Lesson 1: Introduction to Graphic Design

• Overview of graphic design as a profession
• Key principles: visual hierarchy, contrast, alignment, balance
• Tools of the trade: Adobe Suite, Sketch, Figma, etc.

Lesson 2: Elements of Design

• Line, shape, color, texture, space, form
• Importance of these elements in graphic design
• Creating and experimenting with basic shapes

Lesson 3: Introduction to Typography

• Understanding typefaces and fonts
• Anatomy of type: baseline, x-height, ascender/descender
• Serif vs. sans-serif fonts, font families, and proper usage

Lesson 4: Typographic Composition

• Kerning, tracking, leading, and spacing
• Hierarchy in typography
• Choosing the right font for different projects

Lesson 5: Understanding Color

• Color models (RGB, CMYK, Pantone)
• Color wheel, primary, secondary, tertiary colors
• Color harmony, warm vs. cool colors, complementary, analogous

Lesson 6: Color in Design

• Using color psychology in design
• Creating color palettes
• Contrast and accessibility in color choices

Lesson 7: Adobe Illustrator Basics

• Introduction to Illustrator tools (pen tool, shapes, layers, etc.)
• Creating vector-based designs
• Working with typography in Illustrator

Lesson 8: Adobe Photoshop Basics

• Introduction to Photoshop tools (selection tools, layers, brushes)
• Basic image editing: cropping, retouching, color correction
• Working with raster-based designs

Lesson 9: The Principles of Layout

• Grid systems, margins, gutters, and columns
• Rule of thirds and golden ratio
• Designing for print vs. web layout considerations

Lesson 10: Compositional Techniques

• Creating a balanced layout: symmetrical, asymmetrical, radial
• Layering and depth in designs
• Using whitespace effectively

Lesson 11: Logo Design Principles

• What makes a great logo?
• Types of logos: wordmark, lettermark, icon, combination
• Sketching and iterating logo ideas

Lesson 12: Branding Design

• Developing a visual identity (logo, typography, color schemes)
• Creating a style guide
• Consistency across brand materials (business cards, stationery, websites)

Lesson 13: Introduction to Web Design

• Understanding the basics of web design: responsive design, mobile-first
• User experience (UX) vs. user interface (UI)
• Introduction to design tools for web (Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD)

Lesson 14: Designing Websites and Apps

• Wireframing and prototyping
• Designing UI elements: buttons, forms, navigation
• Best practices for web accessibility

Lesson 15: Advanced Typography & Layout

• Working with grids, advanced typography techniques
• Multi-page layouts (brochures, magazines)
• Complex compositions for print media

Lesson 16: Motion Graphics and Animation (Intro)

• Introduction to After Effects and other animation tools
• Principles of motion design
• Basic animation: transitions, text animation, logo animation

Lesson 17: Working on a Real-World Project

• Client briefs, project scope, and timelines
• Collaborative work (group project or individual project)
• Feedback loops and revision stages

Lesson 18: Portfolio Building

• How to showcase your work effectively
• Best practices for creating an online portfolio (Behance, personal website)
• Preparing for design interviews

Lesson 19: Project Critique and Review

• Presenting final projects to the class or instructors
• Group critiques and constructive feedback

Lesson 20: Final Project Presentation

• Preparing and presenting the final project
• Refining your portfolio for future opportunities

Lesson 21: Visual Storytelling

• How to use design to tell a story
• Narrative in design: the role of visual cues and symbolism
• Using design to evoke emotions and connect with audiences

Lesson 22: Psychological Aspects of Design

• Understanding color psychology in depth
• Designing for various audiences (age, gender, culture)
• How to influence user behavior through design

Lesson 23: Fundamentals of Print Design

• Understanding the differences between digital and print design
• Working with print specifications: DPI, resolution, color modes
• Preparing designs for various print outputs (brochures, flyers, posters)

Lesson 24: Packaging Design

• Design principles for packaging
• Working with dielines and understanding 3D mockups
• Consumer psychology and the impact of packaging on purchasing decisions

