This 8-week course explores basic graphic design principles. Students will discuss principles like color theory, typography, balance, and the rule of thirds and create graphics that apply these principles. The course aims for students to gain knowledge of design principles and practice evaluating and creating graphics. It is intended for high school students interested in design careers.

1. Course Syllabus
Basic Graphic Design
Instructors
Katelyn
Brissey-­‐
kabrissey@gmail.com
Daniel
Brown
Jonathan
Lawler-­‐
jplawle@gmail.com
Nathan
Winters
Course Description:
This
course
is
an
8-­‐week
exploration
of
basic
design
principles.
Students
will
explore
and
discuss
the
principles
of
graphic
design
and
will
create
their
own
graphics
based
on
these
principles.
Course Credit:
One
(1)
high
school
course
credit
Intended Audience:
High
school
students
who
are
interested
in
a
design
career.
Course Rationale, Goals and Objectives:
We
live
in
a
visual
world,
and
every
day
we're
bombarded
by
images
from
all
directions:
billboards,
magazine
covers,
Web
pages,
print
ads,
television
and
movies,
product
packaging,
and
more.
Behind
every
book
cover
or
company
logo
that
catches
our
eye
is
a
graphic
designer,
or
a
team
of
designers,
who
combines
text
and
images
to
convey
a
carefully
crafted
message.
Graphic
designers
may
work
for
advertising
firms,
publishing
houses
or
design
firms,
or
they
may
freelance
for
their
own
selection
of
clients.
In
a
graphic
design
program,
students
are
taught
the
basic
skills
they'll
likely
need
to
enter
the
industry.
There
are
many
specialties
within
the
field,
but
a
general
graphic
design
program
may
touch
on
Web
design,
illustration,
typography,
computer
graphics,
and
animation,
as
well
as
more
traditional
visual
arts
such
as
drawing,
sculpting
or
photography.
Goals:
1.
To
be
knowledgeable
about
the
basic
principles
of
graphic
design.
2.
To
be
knowledgeable
about
how
to
apply
these
principles
in
realistic
scenarios.

2. 3.
To
critically
evaluate
good
and
bad
practices
within
graphic
design.
4.
To
create
work
that
uses
design
principles.
Objectives:
1.
Discuss
color
theory
and
identify
various
ways
color
can
be
used
in
combination
with
other
colors
(analogous,
triad,
etc.)
2.
Identify
various
ways
that
typography
can
be
used
in
advertising
or
to
make
a
point.
3.
Evaluate
several
uses
of
color
theory
and
typography
and
discuss
reactions
with
other
students.
4.
Explain
the
purpose
of
having
balance
and
using
the
rule
of
thirds
in
graphics
and
websites.
5.
Evaluate
websites
and
discuss
reactions
with
other
students.
6.
Identify
ways
to
achieve
contrast
and
use
white
space.
7.
Create
a
graphic
that
uses
basic
design
principles.
8.
Create
a
simple
webpage
design
that
uses
the
principles
of
graphic
design.