Quick Facts
- Duration: 64 minutes
- Level: Beginner
- Prerequisites: Passion for design, Curious eye, Interest in visual storytelling
- Instructor: Ellen Lupton, Museum curator at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, Author and educator at MICA
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Is This Course Right For You?
Ideal For
- Graphic designers looking to understand fundamental poster design principles
- Illustrators interested in visual storytelling through posters
- Design enthusiasts wanting to learn professional design techniques
Not Recommended If
- You're an advanced designer seeking complex technical skills
- You expect software-specific tutorials
Key Learning Outcomes
- Create emotionally effective poster designs
- Master six fundamental moves of modern graphic design
- Tell visual stories through single-frame compositions
- Develop film poster concepts from ideation to execution
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How You'll Learn
Teaching Style Distribution
- Video Lectures: 40%
- Hands-on Practice: 30%
- Interactive Elements: 10%
- Projects/Assignments: 20%
Primary Learning Methods
- Museum Collection Analysis: Study of historic and contemporary posters from Cooper Hewitt collection, Analysis of Polish film posters and political propaganda
- Practical Project Work: Creating a film poster using learned principles, Developing movie poster concepts through sketching and iteration
- Visual Principle Demonstration: Learning through analysis of design elements, Understanding diagonal lines, overlapping, and simplification
Best Suited Learning Styles
- Visual learners
- Hands-on practitioners
- Analytical thinkers
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Content Depth Analysis
Major Topics
1. Visual Storytelling (25% of course)
- Depth Level: Intermediate
- Key Components:
- Narrative elements
- Emotional impact
- Single-frame storytelling
- Main Takeaways: How to convey complex stories in single images, Creating emotional connections through design
2. Design Principles (40% of course)
- Depth Level: Foundational
- Key Components:
- Focus
- Diagonal activation
- Simplification
- Overlap
- Main Takeaways: Understanding core design moves, Applying principles to create effective posters
3. Practical Application (35% of course)
- Depth Level: Beginner
- Key Components:
- Project development
- Iteration process
- Design critique
- Main Takeaways: Creating professional-quality movie posters, Understanding design workflow
Coverage Overview
Comprehensive Coverage
- Visual storytelling principles
- Poster design fundamentals
Foundational Coverage
- Typography basics
- Composition techniques
Limited Coverage
- Software tutorials
- Advanced technical skills
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Skill Development Path
Required Starting Point
Must Have:
- Basic design interest
- Creative mindset
Helpful to Have:
- Basic drawing skills
- Design software familiarity
Development Stages
1. Foundation Phase
Skills Developed:
- Understanding design principles
- Visual analysis
Practical Outcomes:
- Ability to analyze effective poster designs
2. Application Phase
Skills Developed:
- Design concept development
- Visual storytelling
Practical Outcomes:
- Creating basic poster designs
3. Mastery Phase
Skills Developed:
- Design iteration
- Professional critique
Practical Outcomes:
- Producing professional-quality movie posters
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Success Factors
Keys to Success
- Active participation in project work
- Willingness to iterate and refine designs
- Engagement with course materials and examples
Preparation Steps
Before Starting:
- Gather basic design materials
- Review provided movie list
Recommended Resources:
- Cooper Hewitt museum collection website
Next Courses:
- Advanced graphic design courses
- Typography-focused classes
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