Course Description
This course introduces non-majors to an overview of the tools, techniques, and principles graphic designers use to create effective visual communication. Students explore visual structure, hierarchy, imagery, typography, and relevant design software while considering how design decisions shape messages. Emphasis is on design as both a creative and strategic process.
Athena Title
Foundations of Graphic Design
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in ARGD 3010E
Pre or Corequisite
ARGD 2010 or ARGD 2030 or ARGD 2030E or ARGD 3030 or ARGD 3030E or permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will apply the fundamentals of visual structure, and the formal elements and principles of design, to develop and execute basic graphic design solutions.
- Students will explain how graphic design functions as a creative and strategic process for communicating ideas and messages and analyze how design decisions influence meaning and effectiveness.
- Students will use relevant design software to create visual designs that integrate type and image to communicate effectively.
- Students will employ the creative development process—including ideation, concept generation, prototyping, evaluation, and refinement—to generate and improve design outcomes through independent work, reflection, and instructor or peer feedback.
- Students will recognize how cultural context and audience shape the communication of visual messages and apply this awareness to design decisions.
Topical Outline
- The course includes lectures, demonstrations, guided modules, and applied exercises. Topics are introduced in conjunction with design explorations that develop both conceptual and technical skills, including:
- Basic elements and principles of design and visual organization (color, composition, gestalt, hierarchy, etc.)
- Fundamental typographic classification, taxonomy, and digital typesetting
- Introduction to relevant software used for image editing, vector creation, layout, and typography
- Integrating text and imagery using organizational systems to establish visual hierarchy
- Image usage: cropping, scaling, and composing in a given space
- Creative ideation methodologies for concept generation and refinement
- Designing for multiple media and platforms
