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Fundamentals of Graphic Design

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Fundamentals of Graphic Design

This course is part of Graphic Design Specialization

899,768 already enrolled

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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.8

18,416 reviews

Beginner level
No prior experience required
Flexible schedule
8 hours to complete
Learn at your own pace
98%
Most learners liked this course
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.8

18,416 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.

Details to know

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Assessments

6 assignments¹

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Taught in English

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 videos•Total 57 minutes
  • Course Welcome•3 minutes
  • Introduction to Imagemaking•3 minutes
  • Denotative Imagemaking 1•5 minutes
  • Denotative Imagemaking 2•3 minutes
  • Techniques of Imagemaking 1•3 minutes
  • Techniques of Imagemaking 2•3 minutes
  • Techniques of Imagemaking 3•5 minutes
  • Process, Generation, Iteration•5 minutes
  • Imagemaking Demo 1: Printing with an Object•8 minutes
  • Imagemaking Demo 2: Duct Tape Prints•5 minutes
  • Imagemaking Demo 3: Improvised "Light Table"•5 minutes
  • Connotative Imagemaking 1•5 minutes
  • Connotative Imagemaking 2•4 minutes
5 readings•Total 31 minutes
  • Why study graphic design?•5 minutes
  • Software, AI and Other Tools for Making Design•10 minutes
  • How to Pass This Course•10 minutes
  • Meet and Greet•5 minutes
  • Optional Brief•1 minute
3 assignments•Total 80 minutes
  • Let's Practice: Images and Denotation•10 minutes
  • Let's Practice: Imagemaking Techniques•10 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 videos•Total 53 minutes
  • Introduction to Typography•1 minute
  • The Anatomy of Letters•3 minutes
  • Words and Spacing•3 minutes
  • Type Size: The Point System•3 minutes
  • Typesetting Text•4 minutes
  • Typefaces, Fonts and Type Families•4 minutes
  • Typeface Categories•5 minutes
  • Denotation in Type•7 minutes
  • Connotation in Type•9 minutes
  • Looking at Letterforms•4 minutes
  • Experimenting with Letterforms•5 minutes
  • Typographic Composition•4 minutes
1 reading•Total 1 minute
  • Optional Briefs•1 minute
1 assignment•Total 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 videos•Total 52 minutes
  • Introduction to Shape & Color•2 minutes
  • Graphic Shapes•3 minutes
  • Visual Contrast•6 minutes
  • Marks, Icons, and Symbols•3 minutes
  • Negative/Positive, Figure/Ground•9 minutes
  • Working with Color•5 minutes
  • The Color Wheel•5 minutes
  • Mixing Color: Paint, Print and Screen•7 minutes
  • Rhythm and Pattern 1•5 minutes
  • Rhythm and Pattern 2•9 minutes
1 reading•Total 1 minute
  • Optional Briefs•1 minute
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
  • Shape and Color•30 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 videos•Total 70 minutes
  • Introduction to Composition•2 minutes
  • Principles of Composition•7 minutes
  • Visual Contrasts•6 minutes
  • Single Contrasts•3 minutes
  • Multiple Contrasts•9 minutes
  • Type Contrasts•5 minutes
  • Image Contrasts•6 minutes
  • Composition in a Single Image•6 minutes
  • Cropping and Hierarchy•10 minutes
  • Composition in Context•15 minutes
  • Conclusion•1 minute
2 readings•Total 11 minutes
  • Optional Briefs•1 minute
  • What's next?•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 60 minutes
  • Brief 4.1: Single Contrasts (Required)•60 minutes

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8 Courses•1,214,221 learners

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Learner reviews

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Showing 3 of 18416

EC
·

Reviewed on Feb 1, 2018

Great opportunity to practice. Encouraged to make. First time using vector design program Abode Illustrator. Was hard to listen to all Contrast Section. It would be great if there was more diversity.

XZ
·

Reviewed on Jan 2, 2020

Very great course to start designing. It helped me become bolder in creating contrasts in my work. Great for anyone interested in graphic design, or anything like bullet journalling, cooking, etc.

SC
·

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Financial aid available,

¹ Some assignments in this course are AI-graded. For these assignments, your data will be used in accordance with Coursera's Privacy Notice.