Lesson 25: Introduction to Digital Illustration

• Basic illustration techniques in Illustrator or Procreate
• Working with the pen tool, brush tool, and custom shapes
• Simple illustrations and their use in design (icons, mascots, patterns

Lesson 26: Advanced Illustration Techniques

• Creating detailed illustrations for branding or marketing materials
• Integrating illustrations into layouts and compositions
• Combining illustration with photography or textures for creative effects

Lesson 27: Designing for Ads and Promotions

• Understanding advertising principles
• Designing for social media ads, print ads, and digital banners
• Incorporating calls to action and optimizing for conversion

Lesson 28: Campaign Design

• Developing a cohesive advertising campaign
• Creating multiple touchpoints (posters, social media graphics, banners)
• Consistency and branding across different formats

Lesson 29: Advanced UI/UX Design

• Creating intuitive and user-friendly interfaces
• User research and testing: how to gather data from real users
• Advanced techniques for interaction design (micro-interactions, hover effects)

Lesson 30: Web and Mobile App Prototyping

• • Building interactive prototypes using Figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch
  • Testing and iterating on prototypes with users

Creating a smooth handoff for developers (design fications)

Lesson 31: Advanced Editorial and Magazine Layout Design

• Focus: Designing magazine spreads, books, and editorial content with attention to hierarchy, readability, and style.
• Typography, grids, and color palettes for editorial design.
• Tools: Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator for editorial layouts.
• Balancing visual elements with text to create cohesive layouts.
• Project: Design a magazine spread or editorial piece with original content.

Lesson 32: Designing for Print Production

• Focus: Preparing designs for professional printing, understanding the nuances of print media.
• File setup for CMYK vs. RGB, understanding bleed, trim, and resolution.
• Choosing paper stock, finishes, and other print options for various projects.
• Tools: Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Acrobat for print-ready files.
• Project: Create a print-ready brochure, including proper file prep and final output.

Lesson 33: Advanced Photoshop Techniques for Retouching

• Focus: Mastering advanced photo manipulation and digital retouching techniques.
• Advanced masking techniques, frequency separation, and skin retouching.
• Working with smart objects, 3D mockups, and advanced filters.
• Project: Edit and retouch a fashion photo to a high professional standard.

Lesson 34: Creating Complex Icons and Vectors

• Focus: Designing intricate icons, vector illustrations, and scalable design elements.
• Tools: Adobe Illustrator for vector graphics, the Pen Tool, Pathfinder, and Live Trace.
• Designing for scalability: How to create icons that work on any size.
• Project: Create a comprehensive set of icons for a mobile app or website.

Lesson 35: Advanced Motion Graphics with Cinema 4D

• Focus: Learning 3D motion design to enhance graphic design skills.
• Understanding basic 3D modeling, textures, lighting, and animation within Cinema 4D.
• Integrating 3D elements into video projects for enhanced branding.
• Project: Create a 3D animated logo or product visualization.

Lesson 36: Augmented Reality (AR) for Graphic Designers

• Focus: Creating AR experiences for interactive design applications.
• Tools: Spark AR, Adobe Aero, Unity for AR design.
• AR user interface (UI) design: best practices for user interaction with augmented elements.
• Project: Design a simple AR experience or interactive AR app for a brand or product.

Lesson 37: Packaging Design Fundamentals

• Focus: Creating compelling product packaging that communicates the brand identity and attracts customers.
• Packaging types: retail, e-commerce, food packaging, etc.
• Materials, finishes, and dielines for printing.
• Project: Design packaging for a new product, including dielines, mockups, and branding elements.

Lesson 38: Environmental and Experiential Design

• Focus: Designing physical spaces and environments that communicate brand experiences.
• Exploring the principles of environmental design: large-scale graphics, wayfinding, signage, and experiential design.
• Tools for creating mockups and prototypes of large-scale designs.
• Project: Design an experiential pop-up store or environmental signage for a brand.

