Welcome
A 14-Week Course Outline | By Katherine Dillon
This class is intended for students who do not have any formal graphic design training but recognize the importance of communicating their ideas effectively using visual language. Over the course of 14 weeks an overview of the many tools and techniques available to convey and manipulate messages and experiences are explored including a study of typography, layout, color, composition and form. Through a study of brand design, information design, package design, interface design and motion graphics and a series of practical exercises, students will learn how to use the tools and appreciate the power of visual communication.
The goal of the course is to provide students who are new to the principles of visual design with the practical knowledge, confidence and critical skills necessary to effectively consider visual design as an important and inevitable component of their work. The class is based on an assumption that in their academic and professional careers the students will be confronted with visual decisions or involved in managing or hiring design professionals.
There will be a series of assignments that apply the principles presented in class. The assignments will be presented and critiqued in the following class.
Completion of the assignments and participation in the class discussion of them is required. Students must maintain a blog where they post their weekly assignments. The final project will be the design of a portfolio website for the students to showcase their work.