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

4.8
stars
18,040 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

AR

Apr 18, 2016

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 10, 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.

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2151 - 2175 of 4,625 Reviews for Fundamentals of Graphic Design

By Duminicescu E

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Mar 3, 2016

Very good course for starters who want to understand - Good Work ;) !

By Gerardo E C A

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Dec 31, 2015

Nice course! I learn a lot about Graphic Design. Thank you very much.

By Anna O

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Nov 30, 2015

Absolutely clear and rational approach to fundamentals. Thanks a lot!

By Jeannette D

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Nov 17, 2015

It was so much fun to complete this course and I really learned a lot

By Salman N

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Jan 24, 2025

Enlightening course about Graphic Design with practical assignments!

By Ritoja m

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Oct 30, 2024

had fun learning about the course looking forward to enroll for more

By Boy A R

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Oct 30, 2023

very great knowlegde for someone who wants to be a graphic designer.

By Md S H P

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Jul 18, 2023

Thanks to Cal ARTS. Basic concepts of design principles was learned.

By Lücke R

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Apr 7, 2023

Amazing distribution of videos, resources and assignments, loved it!

By Keshav B

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Jan 3, 2023

Got to know about the fundamentals and the basics for graphic design

By Emanueli C L

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May 18, 2022

Muito bom e fundamental para o início dos estudos de design gráfico.

By Sreyan D

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Aug 2, 2021

Excellent introduction to graphic design. Anyone can do this course!

By Nguyễn T H

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Aug 1, 2021

I have gotten much information from this course, thank you for all!

By Adolfo R

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Jul 9, 2021

Es un curso excelente para comenzar el camino en las artes graficas.

By Aditya S

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Jun 28, 2021

A great and comprehensive introduction of Graphic Design, good work.

By Teeradet K

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Jun 6, 2021

Very good for start the graphic design, Very clear and nice content.

By shweta r

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Apr 12, 2021

its very nice to learn something which is basic and most important !

By Rabeeta Z

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Apr 9, 2021

Its very informative and comprehensive. Really impressive instructor

By Kseniya Y

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Dec 18, 2020

Very helpful course if you want to understand what graphic design is

By Ayoub B

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Nov 10, 2020

Great teaching method,thanks a lot CalArts university and Coursera !

By Samson c

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Oct 4, 2020

it helps me to improve my knowledge in colors and shapes composition

By ASMA B

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Sep 5, 2020

thanks because you gives me the hand to discover the world of design

By Georgia B

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Aug 5, 2020

taught me alot about the basics of graphic design. Very fun projects

By Sarah V

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Jul 31, 2020

Instruction is great, projects are great, grading system is sub-par.

By Ahmed K R

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Jul 27, 2020

Loved This Course!! Thank You CAL ARTS For providing this content :D