Graphic Design 101

Graphic Design 101 is an online program that teaches students the basics of graphic design in 12 lessons. Each lesson is divided into three sections. In the first step, students will listen to an approximately 15-minute lesson on various topics. After the lesson, students will be given an assignment to complete. Second, students share their projects and teachers and students interact during a dialogue about that lesson's project. Each lesson concludes with a short quiz to test students' understanding of the material covered. To improve their grade, students can retake the quiz if any of the problems are incorrect.  

The lessons include:

1. Orientation
2. Intro to Graphic Design
3. Learning Common Applications
4. File Management
5. Elements of Design
6. Principles of Design
7. Color Theory
8. Design Process
9. Using the Grid
10. Typography
11. Branding
12. Making a Campaign
13. Interviewing a Designer 

All courses that you are registered for will show up on Your Student Dashboard.

The course comes with an Adobe Acrobat PDF file of each lesson and the assignments. The first page of each lesson is a fill in the blank that covers material covered in the lecture. The subsequent pages are the student assignment pages. Following is an example of one of the lessons. 

The quizzes reinforce the material taught in each lesson by requiring students to recall and apply the information they have learned. This active engagement helps solidify their understanding and identify any areas where they may need further study. Additionally, the option to retake the quizzes encourages students to strive for mastery of the content.

Following are some screenshots from the lectures and the student workshops. They are in no particular order. 

The lessons are listed on the left side of the screen. Once you click on a lesson, a pull down screen will appear with the entire lesson. Each lesson section will be marked with a purple checkmark once your student completes it. 

The instructors for Graphic Design 101 are Sam Hord, the Lead Instructor, and Elise Evans, the Owner, Film School for Teens. 

These are the three students that will be featured during the Student Workshop section of the lessons. 

During project discussions, students receive constructive feedback from both peers and instructors. This feedback focuses on the strengths and areas for improvement in their designs, allowing students to refine their work. Additionally, instructors provide personalized suggestions to help students gain a deeper understanding of design concepts and apply them effectively in future projects.

Key points from the lecture will be highlighted at the bottom of the screen. On the lesson PDF's first page, students will fill in these key points by filling in the blanks. 

After completing the course you will be able to print out a certificate of completion. 

One of the key benefits of the online format is flexibility, allowing students to learn at their own pace and fit lessons into their schedules. Additionally, the program can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection, making it convenient for students with other commitments. This format also provides opportunities for students from diverse locations to connect and collaborate, enriching the learning experience. 

The Graphic Design 101 program may encourage students to pursue various career paths such as graphic designer, branding specialist, or visual content creator. Additionally, the foundational skills acquired can serve as a stepping stone toward more specialized areas like web design.

For students seeking a comprehensive introduction to graphic design, I highly recommend Graphic Design 101.