Fundamentals of Graphic Design , A Free Beginners Friendly Course . 

Graphic design is a powerful skill that blends creativity and technology to communicate visually. Whether you want to design social media posts, create marketing materials, or build a professional portfolio, mastering the fundamentals of graphic design is essential.

In this free beginner friendly course, we’ll cover the core principles of design, color theory, typography basics, layout and composition, and the psychology of design. You’ll also get hands on exercises, real world projects, and interactive quizzes to reinforce learning. Plus, we’ll guide you in using industry standard tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Canvas. Let’s get started!       

Module 1 .  Understanding Graphic Design .   

What is Graphic Design ? 

Graphic design is the art of creating visual content to convey messages. It includes digital and print media, such as logos, brochures, websites, advertisements, and social media graphics."text align: left;">Why is Graphic Design Important?Enhances communication – Visuals make information easier to understand .Boosts brand identity – Strong design creates a memorable brand increases engagement – Well designed content attracts more attention. Drives conversions – Effective design encourages customer action. Graphic Design in Digital and Print Media Digital Design: Websites, social media, mobile apps, online ads Print Design: Business cards, magazines, brochures, posters  Hands on Exercise:

Create a simple flyer using Canvas. Experiment with colors, fonts, and layout.

 

1 Contrast .   

Contrast makes elements stand out. It can be achieved using:

Color: Light vs. dark

Size: Big vs. small

Shape: Round vs. square

2 . Balance . 

Balance ensures that no part of the design overpowers another. There are two types:

Symmetrical Balance – Equal distribution on both sides

Asymmetrical Balance – Unequal elements that still look stable

3 . Alignment . 

Alignment organizes content neatly. Common types include:

Left or right alignment – Clean and professional

Centered alignment – Good for headlines

4 .Proximity .

Grouping related elements together improves readability and organization.

Hands on Exercise:

Design a business card in Photoshop or Canvas, applying contrast, balance, alignment, and proximity.

Color Theory in Design . 

Color plays a significant role in design psychology and branding. Understanding the Color Wheel. The color wheel consists of: Primary colors – Red, blue, yellow. Secondary colors – Green, orange, purple Tertiary colors – A mix of primary and secondary colors Color Harmony and Schemes.  Complementary Colors: Opposite colors on the wheel (e.g., blue & orange) Analogous Colors: Colors next to each other (e.g., blue, green, teal) Monochromatic Colors: Variations of one color Color Psychology in Design

Red – Passion, excitement, urgency

Blue – Trust, calmness, professionalism

Yellow – Energy, optimism, happiness

Green – Growth, nature, health

Hands on Exercise:

Create a social media post using a complementary color scheme in Illustrator.

Typography Basics . 

Typography is the art of arranging text to make written content visually appealing.

Type of Fonts . 

Serif Fonts: Traditional and formal (e.g., Times New Roman)

Sans serif Fonts: Modern and clean (e.g., Helvetica)

Script Fonts: Elegant and decorative (e.g., Brush Script)

Display Fonts: Unique and bold (e.g., Impact)

Typography Rules for Effective Design

Use no more than two fonts per design

Maintain proper line spacing for readability

Ensure text hierarchy (Headings > Subheadings > Body text)

Hands on Exercise .   

Design a typography based poster in Canvas using different font combinations.

 Layout and Composition.  

Good layout ensures a clear, structured visual experience. Key Composition Techniques .Rule of Thirds: Divide your design into a 3x3 grid for balance White Space: Leaving empty spaces improves readability Hierarchy: Organize elements based on importance

Hand on Exercise .

Create a magazine cover in Photoshop using a grid layout.

 The Psychology og Design . 

Understanding how people perceive designs can help create more impact full visuals.

Psychological Triggers in Design

Shapes:

Circles = Unity, friendliness

Squares = Stability, trust

Triangles = Power, direction

Imagery: People connect emotionally with relevant images

Motion: Animated elements grab attention faster

Hands on Exercise . 

Analyze three famous brand logos and identify the psychological impact of their design choices.

 Industry Standard Graphic Design Tools . 

To create professional designs, mastering graphic design software is essential.

1. Adobe Photoshop (Best for photo editing) Editing images and creating digital artwork Removing backgrounds and retouching photos

2. Adobe Illustrator (Best for vector design) Creating logos, icons, and illustrations Working with scalable vector graphics

3. Canvas (Best for beginners) Drag and drop design templates . East ago for social media graphics, presentations, and posters

Hands on Exercise:

Design a social media banner using Canvas or Illustrator. Final Project: Create a Complete Design Portfolio

Project Overview

✅ A logo design

✅ A business card

✅ A social media post

✅ A magazine cover

Use Photoshop, Illustrator, or Canvas to complete the project.

How to Submit Your Project.   Upload your designs online (Behan's, Dribble, or personal website)

hare your portfolio link with others for feedback

Conclusion .