Graphic Design Theory - Hierarchy
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Graphic Design Theory - Hierarchy
This course is part of multiple programs.
Instructor: Skillshare
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There are 4 modules in this course
Your instructor Martin Perhiniak states: Control how your viewers experience your designs!
How can you ensure that people will read the title of an article first, then the pull-quote with some juicy fragment of the story, and only then move on to the body copy? As a graphic designer, you cannot give your viewers instructions on how to use your work, right? So there has to be another way to make people know what to do and where to find the information they are looking for. The magical solution is visual hierarchy. What we will cover in the course * Focal Point, * Entry Point * Dominance * Emphasis * Scale * Position * Proportion * Exaggeration * Propositional Density * and everything else that can help you to make your designs structured and easy to use. We will also analyze hundreds of amazing designs from all areas of graphic design to help you easily visualize and understand all the terms and rules that are covered in the course. Going through these examples - both good and bad - you will start to see these principles in effect, and develop a sense for the right visual hierarchy that will serve you greatly throughout your creative career. Who is this course for? * Anyone planning to get into the creative industry * Creative professionals aiming to improve their compositions * Marketing managers working with agencies & printing services * Practical advice with invaluable industry insight. This is not an abstract, in-theory course at all, but a very practical one. As a professional freelance designer myself, I will give you all my 20+ years of experience in managing 100s of high-paying projects from simple to complex, from small shops to global brands like Disney and Lego. In fact, I was working in a special consultant role for Adobe for more than a year, teaching design workflow and process practices to their most esteemed clients. And I can promise you with confidence, this part of the Graphic Design Theory Series, will literally elevate you to the next level as a designer, giving you a huge advantage whether you're just starting out, or already working as a designer for years. Come, join me, Martin Perhiniak, on this exciting journey, let’s explore the amazing world of Graphic Design together! Instructor bio: Martin Perhiniak is a Certified Adobe Design Master and instructor with extensive experience working for top companies including Disney, Warner Brothers, Cartoon Network, Sony Pictures, Mattel, and DC Comics. Based in London, he teaches design and provides live online training and consultancy services to students and professionals worldwide. Martin’s teaching emphasizes hands-on learning and personal growth, guided by his motto: “Do not compare yourself to your role models. Work hard and wait for the moment when others will compare themselves to you.”
Start here to build your foundation in hierarchy. In this module, you’ll learn how to create structure in your designs by focusing on visual importance, prominent elements, and the order in which information is presented.
What's included
4 videos1 reading1 assignment1 discussion prompt
4 videos•Total 17 minutes
- Introduction•1 minute
- Hierarchy basics•5 minutes
- Prominent details•5 minutes
- Prioritizing information•5 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
- Project Instructions•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
- Module 1 Quiz•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- New Discussion Prompt•10 minutes
This module focuses on layout strategies to bring order and rhythm to your work. Learn how to guide viewers using alignment, structured flow, and clear visual anchors like focal and entry points.
What's included
4 videos1 assignment1 discussion prompt
4 videos•Total 24 minutes
- Alignment and Grouping•6 minutes
- Structure and Order•7 minutes
- Focal point•7 minutes
- Entry point•4 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
- Module 2 Quiz•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- New Discussion Prompt•10 minutes
Explore how spatial relationships and sizing contribute to effective hierarchy. This module teaches you how to use dominance, scale, and position to elevate specific content and improve viewer engagement.
What's included
3 videos1 assignment1 discussion prompt
3 videos•Total 17 minutes
- Dominance•5 minutes
- Position•7 minutes
- Alignment•5 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
- Module 3 Quiz•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- New Discussion Prompt•10 minutes
In the final module, you’ll explore more advanced techniques including exaggeration and layered meaning. You’ll also wrap up by reviewing what you’ve learned and considering how to apply these tools to future design work.
What's included
3 videos1 assignment1 peer review1 discussion prompt
3 videos•Total 16 minutes
- Proportion & exaggeration•7 minutes
- Propositional density•7 minutes
- Conclusion•1 minute
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
- Module 4 Quiz•30 minutes
1 peer review•Total 60 minutes
- Course Project•60 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- New Discussion Prompt•10 minutes
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