Quick Facts
- Duration: 36 minutes
- Level: Beginner
- Prerequisites: No prior design experience required
- Instructor: Ellen Lupton, Senior Curator of Contemporary Design at Cooper Hewitt, Director of Graphic Design MFA at MICA
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Is This Course Right For You?
Ideal For
- Those interested in learning fundamental design principles
- Anyone working with text and images in any medium
Not Recommended If
- Advanced designers seeking complex techniques
- Those looking for software-specific training
Key Learning Outcomes
- Master 5 core design principles: symmetry, scale, framing, hierarchy, and grids
- Create balanced and effective page layouts
- Apply design principles to any visual project
- Understand the relationships between design elements
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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
- Method 1: Visual Examples - Analysis of professional and student work, Examination of book layouts, posters, and digital designs
- Method 2: Practical Demonstration - Step-by-step layout creation, InDesign layout workflow demonstration
Best Suited Learning Styles
- Visual learners
- Hands-on practitioners
- Systematic thinkers
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Content Depth Analysis
Major Topics
1. Symmetry vs Asymmetry (20% of course)
- Depth Level: Foundational
- Key Components:
- Balance principles
- Dynamic layouts
- Natural vs designed symmetry
- Main Takeaways: Understanding balance in design, Creating dynamic compositions
2. Grids and Layout (25% of course)
- Depth Level: Intermediate
- Key Components:
- Grid systems
- Margins and gutters
- Page structure
- Main Takeaways: Building structured layouts, Using grids effectively
Coverage Overview
Comprehensive Coverage
- Basic design principles
- Layout fundamentals
Foundational Coverage
- Typography
- Visual hierarchy
Limited Coverage
- Color theory
- Digital tools
- Advanced techniques
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Skill Development Path
Required Starting Point
Must Have:
- Basic computer literacy
Helpful to Have:
- Familiarity with design software
- Interest in visual communication
Development Stages
1. Foundation Phase
Skills Developed:
- Understanding basic principles
- Recognizing design elements
Practical Outcomes:
- Create simple layouts
- Apply basic design principles
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Success Factors
Keys to Success
- Regular practice with principles
- Analysis of existing designs
- Application to personal projects
Preparation Steps
Before Starting:
- Gather design examples you admire
- Install basic design software
Recommended Resources:
- Graphic Design: The New Basics book
Next Courses:
- Typography courses
- Advanced design principles
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