Principles of Graphic Design
with
Tonya Scalese

Subject Area

The Principles of Design class is intended for any age group interested in learning design skills. The completion of the digital scrapbooking assignment would interest anyone who has previous experience with crafts or traditional scrapbooking. 

The student will learn the basics of design. Students will be required to examine elements of photography, the color spectrum as well as layout principles. The ability to draw is not required. Students will apply their new knowledge of design by completing four assignments, including: business card design, poster design, scrapbook page and an advertisement for a fictitious business. Students will also get a basic knowledge of Photoshop in order to complete assignments.

Textbook

The Non-Designer's Design Book (Paperback)
by Robin Williams
ISBN: 0321534042

There are over 100 new and used books available on the Amazon marketplace for under $2.00

Course Outline

1. Rule of thirds: This basic photography principle is also important in graphic design. Students will examine various photographs and advertisements in order to identify the rule of thirds.

2. Proximity: Proximity deals with how elements are placed on the page. Students will be 
introduced to this rule by looking at examples and will also be required to find examples of correct and incorrect proximity. 

3. Alignment: Alignment skills will be examined by testing left, right, and center alignment settings on various text, font and graphic examples. 

4. Repetition: Students will learn the art of repeating various graphic design elements throughout a single piece of work. 

5. Contrast: The use of shadow and light, dark and bright, and small and large elements will be examined and then used in student work.

6. Color and white space: Color is a very important aspect of all design. Black and white along with bright colors will be examined along with the appropriate uses for each. 

Chats:
Once a week to answer any questions.