In Graphic Design Fundamentals, The Great Courses has partnered with CreativeLive to explore the fundamentals of design: form and image, color, type, and layout. You’ll see the creative process in action as your experienced instructor Timothy Samara takes you through five projects step by step, from initial client meeting to final project delivery. Don’t worry if you’ve never learned to distinguish one type style from another—and no special design software is needed. Just open your eyes and enjoy the thrill of the creative process!
Graphic Design Fundamentals
Explore the fundamentals of design: form and image, color, type, and layout.
Overview Course No. 9022
About
Timothy Samara is a New York-based graphic designer, educator, and author whose 25-year career has focused on visual identity and branding, communication design, and typography. Mr. Samara currently serves as a part-time assistant professor in the department of graphic design at Parsons/The New School for Design, and as lecturer in the School of Art+Design at State University of New York at Purchase. He formerly lectured at The School of Visual Arts. Since 2014, he has served as principal and creative director at Timothy Samara, his own professional practice. He previously served as principal at STIM Visual Communication and as senior art director at two New York design firms.
Mr. Samara is the author of eight books on design, including his most recent two books, Letterforms: Typeface Design from Past to Future and Making and Breaking the Grid, Second Edition, Updated and Expanded: A Graphic Design Layout Workshop. His books are used by students and graphic designers around the world and have been translated into 10 languages. Mr. Samara earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in graphic design as a Trustee Scholar from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia in 1990.
Trailer
01: Introduction to Graphic Design
Module 1—Getting Started: Lesson 1
12 min
02: Graphic Design: Areas of Specialization
Module 1—Getting Started: Lesson 2
14 min
03: The History of Graphic Design
Module 1—Getting Started: Lesson 3
40 min
04: The Graphic Designer’s Toolkit
Module 1—Getting Started: Lesson 4
12 min
05: The Graphic Designer’s Tools: Color
Module 1—Getting Started: Lesson 5
6 min
06: The Graphic Designer’s Tools: Typography
Module 1—Getting Started: Lesson 6
2 min
07: The Graphic Designer’s Tools: Layout & Space
Module 1—Getting Started: Lesson 7
7 min
08: Typical Work Processes
Module 1—Getting Started: Lesson 8
9 min
09: Designing an Advertisement
Module 1—Getting Started: Lesson 9
42 min
10: Designing a Poster
Module 1—Getting Started: Lesson 10
29 min
11: Designing a Book Layout: Basic Concepts
Module 1—Getting Started: Lesson 11
36 min
12: Designing a Book Layout: The Details
Module 1—Getting Started: Lesson 12
21 min
13: Designing a Website
Module 1—Getting Started: Lesson 13
27 min
14: Designing a Brand Identity: Preparation
Module 1—Getting Started: Lesson 14
26 min
15: Designing a Brand Identity: Showing the Client
Module 1—Getting Started: Lesson 15
18 min
16: Building Brand Language
Module 1—Getting Started: Lesson 16
14 min
17: Designing the Touchpoints
Module 1—Getting Started: Lesson 17
11 min
18: Fundamentals Are Forever
Module 1—Getting Started: Lesson 18
4 min
19: Color Identity
Module 2—Color: Lesson 1
24 min
20: Color Relationships
Module 2—Color: Lesson 2
21 min
21: Palettes & Systems
Module 2—Color: Lesson 3
15 min
22: Color as Meaning
Module 2—Color: Lesson 4
7 min
23: Form & Image Toolbox
Module 3—Form & Image: Lesson 1
15 min
24: Media & Stylization
Module 3—Form & Image: Lesson 2
31 min
25: Representation & Manipulation
Module 3—Form & Image: Lesson 3
19 min
26: Visual Narrative & Metaphor
Module 3—Form & Image: Lesson 4
25 min
27: Typography: The Basics
Module 4—Type: Lesson 1
16 min
28: Style: Choosing & Mixing
Module 4—Type: Lesson 2
18 min
29: Text-Setting Mechanics
Module 4—Type: Lesson 3
25 min
30: Styles: Visual Qualities of Text
Module 4—Type: Lesson 4
19 min
31: Interactions of Forms in Space
Module 5—Layout: Lesson 1
6 min
32: Arrangement, Logic & Rhythm
Module 5—Layout: Lesson 2
10 min
33: Contrast & Hierarchy
Module 5—Layout: Lesson 3
3 min
34: Unifying Type & Imagery
Module 5—Layout: Lesson 4
6 min
35: Working with Grids (or Not)
Module 5—Layout: Lesson 5
10 min
36: Bringing It All Together
Module 5—Layout: Lesson 6
3 min
