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Berkeley Global
Explore the underlying principles of visual/graphic design through a series of weekly studio exercises, online lectures, readings, seminars and guidance in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. You use these software demos to explore color theory (CMYK, RGB, Hexadecimal #), grid systems, logo design, perception, balance, line, repetition, composition and Gestalt principles of design.
Throughout the course, you develop graphic communication and visual design strategies to solve design problems. These strategies include conceptual and technical approaches focusing on layout, typography setup and appropriateness to client and target demographics. Two core projects centered around specific design principles allow you to experience the entire creative process, including: analyzing problems through systematic research, generating solutions by acquiring information and improving any developing skills, testing chosen solutions, and communicating the final solution to your classmates. You then parlay that knowledge to understand visual design as it relates to user interaction, prototyping and best practices for web design. You learn traditional skills, and gain a historical background and an awareness of current trends in design. You work toward a professional portfolio that you can show to potential employers or clients.
See a sample of former student Monica Ma, who works for Google's San Francisco office.
Course Outline
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Course Objectives
UC Berkeley Extension designs the best possible online learning experience to hone your skills to produce a quality portfolio and become a confident design professional.
- Analyze and construct graphic/visual design using design elements and principles
- Study the design process—spatial relationship, structure, the integration of type with imagery and the use of color—through quick visual explorations
- Transform research, critical analysis and creative thinking into powerful visual communication
- Apply design principles from major graphic design movements of the 20th and 21st centuries to contemporary work
- Master design-process terminology so you can communicate your thought processes during the development of your project
- Examine grid systems
- Incorporate Gestalt theory to study perception and design
- Develop typographic literacy by confidently selecting and applying typography fit-to-purpose
- Define color theory and apply it print and digital media
- Create a portfolio of design pieces that exhibit the principles of design
What You Learn
Deepen your knowledge in graphic communication and visual design strategies to solve design problems through conceptual and technical approaches, creative thinking, systematic research and design solutions.
- Gestalt theory to visual communication
- Eight graphic design principles
- Imagery and typography to elicit emotion
- Design research into key findings
- Ideas to create optimal visual communication
- Design of a logo and branding/stationery systems
- Five visual design principles used for legible web-type
- Color theory across print and digital media
- Web accessibility standards to create a color palette
- Visual design principles to UI
- Five-step UI-design process
- Different characteristics of UI and UX design
- Explore copyright laws
- Mood boards
- Poster and web design
- Visual content organization
- Modular grids
- Web grids
How You Learn
We are online! All of the design classes are conducted online, including: video classes, mentor-led learning and peer-to-peer support through our student online platform, Canvas.
- Lecture
- Readings and discussions
- Video
- Fieldwork
- Project work
- Quizzes (at instructor's discretion)
- Tutorials in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop
Is This Course Right for You?
This course is intended for students serious about professional work in graphic and experience design, as well as professionals who handle content design.
After completing this course, you are ready to take User Research for UX.Loading...
Sections
Summer enrollment opens on March 20!