Fundamentals of Graphic Design: Making Meaning with Words and Images

Welcome. My name is Joshua Gajownik (Guy-äv-nik in Polish, Ga-jon-ik in…well, American). This class will explore the careful combining of words and images through the design process to create meaningful, lasting impressions and tell stories. It will outline some of the most fundamental skills of a graphic designer. Through the project we will consider what information and imagery would encourage a viewer to visit an art exhibit. What makes it stand out? What emotion should it induce? To achieve this we will:

• Create a concept for an exhibit of your choice or choose an existing exhibit to 'rebrand'
• Create a typographic identity using the exhibit name
• Consider the historical context of fonts. How does a typeface's origin enhance or detract from its ability to effectively communicate information? What does the choice of typeface(s) say about the exhibit?
• Create imagery which supports the identity and conveys the theme of the exhibit. 
• Take photographs, draw illustration in vector or by hand.
• Is there one image, many images, or a combination of photo and illustration?
• Combine image and type into a promotional poster with a clear hierarchy 
• Convey all pertinent information like name, artists, date of exhibit, location, where to find more information, etc.

Through these modules we will consider design fundamentals such as:

• Composition
• Hierarchy
• Scale
• Color
• Texture
• Contrast and more

• Defining our Context
• Making Imagery
• Working with Typography
• Composing a Poster