn a career certificate from California Institute of the Arts

Specialization - 5 course series

Fundamentals of Graphic Design

Fundamentals of Graphic Design

Course 1, 8 hours

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

Category: Graphic Design
Category: Design Elements And Principles
Category: Color Theory
Category: Design Reviews
Category: Conceptual Design
Category: Creative Design
Category: Creativity
Category: Visual Design
Category: Graphic and Visual Design
Category: Creative Thinking
Category: Graphic and Visual Design Software
Category: Writing
Category: Image Analysis
Category: Design Strategies
Category: Design
Introduction to Typography

Introduction to Typography

Course 2, 23 hours

What you'll learn

  • Master the technical terms and measuring systems used to measure and describe type.

  • Explore Western typography's history and leverage cultural, historical, and aesthetic associations when choosing and working with type

  • Learn typesetting and page layout—using hierarchy, grids, and composition—to create sophisticated typographic designs.

  • Synthesize established conventions with experimental approahces to design impactful typography that communicates meaningfully.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Typography
Category: Creative Design
Category: Design Strategies
Category: Creativity
Category: Visual Design
Category: Graphic and Visual Design
Category: Information Architecture
Category: Art History
Category: Layout Design
Category: Design Research
Category: Peer Review
Category: Design Elements And Principles
Category: Design Thinking
Category: Design
Category: Graphic Design
Category: Graphic and Visual Design Software
Introduction to Imagemaking

Introduction to Imagemaking

Course 3, 18 hours

What you'll learn

  • Make informed design choices using image-based research

  • Create ranges of representation using images

  • Compose spreads for your own book

  • Design a book with your own images

Skills you'll gain

Category: Creativity
Category: Digital Publishing
Category: Graphic and Visual Design
Category: Creative Design
Category: Layout Design
Category: Design Elements And Principles
Category: Photography
Category: Storytelling
Category: Graphic Design
Category: Peer Review
Category: Aesthetics
Category: Design Research
Category: Design Reviews
Category: Visual Storytelling
Category: Adobe InDesign
Category: Digital Design
Ideas from the History of Graphic Design

Ideas from the History of Graphic Design

Course 4, 11 hours

What you'll learn

  • Design Literacy: Analyze the evolution of visual communication and historical movements to inform modern branding and professional design strategy.

  • Strategic Application: Evaluate how technological shifts and principles from the Bauhaus to Post-modernism solve contemporary design problems.

  • Professional Vocabulary: Develop a technical vocabulary to articulate design choices and defend creative strategies to clients and stakeholders.

  • Creative Differentiation: Investigate the cultural origins of design trends to find unique visual references that differentiate your work.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Graphic Design
Category: Art History
Category: Design
Category: Logo Design
Category: Layout Design
Category: Design Research
Category: Design Reviews
Category: Style Guides
Category: Design Elements And Principles
Category: Creative Design
Category: Brand Strategy
Category: Research and Design
Category: Public History
Category: Visual Design
Category: Graphic and Visual Design
Brand New Brand

Brand New Brand

Course 5, 19 hours

What you'll learn

  • Synthesize typography, imagemaking, composition and systematic thinking skills through ideation, invention, and conceptualization

  • Demonstrate visual research and development skills through the creation of a Brand Development Guide

  • Expand a brand identity's palette through the inclusion of graphic marks or icons, color, secondary typefaces, and/or images

Skills you'll gain

Category: Branding
Category: Logo Design
Category: Ideation
Category: Creative Design
Category: Graphic Design
Category: Adobe InDesign
Category: Graphic and Visual Design
Category: Creativity
Category: Style Guides
Category: Layout Design
Category: Typography
Category: Adobe Photoshop
Category: Color Theory
Category: Design Research
Category: Brainstorming

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructors

Anther Kiley
1 Course192,643 learners
Michael Worthington
8 Courses1,205,605 learners

Offered by

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.

Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."

Jennifer J.

Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."

Larry W.

Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."

Chaitanya A.

"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."