• Try “portfolio”, “ink”, “branding” or a code like “PRS 101”.

GDSDepartment

Graphic Design

Design that works for a client and for the people who see it. The fundamentals of type, layout and colour, identity systems and brand packages, album and single artwork, and the production knowledge that gets work printed and delivered correctly.

Courses, in suggested order

These courses are being written now. Each opens for enrolment when it’s finished — the outlines below are the proposed curriculum.

  1. GDS 101

    Typography Fundamentals

    How type works and how to use it well: anatomy, classification, spacing, hierarchy and pairing, practised through short exercises and a typographic poster.Graphic Design    Foundation13 lessons · ~18 hIn development
  2. GDS 102

    Composition and Visual Hierarchy

    Arrange images, type and space so viewers see what matters first: balance, grouping, grids, reading paths and adapting one layout across formats.Graphic Design    Foundation12 lessons · ~16 hPlanned
  3. GDS 103

    Colour Theory

    Practical colour for designers and artists: hue, value and saturation, building palettes, using colour for emphasis, and keeping colour consistent from screen to print.Graphic Design    Foundation12 lessons · ~14 hPlanned
  4. GDS 201

    Brand Identity Development

    Develop a complete visual identity, from discovery and marks to colour, type, supporting graphics, applications and a brand guidelines document.Graphic Design    Intermediate13 lessons · ~30 hPlanned
  5. GDS 202

    Album Cover Design

    Design cover artwork for albums and singles that works as a tiny streaming thumbnail and as a large printed sleeve, and deliver files a distributor will accept.Graphic Design    Intermediate11 lessons · ~20 hIn development
  6. GDS 203

    Print Production Fundamentals

    Set up files that print correctly the first time: trim, bleed and safe areas, resolution, CMYK and spot colour, fonts, preflight, PDF export and working with printers.Graphic Design    Intermediate11 lessons · ~20 hPlanned
  7. GDS 204

    Preparing Artwork for Merchandise

    Turn artwork into apparel, stickers, prints and accessories: decoration methods, print areas, garment colour, file specs that vary by vendor, honest mockups and sample checks.Graphic Design    Intermediate13 lessons · ~16 hPlanned
  8. GDS 301

    Building a Graphic Design Portfolio

    Select, document and present design projects as clear case studies that show your thinking, tailored to the agency, in-house or freelance work you want.Graphic Design    Advanced12 lessons · ~20 hPlanned
  9. GDS 401

    Presenting Commercial Design Projects

    Present design work to clients so decisions get made: restating the brief, structuring the deck, explaining rationale, handling feedback and documenting what was agreed.Graphic Design    Professional11 lessons · ~12 hPlanned