This course will introduce you to the general graphic design processes and techniques used by commercial and visual artists, including the principles of design, layout, color theory, composition and typography, using Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe InDesign. You will learn to be creative and will produce digital works of art and interesting publications (like flyers, advertisements, magazine covers, book covers, brochures, etc.). A basic understanding of computer applications is expected.
We will start learning some important terms: digital, art, digital art, design, graphic design, graphic designer, aesthetics, composition, focal point, Web design, branding and logos, and typography. We will also learn the six principles of a visual composition: balance (symmetrical, asymmetrical and radial), proximity, alignment, contrast, white space and repetition, and the importance of keeping it simple! Check again the video and webpage on "Fundamentals of Design," and later the video and webpage on "Layout and Composition" (under Favorite Links) to learn and understand more about these principles. Establishing hierarchy in composition is very important too, mentioned in the second video, so check it out!
There are mainly three different kinds of balance: symmetrical, asymmetrical and radial. I need you to understand the difference between the three. Make sure to check Google Classroom OFTEN for important information, "notes," and assignments. By now, you should have the Graphic Design PDF presentation in your "notes" folder, the Keyboard Shortcuts document (add: Command-R), and a document of your choice with the vocabulary words you MUST know. Feel free to print any of these documents or to save them in your Google Drive. Thank you!
Check some of the links under "My Favorite Links" on the right side.
Class assignment: Go to Google and check images with symmetrical, asymmetrical and radial balance. Then create a Photoshop exercise with these three kinds of balance (you can use Shapes or other - I will explain in class). You need to have three Photoshop canvases! Try to understand the differences and try to understand the importance of a "balanced" composition in art and design. Check: Composition & Design (click this link) for more information. Try to understand "the rule of thirds" in creating an effective composition.
TEST: October 4 (on this Blog Entry - Vocabulary mentioned here (and in Google Classroom, Graphic Design PDF and the following: the video and website on "Fundamentals of Design," these commands: Command-Shift-4, Command-J, Command-U, Command-Plus, Command-Minus, Command-Z, Command-C, Command-V, Command-S, Command-N, Command-T and Command-D. You will learn the commands you haven't learned yet in the next two weeks. Also: what is Photoshop? will also be included. You can find a definition online or ask me please!
TEST: October 4 (on this Blog Entry - Vocabulary mentioned here (and in Google Classroom, Graphic Design PDF and the following: the video and website on "Fundamentals of Design," these commands: Command-Shift-4, Command-J, Command-U, Command-Plus, Command-Minus, Command-Z, Command-C, Command-V, Command-S, Command-N, Command-T and Command-D. You will learn the commands you haven't learned yet in the next two weeks. Also: what is Photoshop? will also be included. You can find a definition online or ask me please!
I hope you enjoy this class!
