Chevron Left
Back to Fundamentals of Graphic Design

Learner Reviews & Feedback for Fundamentals of Graphic Design by California Institute of the Arts

4.8
stars
17,754 ratings

About the Course

Graphic Design is all around us! Words and pictures—the building blocks of graphic design—are the elements that carry the majority of the content in both the digital world and the printed world. As graphic design becomes more visible and prevalent in our lives, graphic design as a practice becomes more important in our culture. Through visual examples, this course will teach you the fundamental principles of graphic design: imagemaking, typography, composition, working with color and shape... foundational skills that are common in all areas of graphic design practice. I don't just want you to watch a video of someone talking about design, I want you to MAKE design! If you want to be a designer you have to be a maker and a communicator, so this course will offer you lots of opportunities to get your hands dirty with exercises and with more practical projects. At the end of this course you will have learned how to explore and investigate visual representation through a range of image-making techniques; understand basic principles of working with shape, color and pattern; been exposed to the language and skills of typography; and understand and have applied the principles of composition and visual contrast. If you complete the course, along with its optional (but highly recommended) briefs, you will have a core set of graphic design skills that you can apply to your own projects, or to more deeply investigate a specialized area of graphic design. To succeed in this course you will need access to a computer. You can complete this course without one but it will be tougher. Access to, and a beginner's level knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite programs, such as Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign will help you, especially if you want to complete the optional briefs....

Top reviews

MN

May 18, 2022

very good introductory course. i enjoyed the assignments, they are not overwhelming, easy to start, and the optional ones offer great opportunity to dig little deeper into graphic design fundamentals.

CS

May 9, 2018

An ok course for beginners. A bit too basic for someone who has already had experience in design, but is great anyway cause it breaks things back down to the simplest parts to help you remember roots.

Filter by:

801 - 825 of 4,555 Reviews for Fundamentals of Graphic Design

By Cayl C

May 12, 2021

It thought me new things as a full-time Graphic Designer and I'm really shocked on how much I've learned with just this beginner course. Time to proceed with the next one.

By Anna M

Apr 9, 2021

It was one of the best Ideas to join this course. It gave me a new perspective. I learned how to create simple designs and not to overthink them. It was a nice experience.

By Thairine M

Feb 11, 2021

That was my first time taking classes online, and from another country, and it was amazing! I really enjoyed every learning, thank you a lot for making it possible for us!

By Rachael P

Oct 4, 2020

I got so much insight to typography. I'm so glad I took this journey, now my scope of design is very broadened. I'll waste no time in completing the other sepcializations.

By Thaddeus S

May 4, 2020

The course was very informative and laid a great theoretical and historical background as a launching pad to a more expansive understanding and skillset of graphic design.

By Amanda V

Mar 18, 2020

I enjoyed this course so far. I had limited design software and manage to do all the projects so far. The instructions were clear and easy to navigate. I am continuing....

By Diane M W

Jan 19, 2016

This is an excellent introduction to graphic design. Time is not spent on learning the technology, but rather on producing the examples of art and typography. Thank you.

By Jake N (

Oct 24, 2024

This is one of the best online courses i have ever enrolled in! The instructors were very thorough and the peers have very interesting views on your designs and learning!

By Jody C

Jan 5, 2022

liked all the projects we got to do. videos were very explanatory - went deeper into the origins of the concepts/terms which gave me deeper understanding of the material.

By B M

Apr 24, 2021

Great course, I have taken many graphic courses but what makes this unique the academic background and application. I have applied some concepts in real ife work. Thanks.

By Verasha N

Jan 13, 2021

This course has helped me get a better understanding of the basics of graphic design and given me building blocks of skills which I can use in a career of graphic design.

By GIMENA G

Sep 18, 2020

This course was nice and usefull. I do lettering but I'm not a designer and this course help me to do a better work with lettering and understand basic elements of design

By Jairo A A F

Jul 17, 2020

The methodology of the course seems very successful to me and the contents of the course were also very explained and developed through dynamic and interesting exercises.

By Radwiya B A

Jul 16, 2020

This course was highly informative and useful for me. Great course indeed! I would recommend this course to anyone trying to get started on Graphics Designing. Thank You!

By Salimatou D

Jun 11, 2020

The course has helped me to understand the fundamentals of Graphic design, I'm able now to convey my message by using different techniques of design taught by the course.

By Balaji A

Mar 19, 2018

I did learn a lot about the traditional way of thinking about design. This course helped me to go back a do experiment in Analog rather than digital. Very helpful course.

By Alejandro P G

Sep 22, 2021

I think this course is so well structured. Each week and their topics are full compacted and understandable for the huge range of the fundamentals of the graphic design.

By Marusia K

Mar 1, 2021

Fantastic course! It was very useful , and I've got lots of pleasure doing the assignments, highly recommended for those who are making the first steps in graphic design

By Viktoria S

Feb 21, 2021

Прекрасный курс, чтобы начать свой путь в области графического дизайна или чтобы просто познакомиться с основными концепциями, всё достаточно просто, понятно и интересно

By Nicole M

Oct 14, 2020

Great introduction course to the field of Graphic Design. The lectures were well done and the assignments were great opportunities to explore the topics of each lecture.

By Natalia C

Oct 15, 2023

Es muy bueno... no habla exactamente de cómo utilizar programas ni nada por el estilo, pero te da la forma en como debe pensar un diseñador, creo que todo fue genial...

By Sofía V d l T A L

Nov 25, 2020

Excellent! This was my first course and I have to say that I'm very happy with my experience! The videos, the lectures and the whole structure of the course is amazing.

By Victoria A

Oct 21, 2020

It is fantastic and very complete! It helped me realize that this is what I want to do with my life. Everything is explained clearly and specifically. Perfect to start.

By Pavan

Aug 11, 2020

What a kick start to my graphic design career! I absolutely loved the course. There's nothing like this on internet. If you are interested in design, sign up right now!

By Renee D

Sep 24, 2018

I found this course engaging and inspiring, even when some of the material was not new to me. What a privilege to have access to top-notch instruction like this online.