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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Fundamentals of Graphic Design by California Institute of the Arts

4.8
stars
18,387 ratings

About the Course

The Fundamentals of Graphic Design course offered by CalArts on Coursera provides a comprehensive introduction to the essential building blocks of visual communication. This practice-oriented program focuses on four primary pillars: imagemaking, typography, shape and color theory, and the principles of composition. Unlike software-specific tutorials, this curriculum emphasizes the act of making and the mastery of design principles. It encourages participants to transform abstract concepts into tangible design projects. Learners will explore diverse techniques for visual representation and gain a technical understanding of how to manipulate rhythm, pattern, and contrast to organize information effectively. Please note that this course focuses on conceptual and formal principles rather than technical software instruction. While projects may be completed using tools like Adobe Creative Suite, specific tutorials for Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign are not provided. The curriculum is designed to build foundational design proficiency that is applicable across any analog or digital toolset. By the end of the program, learners will have developed a core set of graphic design skills applicable to personal creative projects or further specialized study in professional design. This course serves as a critical first step for any aspiring communicator looking to master the universal visual language that shapes global culture and media....

Top reviews

EJ

Sep 5, 2021

I had a lot of fun in this course. I learnt some extra bits of information related to graphic design and I think it's a great start for beginners as well as good practice for intermediate and experts!

RT

Jun 24, 2020

It is a very useful course in which i learn typography Image making virtual,single,multicontrasts And what not it is a very good course i ever scene thanking course era for giving this oppurtinity

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726 - 750 of 4,686 Reviews for Fundamentals of Graphic Design

By Meduri D S

Jun 22, 2021

This course is so Interesting and i have gained knowledge in so many aspects.

I recommend this course to the people who are interested in graphic design and also you learn from scratch.

By AIKATERINI T

May 8, 2021

Nice course enjoyed the fact that it was simple and did not give you so much information that will get you discouraged. It gives a very good way of thinking, creating, and methodology.

By Tushar G

Jan 20, 2021

This course is for people who want to learn the creativity part of graphic design. They don't teach any software here. But this is a amazing course for increasing our creativity level.

By Alim B

Dec 17, 2020

This is some really professional grade knowledge. I did not know that this course could have such a great impact on my ideology of design. This changed everything I think about design.

By Rom B

May 4, 2020

excellent teacher and course.

i considered giving 4 stars because some students rating my assignments not according to the rules so i hope you will consider a way to solve this problem.

By Kristen B

May 16, 2018

Very detailed and easy to understand course on everything graphic design. The course goes over the fundamentals in a fun, engaging way. Definitely recommend for anyone pursuing design!

By Kristof O S

Nov 18, 2025

I am absolutely satisfied and very happy about the opportunity to learn here. The course was a lot of fun and was very clear and educational. Thank you very much for this opportunity.

By KK H

Feb 2, 2022

The instructor gives a concise but precise demonstration of concepts. And I enjoyed a lot doing these assignments which actually gave me oppotunity to really DO something with design.

By Jun

Jun 18, 2021

As I expected, this course help me a lot to improve my knowledges of graphic design. I have learned so many new stuffs and I am really grateful that I got a chance to take this course

By Vinicius S A

Aug 12, 2020

I learned a lot doing this course. The metodology is very objective and the contents are very accesible. I am starting now the next course in this specialization. Thank you very much.

By Karysia M

Dec 13, 2021

Excellent!! The professor explains effortlessly clearly and with passion. Now I have some basic and really useful knowledge to keep my studies in graphic design by myself. Loved it!

By Valentina H C

Jul 17, 2020

This course is really good, is an amazing opportunity to get a first contact with basics of graphic design. The course methodology helps to learn everything in a pretty didactic way.

By Kevin E

Sep 11, 2018

Really cool. Richard Worthington is a dude, not so Lebowski, but more Rand. I really enjoyed the videos and the information. Super. Thank you kindly. Keep up the good work. Good bye.

By Sanda L

Dec 6, 2016

This was a very nice course for beginners and it helped me very much. I'm now on the last module and I am very excited to make the final project. I strongly recommend it to anyone.

By Mauricio G F

Mar 14, 2016

Fundamentals of graphic design is a terrific introductory course!!! This was my fist contact with art and graphics. Thank a lot for your lessons and advices.

Mauricio García

Colombia

By Thomasina I

Feb 17, 2016

This is a good course and you will learn to be creative and learn about things you haven't done before. I would suggest anyone who wants to learn the fundamentals to take this course

By João R P

Jan 30, 2016

I've barely started this course and it's already been a great artistic breakthrough for me. It certainly has opened my mind to the variety and depthness that graphic design can have.

By Mariana M

Dec 26, 2015

I really enjoyed the classes and the explanations were clear, precise and professional. thank you very much for preparing this classes. The exercises and references were very useful.

By Fran C

Feb 14, 2021

This was a great introductory class to graphic design. The assignments really helped get my creative juices flowing. A great course for anyone who is interested in any design field.

By Mariela

Feb 4, 2021

It was great fun! I have learned so much in such a short amount of time! I just wish I had more Instructor grading and feedback than peer, not that I appreciated peer feed back ofc.

By Harry B

Jun 29, 2017

The instructor was great! His tone, style and word execution kept my focus. His projects invited learning and experimentation which is very important in working with Graphic Design.

By Maria C V

Jan 11, 2016

Excellent course. Enjoyed the classes and all of the projects. I recommend doing the optional projects as well, because you get a chance to apply everything that you learn on class.

By Renaldo Q

Aug 7, 2017

Thank you for a great introduction to Graphic Arts and helping and old student reach his goals and dreams to work in the Artistic field. CalArts is awesome and well worth the cost.

By Ausi S

Sep 4, 2016

This course teach me a lot about graphic design in a whole. For those who wanted to learn more about graphic design and has no knowledge about this, I recommend to try this course.

By Alex Z

Dec 26, 2015

excelente, me gusta que puedo ir a mi ritmo, el profesor explica de manera muy digerible, los temas son amenos y los brief despumes de cada capitulo ayudan a reafirmar lo aprendido