CalArts Graphic Design Study V

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Graphic Design Study | CalArts | Coursera

I completed a graphic design specialization course offered by California Institute of Arts on Coursera. This course consists of fundamentals of graphic design, introduction to image-making and typography, ideas from the history of graphic design and a branding project. It had several design assignments through the course and some of the selected ones are presented here.

The Brief

Graphic design is all around us, in a myriad of forms, both on screen and in print, yet it is always made up of images and words to create a communication goal. This four-course sequence exposes students to the fundamental skills required to make sophisticated graphic design: process, historical context, and communication through image-making and typography.

The Idea

The goal of this specialization was to equip learners with a set of transferable formal and conceptual tools for “making and communicating” in the field of graphic design. The covered content and the core skill set equips learners for formal studies in graphic design, and a starting point for further work in interface design, motion graphics, and editorial design.

The Result

I achieved a deeper understanding of the process and standards of graphic designing. I was able to reflect and refine my own design ideologies. I also acquired skills which helped me in creating more interesting and meaningful visuals. Knowing deeper possibilities helped me incorporate the design ideas like composition and hierarchy even to other media like video production.

RESEARCHING A TYPEFACE

Typography is the visual manifestation of language which existed even before modern graphic design.

It is important to understand the story behind typefaces as it helps us understand the associations and usage of typefaces better. For example, Bembo (Roman Script) is associated with literature and classicism, Futura (Bauhaus School) represents simplicity and transparency and Helvetica (Neo Grotesk) is seen as neutral and objective.

The purpose of this project was to select a popular typeface (I picked Gotham) and explore its origin, development, structure, characteristics, associations, and connotations. The collected information was designed in a magazine layout. After understanding how to put typography to work through size, space and hierarchy the information was composed in an expressionist poster for the typeface.

TYPEFACE ON A MAGAZINE LAYOUT