Advanced Graphic Design

advanced graphic design course online -- graphic design class

Advanced Graphic Design Graphic design demands the visual representation of concepts or ideas. In this advanced, hands-on course, you'll build creative skills for tackling the challenging professional projects. The main focus of this class will be on creating 2D digital design projects and developing portfolio pieces.

Assignments will include annual report layout, postage design, an art poster, and a direct mail piece. Sessions instructor Thom McKenna will help you focus on how to create balanced layouts, reinvent cliches, and captivate your audience. Now get out there and show the design world what you've got!

On this page: enrollment details | instructor | class projects and objectives | prerequisites

Class Title: Advanced Graphic Design Start Date: Classes start daily. Enroll today and gain immediate access. Class Length: Three months of access to class materials and instructor feedback. Instructor: Thom McKenna Other details: Self-paced, online, 24 access to online learning environment
	Tuition: $1100

TOP: Image from Advanced Graphic Design with Thom Mckenna.

Class Instructor Bio: Thom McKenna is the Owner/Senior Creative Director of FlatironWorks, a graphic/multimedia design firm based in New York City. Thom has over 12 years experience in the graphic design industry, including multimedia and television work within the advertising, design and publishing world. As Art Director of Emerging Markets, an international daily newspaper covering the major IMF/World Bank and Regional Bank meetings, Thom has published on-site in the following countries: Argentina, Bulgaria, China, Ivory Coast, England, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, The Philippines, Portugal, Russia and Spain. His current clients include Sports Illustrated, JP Morgan, American Express, AIG, Thomson Financial, Thomson Publishing, Berlitz International, Citibank, Tower Air, and Merrill Lynch.

Class Projects and Objectives:

This online class is packed with projects and tips. Students can expect to: 

• Explore key aspects of the graphic designer's trade.
• Learn some of the 19th century conditions that led to the emergence of graphic design.
• Trace 20th century art movements that influenced graphic design from Art Nouveau to Post-Modernism.
• Demonstrate an understanding of a 20th century art movement style by finding a contemporary design influenced by a 20th century art movement.
• Create a retro stamp design that is a tribute to an art movement.
• Learn how the creative process fits into professional working practices.
• Learn the importance of the process of iteration.
• Create a cover and inside spread for a corporate annual report, folding out from a front cover to a 3-page spread.
• Examine some design fundamentals and the role of creativity in design.
• Study typical approaches to representation.
• Examine several classic themes and mechanisms.
• Explore the issue of transforming or avoiding cliché.
• Design an initial children's book cover using text and provided illustrations.
• Learn about the influence of the theory of natural proportion on the arts.
• Examine how designers use balance and symmetry to create visual order.
• Explore how techniques for creating perspective can simulate a sense of depth.
• Learn some principles for using color in a composition.
• Create a geometrical template using grid or golden section principles.
• Create a poster design using a personal text, image, and brief, addressing composition and color concepts from the lesson.
• Learn working guidelines used by graphic information designers.
• Study the application of information design concepts.
• Examine different ways of applying typography to deliver a message.
• Study seven principles of perception helpful to creating a coherent message.
• Design landmark icons and legends for an international airport map and apply that graphical system to three map views of the terminal.
• Learn about applications for graphic design in advocacy and protest.
• Explore techniques that designers use to agitate or excite viewers.
• Study some applications of humor in graphic design.
• Examine the core competencies for a successful graphic design career.
• Design a direct mail piece for a social or political cause.
• Use a letter and envelope template to design or develop a direct mail template.