The Language of Design: Form and Meaning

Instructors: Randy Nakamura +1 more

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What you'll learn

  •   Recall and explain a lexicon of key terms relating to form, meaning, and audience, and apply them successfully within an appraisal of graphic design
  •   Establish and articulate criteria for successful outcomes in a design project that are not limited by personal taste.
  •   Employ various ways of talking about visual form, meaning, and context for a given work of design in an objective way. 
  •   Develop an ability to engage with a work of design in an objective way.
  • Skills you'll gain

  •   Typography
  •   Graphic Design
  •   Design Reviews
  •   Visual Design
  •   Design Elements And Principles
  •   Design
  •   Peer Review
  •   Creative Design
  • There are 5 modules in this course

    This course will introduce a lexicon (or vocabulary) in order for you to demonstrate clearer and more considered ways of talking about graphic design in the context of critique. Through this lexicon and a provided Critique Framework, we will model and then practice objectively describing how well a work of design functions based on specific, clearly articulated criteria. By refining this skill, you will enhance your ability to communicate about design with peers, colleagues, and clients. This course is essential to anyone looking to develop and refine a critical vocabulary around talking about art and design, such as: - practicing graphic designers at all levels - future and current students of art or design programs - teachers teaching visual art, design, or related subjects - any stakeholder in a design project that needs to communicate effectively with designers on their team. This course is recommended to learners enrolled in either the Graphic Design Specialization or UI/UX Design Specialization on Coursera to further develop their skills in graphic design. You may take this course before, during, or after completing either Specialization. Note this is not an art appreciation course for a general audience. While no prior experience is required to begin, the knowledge and skills taught in this course is useful only if you have some relationship to design in a professional context, i.e., practicing, studying, or teaching design, or working directly with designers. No specific software or tools are required to complete this course.

    Week 1: Audience/Context/Culture

    Week 2: Basics of Form

    Week 3: Meaning and Concept

    Week 4: Synthesis: Critique and Effective Design

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