Graphic Design Portfolio Bootcamp

Section 1

What is Graphic Design?

• Brief overview and discussion
• Elements of design
• Gestalt Principles

Word Work

• Letterform Anatomy
• Type Classifications
• Speed design with limited source material!

Design Assignment: Logo Design

• Brief slide show on what makes a good logo
• Design assignment: Choice of logo redesign for an existing company or create your own personal logo design.
• Create two distinct design options for your logo.

Section 2

Design Process

• Explore ideation and the creative design process
• Logo exploration (Ritos del Sol, Vaya)
• Learn logo drafting using the template feature in Illustrator
• Introduction of Photoshop mock-ups
• Sketching exercise. Learn to work quickly and creatively within fixed parameters.

Color Interaction

• What do colors mean?
• How do designers use colors effectively
• Color palettes: we will explore how to choose appropriate color palettes for different assignments

Design Assignment: Identity System

• Finalize your logo to design an identity system using a "color study" and complimentary typeface. Use this visual system to either create a stationery design or social media graphics.

Section 3

Typography

• Typographic Overview
• Type Selection
• Type Pairing
• Foundry Overview
• Optical Spacing

Design Assignment: Book/eBook Cover Redesign

• Create either a book or eBook cover design for a re-issue of a famous piece of fiction. Use type and imagery to create a visually appealing cover that will entice a reader.

Section 4

Historical Design Movements

• Arts & Crafts
• Art Nouveau
• Dada
• Destijl
• Constructivism
• Bauhaus
• Swiss International

Design Assignment: Album Art Cover/Spotify Graphic

• Create cover art for a band to be used for online purchases of music or streaming music services. Use a mixture of typography, imagery, and basic graphic elements, with consideration for different screen sizes and resolutions.

Section 5

Information Hierarchy

• What goes first? Second? Last? And why?
• Are there rules? How can we be creative within these rules?
• We explore the who, what, where, when, and why of laying out information.
• Learn about grid systems.

Design Assignment: Event Poster or Email Announcement

• Students will design a poster or email announcement for an event. Designs should convey a concept relating to the subject, and use a clearly identifiable visual hierarchy.

Section 6

Design Hero Slide Show

• The instructor will show a brief slide show of past and present design visionaries

Portfolio Criteria & Revision

• Ten points to consider when developing a professional Graphic Design portfolio.
• Recommended book list
• Revision, completion and collection of any final revised exercises or projects.