Lesson 39: Digital Typography and Type Systems

• Focus: Advanced typography techniques for web and interactive design.
• Custom web fonts, variable fonts, and responsive typography.
• Understanding font licensing, legibility, and accessibility on digital platforms.
• Project: Develop a complete type system for a website or app design.

Lesson 40: Cross-Cultural Design and Global Trends

• Focus: Understanding design in the context of global markets and cultural sensitivity.
• The impact of cultural influences on design, color meaning, and symbolism.
• Navigating design for global brands: Localizing designs for different regions and audiences.
• Project: Redesign a global brand’s visual identity to appeal to a specific region.

Lesson 41: Advanced Web Design and UX/UI

• Focus: Mastering web design for user experience and interface aesthetics.
• Designing for accessibility and inclusive design practices.
• Advanced techniques for responsive and adaptive web design.
• Project: Build a fully responsive website with a strong focus on user-centered design principles.

Lesson 42: Designing for Voice User Interfaces (VUI)

• Focus: Understanding the design of voice-first interactions, such as smart speakers and voice-controlled apps.
• Principles of voice user interface design: audio cues, feedback, and flow.
• Tools for designing VUI (Google Assistant, Alexa, Siri).
• Project: Create a voice-based app interface for a product or service.

Lesson 43: Advanced 3D Visualization for Branding

• Focus: Creating immersive 3D brand visuals for marketing, including product visualizations and animated branding.
• Tools: Blender, Cinema 4D, and After Effects for 3D modeling and rendering.
• Exploring real-time rendering engines like Unreal Engine for high-quality visuals.
• Project: Design a 3D product visualization and animate it for a promotional campaign.

Lesson 44: UX Writing and Microcopy

• Focus: The importance of language in user interface design, focusing on microcopy and UX writing.
• Writing concise, effective microcopy for buttons, tooltips, and user flows.
• Understanding how UX writing impacts user behavior and perception of a product.
• Project: Revise an app or website with clear, actionable UX copy to enhance user experience.

Lesson 45: Cinematic Video Editing and Motion Design

• Focus: Combining video editing with motion graphics to tell compelling visual stories.
• Using Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Final Cut for motion graphics integration.
• Video transitions, text animations, and compositing for cinematic sequences.
• Project: Edit and create a motion-graphic infused video commercial or promo.

Lesson 46: Advanced Branding for Startups and Digital Products

• Focus: Crafting visual identities for new companies, products, or digital services.
• Brand creation for digital products, focusing on scalability and adaptability.
• Logo design, color theory, and typography for startups.
• Project: Design a brand identity from scratch for a new digital product or service.

Lesson 47: Design for Smart Devices and IoT

• Focus: The intersection of graphic design with smart technology and Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
• User interface (UI) design for wearable devices, smart home gadgets, and embedded displays.
• Creating intuitive and visually engaging designs for small and unique screen sizes.
• Project: Design an app interface for a wearable tech device or IoT gadget.

Lesson 48: Ethical and Sustainable Design Practices

• Focus: Understanding the role of ethics and sustainability in modern graphic design.
• Designing for eco-friendly packaging, minimalism, and sustainable production.
• The ethical responsibility of designers in promoting diversity, inclusivity, and accessibility.
• Project: Create a sustainable design campaign or redesign a product packaging with environmental considerations.

Lesson 49: Photography and Design Integration

• Focus: Integrating professional photography with graphic design to enhance visual storytelling.
• Advanced techniques for working with photographers: pre-visualization and post-processing.
• Using photography in design, such as backgrounds, hero images, and product showcases.
• Project: Create a cohesive brand campaign using your own photography or stock photography, integrated with design elements.

Lesson 50: The Future of Graphic Design: Trends and Innovations

• Focus: Looking ahead to emerging trends and technologies shaping the future of design.
• The influence of Artificial Intelligence, AR/VR, and generative design on graphic design.
• Design tools of the future: Automation, machine learning, and voice-driven design tools.
• How emerging technologies and changing social dynamics will influence the design landscape.
• Project: Research a new technology or design trend and present its potential impact on the graphic design industry.