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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Fundamentals of Graphic Design by California Institute of the Arts

4.8
stars
18,383 ratings

About the Course

The Fundamentals of Graphic Design course offered by CalArts on Coursera provides a comprehensive introduction to the essential building blocks of visual communication. This practice-oriented program focuses on four primary pillars: imagemaking, typography, shape and color theory, and the principles of composition. Unlike software-specific tutorials, this curriculum emphasizes the act of making and the mastery of design principles. It encourages participants to transform abstract concepts into tangible design projects. Learners will explore diverse techniques for visual representation and gain a technical understanding of how to manipulate rhythm, pattern, and contrast to organize information effectively. Please note that this course focuses on conceptual and formal principles rather than technical software instruction. While projects may be completed using tools like Adobe Creative Suite, specific tutorials for Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign are not provided. The curriculum is designed to build foundational design proficiency that is applicable across any analog or digital toolset. By the end of the program, learners will have developed a core set of graphic design skills applicable to personal creative projects or further specialized study in professional design. This course serves as a critical first step for any aspiring communicator looking to master the universal visual language that shapes global culture and media....

Top reviews

EJ

Sep 5, 2021

I had a lot of fun in this course. I learnt some extra bits of information related to graphic design and I think it's a great start for beginners as well as good practice for intermediate and experts!

RT

Jun 24, 2020

It is a very useful course in which i learn typography Image making virtual,single,multicontrasts And what not it is a very good course i ever scene thanking course era for giving this oppurtinity

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4551 - 4575 of 4,686 Reviews for Fundamentals of Graphic Design

By John W

Dec 10, 2023

Was great although they didn't teach us anything about how to use Photoshop or similar graphics software, I had to learn that myself which was rather daunting. Moreover, I was expecting up to date information especially with regards to the recent developments in AI

By Jo M

May 8, 2024

Wish there were more real-world projects, and that we didn't have so many rules in our submissions. Also wish the final project (the band) would give us some more creative freedom, something like "pick a cause you want to support and make promotional art for it"

By Taylor S

Sep 22, 2021

It was a bit hard to keep up with everything due to there being no specific definitions on screen or any stress on what we should know. Everyone has their own learning style, and this course didn't really fit mine. I did enjoy the hands-on activities though.

By Rafaela T

Oct 16, 2024

The videos and content are ok, but the fact that your assignments are evaluated by other students is unacceptable, especially because most of them don't put any effort on the feedbacks, so you end up not having a good measure of your talent and progress.

By Aydin A

Jun 28, 2016

Interesting and exploratory but not much was really explained; he just kinda showed examples and said see what I mean. That's great but you're not really learning why and thus in my opinion I don't feel like I learned much about graphic design

By Lika M

Dec 8, 2021

The course covers a very surface explanations of topics, where you get to watch only few minutes video and do much more practice by yourself. I agree that we learn by practicing, but also, I was expected to get more knowladge from the course.

By Mahek P

Aug 14, 2016

Instead of reading blogs and books on graphic design and then following that up with consequent practice I decided to take up this course which would help me do both more efficiently and so far I'm not regretting my decision.

By Khalid G

Apr 15, 2020

this course is kinda useful but I think it needs to go deeper in some details about those fundamentals of graphic design to give a complete imagination about how this world works, glad to be here and thanks a lot!

By divyansha g

Nov 5, 2020

Interesting appraoch to basic elements of graphic design. however, i believe there should be more required assignments instead of the optional ones to gain deeper and better understanding of various elements.

By Aarya C

Aug 22, 2020

It is quite engaging from a beginner point of view but I expected the course to more of a professional level. Expected to work on a Graphic Design software like Adobe Illustrator or something like that.

By Divya A

May 9, 2020

They are teaching you basics of design. The course is pretty good for people who have absolutely no knowledge in design. Overall my experience was good. They did increase my knowledge about graphics.

By Andy B

May 23, 2022

Interesting material, but no interaction with instructors at all. Everything is peer reviewed and unfortunately not all the students speak English well enough to understand the grading rubric.

By Kimmie H

Apr 12, 2023

The course content is good, but I am not happy with the fully peer graded method. There is no way to flag spam users, and often you're stuck with no or unhelpful feedback on your assignments.

By Ezio T

Mar 13, 2020

I was expecting to have more hands on experience and learning graphic designing software, but it was more about theory. I liked the theory and classes, but still I was hoping for more.

By Lim M J

Jun 4, 2020

Great course for anyone who wishes to learn graphic designs. It's eye-opening for me as it is not just about arts, but also the techniques and compositions behind every design

By Antonio C C

Mar 7, 2017

Si deseas conocer los conceptos básicos del diseño gráfico de una manera amena este es tu curso. Es prácticamente autogestivo pero con un diseño instruccional de alta calidad.

By Jessica W

Jan 28, 2021

Very basic and seems a bit outdated. Good if you really need to know the basics, not so good for portfolio development or learning anything that is real world applicable

By Linda H

Jan 25, 2025

Some of the technology did not work. For instance, errors would occur when submitting assignments and some of the videos in Module 5 would not play.

By Mita M

Feb 2, 2017

I was expecting to learn to use some tools during the course. Looks like I have to teach myself how to use different programs for designing.

By Charleigh L C

Nov 1, 2021

A introduction to graphic design. All assignments are peer review, most of the time you cannot receive useful comment to improve yourself.

By Amina K

Oct 10, 2020

Peer grading is absolutely the worst. Real feedback from a real instructor is needed instead of "ok" and "good" from peers on assignment.

By Mona E

Nov 27, 2016

It's very very basic, I know it's considered an introductory course but I expected more. It was very interesting and informative though.

By Anna S

Feb 22, 2023

I liked the course's content; however, the grades given by peers were very subjective which made me think less of the course overall.

By Ludivine S

Feb 20, 2017

A bit basic, but I guess that's what should be expected of an "Introduction"

It would be nice to get a more advanced alternative course

By Mina M B

Apr 17, 2022

the course is great but I did not understand the point of the first week so without that the course would be 5 stars i think