Graphic Design Course Syllabus

Overview: This beginner-friendly course is designed to equip learners with foundational graphic design skills for creating professional and visually appealing content. Over approximately 30 hours of flexible, self-paced learning, you'll explore core design principles, software tools, and practical applications in presentations, reports, and resumes. The course includes hands-on projects, peer feedback, and revision exercises to help you refine your work. By the end, you'll complete a final project that demonstrates your ability to apply design best practices effectively.

Module 1: Create Professional Visuals

Estimated time: 10 hours

• Apply design best practices from professional experience
• Enhance visuals in presentations, resumes, and reports
• Use Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides, and Apple Keynote effectively
• Revise designs based on peer feedback

Module 2: Design Fundamentals

Estimated time: 6 hours

• Understand layout principles and visual hierarchy
• Learn color theory and effective color combinations
• Explore typography basics and font selection
• Master composition techniques for balance and clarity

Module 3: Software Skills for Design

Estimated time: 6 hours

• Gain proficiency in PowerPoint, Google Slides, and Keynote
• Introduction to Adobe Photoshop for image editing
• Basics of Adobe Illustrator for vector graphics
• Explore Adobe InDesign for layout design

Module 4: Practical Application in Visual Content

Estimated time: 5 hours

• Create professional PowerPoint presentations
• Design visually engaging reports and documents
• Build an effective and attractive resume
• Apply design principles across various content types

Module 5: Feedback and Revision

Estimated time: 3 hours

• Learn how to give and receive constructive critiques
• Iterate on design projects using feedback
• Refine work from good to great through revision

Module 6: Final Project

Estimated time: 10 hours

• Design a comprehensive visual project (e.g., presentation or report)
• Incorporate layout, typography, and color theory
• Submit for peer review and implement feedback

Prerequisites

• Basic computer literacy
• Familiarity with using composition-friendly software (e.g., word processors or presentation tools)
• Access to Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Apple Keynote

What You'll Be Able to Do After

• Create visually appealing and professional presentations
• Apply core design principles like layout, color, and typography
• Use common design tools effectively
• Produce compelling resumes, reports, and visual content
• Respond to feedback and improve designs through iteration