Graphic Design
The manual is comprised of different courses that will cover the basics to advance. Graphic design is a powerful visual communication medium that encompasses various aspects, including layout, typography, color theory, and visual storytelling..
This manual is designed to be your step-by-step guide to learning graphic design. We will start by covering the fundamental principles and elements of design, such as composition, balance, contrast, and hierarchy. These principles form the building blocks of effective graphic design and will serve as a strong foundation for your creative journey.
Week 1
Goals
- Improving aesthetics and learning visual research
- Coming up with ideas with the help of references
- Basics of Typography - Understanding type of fonts, Usage of fonts, Hierarchy.
- Learning basics of Figma, Illustrator and Photoshop (If needed)
Material
Following are the websites that can help in visual research and moodboarding, idea collection and getting knowledge around the topics.
Research:
- Explore the inspiration sites: Canva/ Behance/ Dribbble/ Instagram/ Pinterest/ Linkedin
- Do a thorough Visual Research on Dribbble
- Explore the Report Templates on Visme
- Read the book: Visual research : an introduction to research methodologies in graphic design
- Learn the Principles of Graphic Design
Typography:
- Read about Font Classification
- 14 typography crimes to stop committing
- Rules of Typography
- How to Structure an Effective Typographic Hierarchy | Toptal®
Exercises
- Design a scalable post around a job vacancy for a position of UI/UX Designer. Content: UI/UX Designer, we have a place for you in our design team. Send us your resume at emumba.com/careers.
- Design a post announcing girls table tennis tournament championship Content: Girls table tennis championship - Miss Hits 2023
Week 2
Goals
- Learning basics of design
- Typography and Social Media advertising
- Learn Font Pairing
- Learning basics of Figma, Illustrator and Photoshop (if needed)
Materials:
Design Basics:
Typography & Social Media:
Font Pairing:
Exercises
Week 3
Goals
- Understanding Colors and their usage on Social Media Marketing
- Learn Composition & Layouting
- Learning basics of Figma, Illustrator and Photoshop (if needed)
Materials:
Color Usage:
- Best colors to use on each social media: Hues to your business (ad)vantage - VistaCreate Blog
- The power of post-processing (Jump to the section color grading)
Layout & Composition:
- Beginning Graphic Design: Layout & Composition
- Read book: Thinking with Type
Typography:
Exercises
- Design a carousel post covering the following topic: Typography Content: Extract the data points and convert it into a knowledge sharing post for Linkedin
- Design a post around Iqbal Day 9th November
Week 4
Goals
- Continued learning on Layout and composition
- Learning branding and identity design
- Exploring branding in context of Social Media
Materials:
Branding Basics:
- The Basics of Branding | Mailchimp
- https://99designs.com/blog/logo-branding/elements-of-branding/ (in context of design)
- https://buffer.com/library/social-media-branding/#:~:text=Your%20social%20media%20branding%20gives,that%20resonates%20with%20this%20audience (in context of social media)
Exercises
- Design a post for Eid ul Azha by keeping the element of branding intact
- Design a card for Eid ul Azha containing a short message
- Design a gif concept to celebrate/wish employee on his 5th work anniversary, Use figma to demonstrate gif concept Details: Platform: Linkedin and slack Name: Daniyal Profile picture can be taken from company’s drive Should contain a small message
Week 5
Goals
- Finish Thinking with Type book
- Basics of communication
Materials:
Typography:
- Free Font Alternatives: The Ultimate Guide
- 6 Ways to Justify Font Choices in Your Designs
Exercises
- Attend one session as a Toastmaster guest
- Curate and deliver a presentation on the few finding from the book “Thinking with Type” followed by an exercise in the book as a team design activity