The Language of Design: Form and Meaning
- Offered byCoursera
- Public/Government Institute
The Language of Design: Form and Meaning at Coursera Overview
Duration | 8 hours |
Total fee | Free |
Mode of learning | Online |
Difficulty level | Beginner |
Official Website | Explore Free Course  |
Credential | Certificate |
The Language of Design: Form and Meaning at Coursera Highlights
- Shareable Certificate Earn a Certificate upon completion
- 100% online Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
- Flexible deadlines Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
- Beginner Level
- Approx. 8 hours to complete
- English Subtitles: Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Italian, Vietnamese, German, Russian, English, Spanish
The Language of Design: Form and Meaning at Coursera Course details
- In this course, critique is defined as a detailed, objective analysis of a work of graphic design and its effectiveness. Critique is an integral part of the making process for designers: it?s not just how we determine if a work of design is or is not successful, it?s how we move our work forward. Critique is also where other voices and opinions can be brought into the design process.
- 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.
The Language of Design: Form and Meaning at Coursera Curriculum
Week 1: Course Orientation and Overview
Course Introduction
Defining Critique
Using the Lexicon and the Critique Framework
Who this course is for
About the Critique Framework
How to Pass This Course
Instructor Presence and Staff Support
Forum Guidelines
Requesting Peer Reviews
Academic Integrity
About CalArts and the Program in Graphic Design
Introduction: Audience/Context/Culture
Thinking Through Making Form
Audience
Visual Language & Cultural Hierarchy
Agenda and function
Lexicon and Bibliography: Audience/Context/Culture
Instructor Critique: Audience/Culture/Context
Audience / Context / Culture
Week 2: Basics of Form
Introduction to Week 2
Introduction: Basics of Visual Form
Visual Contrast: Scale, Shape, Color, and Value
Visual Contrast: Line, Texture, Direction, and Movement
Contrast and Visual Hierarchy
Legibility and Readability
Sharpening and Leveling
Composition: Figure/Ground (from Introduction to Imagemaking)
Case Study/Demonstration Critique 1: April Greiman poster
Case Study/Demonstration Critique 2: Raymond Scott Poster
Case Study/Demonstration Critique 3: Superbad poster
Lexicon and Bibliography: Basics of Form
Case Study/Demonstration Critiques: Introduction
Basics of Form
Week 3: Meaning and Concept
Introduction to Week 3
Denotation and Connotation
Visual Icons, Similes, Symbolism, Metaphors, and Themes
Cliche, Pastiche, Appropriation, Parody, and Satire
Narrative / Sequence / Storytelling
Lexicon and Bibliography: Meaning and Concept
Instructor Critique: Narrative/Sequence
Meaning and Concept
Week 4: Synthesis: Critique and Effective Design
Introduction to Week 4
Agenda and Authorship
Why does design look contemporary?
Synthesizing the Lexicon, Part 1
Synthesizing the Lexicon, Part 2
Synthesizing the Lexicon, Part 3
Synthesizing the Lexicon, Part 4
Synthesis
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