GRAPHIC DESIGN
CRASH COURSE
COURSE OUTLINE
COURSE OBJECTIVES
By the end of this course, students will:
• Understand the fundamentals of graphic design, including
principles, color theory, typography, and composition.
• Gain hands-on experience using Canva, Adobe Photoshop,
and Adobe Illustrator.
• Develop strong design skills for creating social media
graphics, posters, logos, and brand identities.
• Build a professional portfolio with real-world projects and
challenges.
• Learn personal branding, pricing strategies, and how to
position themselves as professional designers.
• Work on live client projects to gain industry experience.
• Receive mentorship and guidance on freelance opportunities
and career growth.
What Students Should Expect
During the Course:
✔ Interactive tutorials and practical hands-on training.
✔ Design challenges to test creativity and real-world
application.
✔ Mentorship from experienced graphic designers.
✔ Guest sessions from industry professionals.
✔ Constructive feedback on designs and progress tracking.
✔ Opportunities to collaborate on projects with fellow
students.
Student Requirements
To maximize learning and successfully complete the
course, students must:
✅ Be available and on time for all sessions.
✅ Collaborate with other students when required.
✅ Have the right tools of trade (smartphone and laptop).
✅ Follow instructions regarding assignments and
mentorship activities.
WHAT IS GRAPHIC DESIGN?
Graphic design is the art and practice of visually
communicating ideas, messages, and information through
creative elements such as typography, images, colors, and
layouts. It blends creativity and technology to create designs
that engage, inform, and inspire an audience.
What Does Graphic Design Entail?
Graphic design covers a broad range of disciplines,
including:
Visual Identity & Branding
• Designing logos, color palettes, typography, and brand
guidelines to establish a company's identity.
• Ensuring brand consistency across digital and print
materials.
Print Design
• Creating business cards, brochures, posters, flyers,
magazines, and packaging for marketing and branding.
• Understanding printing processes and color models like
CMYK vs. RGB.
Digital & Social Media Design
• Designing engaging content for social media posts, ads,
and banners.
• Using tools like Canva, Photoshop, and Illustrator to
create high-quality graphics.
UI/UX (User Interface & Experience) Design
• Designing website layouts, app interfaces, and user
experiences for digital platforms.
• Ensuring designs are functional, accessible, and visually
appealing.
Motion Graphics & Animation
• Creating animated graphics, GIFs, and video effects for
ads, social media, and presentations.
• Using tools like Adobe After Effects for motion design.
Illustration & Infographics
• Designing custom illustrations and data visualizations to
make information more engaging.
• Used in education, marketing, and editorial content.
Advertising & Marketing Design
• Creating visual campaigns for businesses, including
billboards, digital ads, and email graphics.
• Enhancing brand awareness and engagement through
compelling visuals.
Graphic design is essential in business, entertainment,
education, and technology, making it a valuable skill for
anyone interested in creativity and communication.
INTRODUCTION
Introduction to the Course Structure and Learning Approach
This course is structured into 36 lessons over three months,
with classes on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
The learning approach combines theory, practical
assignments, and challenges to ensure hands-on experience.
Students will engage in live tutorials, guided projects, and
interactive Q&A sessions, ensuring they develop strong design
skills and industry knowledge.
TOOLS AND SOFTWARE OVERVIEW
• Canva – A beginner-friendly tool for creating posters, social
media content, and presentations.
• Adobe Photoshop – Used for photo editing, retouching, and
graphic compositions. Essential for digital design.
• Adobe Illustrator – A vector-based tool for logo design,
branding, and illustration. Perfect for scalable graphics.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN GRAPHIC DESIGN
🎨 Freelance Designer – Work independently with clients
globally.
📱 Social Media Content Creator – Design for brands’ social
media presence.
🖥 UI/UX Designer – Create user-friendly web and app
interfaces.
🏢 In-House Designer – Work for companies in marketing,
branding, and advertising.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN GRAPHIC DESIGN
📚 Brand Identity Designer – Specialize in logos, business
cards, and full brand identities.
🎥 Motion Graphics Designer – Create animated content and
video graphics.
COURSE OUTLINE
AND OVERVIEW
1 MARCH
• Introduction to the course structure and learning approach
• Overview of graphic design industry trends
• Expectations and goals for students
• Tools and software overview: Canva, Photoshop, Illustrator
• Career opportunities in graphic design
4-6 MARCH
Fundamentals of Graphic Design
• March 4th: Introduction to Graphic Design
• What is graphic design?
• Career paths in design
• Overview of design software (Canva, Photoshop, Illustrator)
• March 6th: Principles of Graphic Design
• Contrast, balance, alignment, proximity, repetition
• Color theory and typography basics
• Layout and composition techniques.
8 MARCH
March 8th – Canva Exclusive Mentorship
• Introduction to Canva for beginners and
professionals
• Designing social media posts, flyers, and business
cards
• Canva Pro tools and how to maximize efficiency
• Practical session: Create a brand kit using Canva
11-22 MARCH.
Photoshop Exclusive Mentorship
• Introduction to Photoshop workspace and tools
• Working with layers and masks
• Photo retouching and manipulation
• Creating posters and social media graphics
• Design mockups and product branding
Practical sessions after every tut
24 MARCH- 6 APRIL
Photoshop Poster Design Challenge
• Daily design challenges with different themes
• Real-world poster projects (branding, advertising, social media)
• Feedback and critique sessions
• Selecting the best designs for portfolio use
8-19 APRIL
• Introduction to Adobe Illustrator
• Vector vs. raster graphics
• Logo design fundamentals
• Advanced typography and icon design
• Creating scalable graphics for branding
• Hands-on practice with real-world projects
21 APRIL- 4 MAY
Logo Design Challenge
• Daily logo design prompts for different
industries
• Creating unique and effective logos
• Logo presentation and mockups
• Best logo designs to be added to
students’ portfolios
6-10 MAY
Brand Identity Design
• Understanding brand identity and visual
consistency
• Creating brand guidelines
• Designing business cards, letterheads,
and social media kits
• Real-life case studies of strong brand
identities
• Practical sessions and live feedback
13-17 MAY
May 19th – 25th: Real-Time Client
Projects(Attach real time poster)
• Working on actual projects for clients
• Collaborative teamwork on large-scale
designs
• Presentation and revision process
• Client feedback and finalization of work
19-25 MAY
Positioning as a Graphic Designer
• Personal branding for designers
• Creating an outstanding portfolio
• Pricing strategies and handling clients
• Social media marketing for designers
• Networking and finding freelance
opportunities
31ST MAY
• Certificate awarding ceremony
• Portfolio showcase
• Special guest graphic designer talk
• Networking and celebration
THANK
YOU
