Introduction to Graphic Design: Creative Foundations

illuminology Digital Studios offers the premier graphic design course built with 11-18 year olds in mind. This course serves as a gateway to understanding the fundamental principles and concepts that drive effective graphic design. Through a blend of hands-on projects, engaging discussions, and exploration of design history, students will develop a strong foundation in both the theory and practice of graphic design.

Focus On Your Goals

Learn Graphic Design from Beginner to Advanced Courses

Maintain Momentum

Stay on Track w/ Structured Weekly Classes

learn the creativity

Experienced Instructor.

Bringing a wide range of experience — both from the professional animation field and from being an expert homeschooling dad — into teaching students ages 11-18 about this fascinating art form.

  • 35 years of graphic design experience

  • Education and experience as an instructor

live the dream

Not A Class, A Community.

Each student attends a class full of students that are just like them. Taking a class isn’t just about learning skills; it’s also an opportunity to join a growing community of people who love animation.

  • Students interact with real people

  • Receive encouragement and guidance

love the passion

Real Skills & Real Careers.

Benefit from an instructor who has real experience and connections to the animation world. Students have the opportunity to get an idea of what it looks like to work in the animation field.

  • Receive one-on-one feedback

  • Lay the foundation for a real career

feel the excitement

A graphic design course and a community created specifically for school-aged students.

Come learn graphic design from a professional graphic designer and veteran homeschool dad! When you take a class with illuminology Ditigal Studios, you receive more than skills. You get the opportunity to…

  • have tons of fun!
  • interact with other students
  • create digital art, characters, logos, t-shirts and more!
  • learn real skills and lay the foundation for a real career
  • interact directly with field professional and experienced instructor
  • receive personalized video feedback by a professional graphic designer
  • And again, most importantly, is to have lots and lots of fun!

Introduction to Graphic Design: Creative Foundations

SUMMARY

Is your student curious about graphic design? With images all around us, Introduction to Graphic Design guides middle and high school students through the basics of recognizing quality graphic design and how to create eye-catching graphics. For 16 weeks, students explore the elements of design and creation through projects like logos, brochures, T-shirts, and book covers utilizing Adobe Creative Suites programs Photoshop, Illustrator, Fresco and InDesign. Each lesson ends with a hands-on activity to solidify the lesson. And all of these lessons come together with an end of course final project.

COURSE OFFERINGS

This course offers weekly graphic design lessons that study the basics of graphic design. This graphic design homeschool course is ideal for middle school and high school-aged students interested in pursuing a career as a graphic designer.

Introduction to Graphic Design: Creative Foundations

  • Week 1: What is Graphic Design?
  • Week 2: The Elements of Design – Pixels: Building Blocks of Photoshop
  • Week 3: The Elements of Design – Typography: Creating a Sign
  • Week 4: The Elements of Design – Color Theory: Creating Digital Art
  • Week 5: Visual Communication and Semiotics – Social Media Posts
  • Week 6: Layout and Composition – Creating a Book Cover
  • Week 7: Branding and Identity: Creating a Logo
  • Week 8: Packaging and Product Design: Creating a Label Design
  • Week 9: Print Design: Creating a Flyer, Postcard, and Advertisement
  • Week 10: Web and Interactive Design: Creating a Web Banner
  • Week 11: Motion Graphics: Creating an Illustrated Character
  • Week 12: Environmental and Exhibition Design: Creating a Poster
  • Week 13: Design Ethics and Sustainability: Creating a T-Shirt Design
  • Week 14: Design Thinking and Problem Solving: Creating a Brochure
  • Week 15: Building a Design Career: Creating a Design Portfolio
  • Week 16: The End Game (Final Assignment)

Who Should Enroll: This course is designed for middle school and high school students who are intrigued by the art and creativity of graphic design and wish to explore it further. Whether students are beginners or have some experience with drawing/painting, this course offers a solid foundation for understanding the technical and artistic aspects of the craft.

Prerequisites: None

Course Duration: “Introduction to Graphic Design: Creative Foundations” spans one academic semester, with approximately 16 weeks of instruction, hands-on projects, and discussions.

Course Materials: Students will need access to a computer with digital editing software (access to Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign and Fresco is provided), and an internet connection. Optional: Graphics tablet, digitizer, pen tablet, drawing tablet, external drawing pad or digital art board, iPad. Additional resources, including graphic design art books, online tutorials, and curated images, will be provided to enrich the learning experience.

Assessment: Assessment methods include participation, completion of hands-on graphic design projects, quizzes on graphic design concepts, and the quality of the final portfolio presentation.

To view work examples, check out the Portfolio page!

What are the courses like?

See Course Formats below for more information.

Other questions?

Take a look at our frequently asked questions or contact us directly.

Course Format

Live Classes – from $75/wk*

(outside instructor classes/camps priced differently)

  • There are three opportunities per year to attend a live 16-week session: Spring Session, Summer Session, and Fall Session.

  • Class meets once a week via Adobe Connect

  • Interact Live via Chat Box

  • Classes are recorded if student is absent

  • Class graphic design projects graded and reviewed by instructor

  • Full access to the teacher

  • Full access to tech support

  • Adobe Creative Suites is included

*$350/mo via autopay subscription or $1200 w/ one-time payment discount. Full and partial scholarships also available. (email for info)

Other questions?

Take a look at our frequently asked questions or contact us directly.

Session Dates

Applies to Live Classes and Recordings With Grading

FALL 2023

Meets the weeks of September 11 – December 22

SPRING 2024

Meets the weeks of January 15 – April 29

SUMMER 2024

Meets the weeks of May 13 – August 26

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