A SkillShare Learning Path: Introduction to Graphic Design

Last week I put together a rough curriculum for learning graphic design. Below you’ll find a SkillShare learning path I’ve put together to complete the first month of the graphic design curriculum. All classes can be found on SkillShare.

Month 1:

1. Introduction to Graphic Design:

   • What is graphic design?

     • Graphic Design Basics: Core Principles for Visual Design (This class is great. It’s a quick 36-minutes and hits the core principles with clarity and lots of visuals.)

   • Importance and impact of design in branding and websites

     • Strategic Design: The Art and Science of Branding

     • The Staples of Branding: From Purpose to Product

     • Cracking the Code of Branding: Mastering Brand DNA Strategy

   • Study design principles (balance, contrast, hierarchy, etc.)

     • The Basic Principles of Graphic Design

   • Understand color theory and its application to design

     • Color Theory for Illustrators

2. Introduction to Adobe Creative Suite:

   • Familiarize yourself with Adobe Illustrator Procreate. Learn the basics of each software and their specific use cases

     • Learn Adobe Illustrator: Fundamentals for Beginners

     • Adobe Illustrator: Essentials Training

     • Mastering Adobe Illustrator: Tips & Tricks

     • Adobe Illustrator for iPad: A Beginners Guide

     • Intro to Procreate: Illustrating on the iPad

     • Procreate Masking

3. Logo Design Process:

   • Familiarize yourself with the logo design process from concept to final product

     • Logo Design Basics: Develop a Memorable Brand

     • The Logo Design Process

     • Logo Design: Secrets of Shape, Type and Color

4. Drafting Logo Design:

   • Study different logotypes (symbolic, typographic, combination, etc.)

     • Design a Modern Monogram in AI

     • Logotype MasterClass

     • Typographic Composition and Fonts

     • Typography & Lettering

   • Begin sketching logo ideas and concepts

     • Daily assignment: exploratory hand sketches of logo design

5. Project:

   • Learn how to create mood boards, gather inspiration, and conduct research

     • Assignment: develop a mood board for a logo idea

   • Create initial logo concepts using Adobe Illustrator

   • Receive feedback and refine designs

Happy learning! If you’re following along, share below. Cheers!