Graphic Design Course Onboarding Guide


Course Workbook

Access your Graphic Design Course Workbook

Course Materials

Download the Graphic Design Course Materials folder


Graphic Design Course
Section 1: Design Tools

In this section, we learn the technical basics of the top three graphic design programs: Figma, Photoshop, and Illustrator. Through design exercises and drills, you’ll learn the tools of each program, and the reasons why you should use one program versus the other, based on desired deliverables. Upon completion of this section, you’ll have a range of deliverables, and a strong foundation of how to use (and further experiment) in each program.


Level 1:
Figma

What you’ll learn: 

  • Web Design basics

  • Designing social posts for Instagram

  • Create library of assets, colors, and type settings


At ilovecreatives Studio, we do 80% of our creative work in Figma. It’s collaborative, flexible, and intuitive. Realistically, most graphic design work these days leans digital, so Figma is a must for designers who need to create digital assets, with a team, fast. You’ll learn the technical basics of the program through a web design exercise, and a social design exercise.


Assignment:
Design 3 more social posts (in both story + feed format - 6 assets total).

Submission:
Submit prototype presentation link in gdc・1-design-tools channel on Discord.

 

Level 2:
Illustrator

What you’ll learn: 

  • Flexible typography techniques

  • Create a Custom Logo

  • Tracing techniques

    • Create an illustration through tracing with pen tool

  • Shape techniques

    • Create an illustration with shapes

  • Create a pattern

  • Gradient techniques

  • Exporting

Illustrator is our friendly, yet powerful go-to program for logos, illustrations, and all things vector. You’ll learn the basic tools needed to create shapes, transform typography, create patterns, and bring inspiration from the real world into our design process.

Assignment:
Create a custom logo using inspiration from outside.

Submission:
Submit exported .png in gdc・1-design-tools channel on Discord.

 

Level 3:
Photoshop

What you’ll learn: 

  • Setting up a file

  • Removing backgrounds and subjects

  • Using type, shapes, images and masks to create a collage

  • Layer styles and effects

  • Using smart objects to create mockups

  • Exporting

Buckle up! Photoshop is a beast, but we’ve broken down the most practical uses for the program. From selection techniques to using smart objects, you’ll get a comprehensive overview of how to manipulate images and graphics in Photoshop. Most importantly, this level will teach you how to be curious about it’s features - as there is SO much to experiment with and explore.

Assignment:
Create a mockup using smart objects.


Submission:
Submit exported .png in gdc・1-design-tools channel on Discord.


Graphic Design Course
Section 2: Design Process

Time to get CREATIVE! We’ve dialed in our techniques, so now it’s time to walk through our design process. From strategy, research, ideating, explorations and final brand guidelines, you’ll work alongside Puno as you learn the entire process of creating a robust brand design system. Though we focus on creating a brand identity, this design process can be applied to any project of any scale.


Level 1: Strategy

What you’ll learn: 

  • Identifying your dream client (and why)

  • Be curious / Ask Questions

    • Get a branding questionnaire to give clients to fill out (student will fill this out?)

  • How to create a Brand Audit based on the questionnaire

    • Understand what makes a brand unique

  • Learn presentation deck technical skills in Figma (i.e. structure, pg number, etc)

  • Learn how to present to client

  • Learn how to guide client in giving good feedback


A deep dive into how we start thinking about visual design. Our strategy process breaks down how to synthesize a design brief or request, and dissect meaning. This sets up the foundation for any design project. It allows you to get inside the mind of a client, a brand, the product, its target audience, and how to set yourself up for a successful visual brand identity.


Assignment:
Create a brand audit deck in Figma for your dream client.

Submission:
Submit in gdc・2-design-process channel on Discord.

 

Level 2: Research + Moodboards

What you’ll learn: 

  • Where to find inspiration online

  • Turn on the analytical side of your brain that’s aware of design  around you

  • Create succinct visual directions for brand concepts

Let’s find inspiration that’ll provide a jumping point for us to dive into design. Creating moodboards communicates a few solid directions of how the brand identity can manifest through references of logo, color, typography, graphic elements, and photography. This creates further synchronicity with your client so that they can understand why your future design solutions are strong choices. It helps them get excited + feel a part of the process. It also raises more opportunities for feedback so that you can better understand what they like/don’t like.

Assignment:
Create a moodboard presentation with 3 succinct directions in Figma.

Submission:
Submit in gdc・2-design-process channel on Discord.

 

Level 3: Initial Explorations

What you’ll learn:  

  • How to explore typography

  • How to explore colors

  • How to explore logo design

Distill your research into actionable design explorations. How to iterate, explore, and create logo concepts, color palettes, and typography combinations. This exercise requires volume, patience, and following your creative intuition.

Assignment:
Design Explorations, create:

  • 5-10 Type Tests

  • 15 Logo Concepts

  • 10 Typography Combinations

  • 10 Color Palettes

Submission:
Submit in gdc・2-design-process channel on Discord.

 

Level 4: Initial Concepts

What you’ll learn:  

  • Persistence - How to keep exploring and iterating even when you feel stuck

  • Create preliminary mockups for social, web, and packaging

  • Create 2 distinct visual directions

  • Create a brand presentation

  • Creative copywriting - write descriptions that help communicate your thought process

  • Presenting to a client

Sort through your ideations to bring together design concepts. Learn how all the components can start to work together. Start translating initial concepts into preliminary mockups to explore visual graphic styles.

Assignment:
Share a prototype link to your Brand Audit, Moodboard, Brand Concept deck and a link to your screen recording walkthrough.

Submission:
Submit in gdc・2-design-process channel on Discord.

 

Level 5: Refining Concepts

What you’ll learn:  

  • How to review design feedback

  • Aggregate into clear actionable steps

  • Edit your designs

  • Create a revised brand concept presentation

You will receive feedback on your first design presentation (yay!). Now it’s time to distill that feedback and create 1 revised direction that addresses those concerns

Assignment:
Share a prototype link to your Final Concept deck

Submission:
Submit in gdc・2-design-process channel on Discord.

 

Level 6: Finalizing Brand Guidelines

What you’ll learn:  

  • Best practices for creating Brand Guidelines

  • How to export assets like logos, graphics, etc

  • How to export the Brand Guidelines deck as a PDF from Figma

This is the last stage of the design process, where all of your hard work pays off. You’ll learn how to take your final brand concept and create brand guidelines that will set the brand up for success. This level breaks down all the elements of handing off your design system to the world.

Assignment:
Create Brand Guidelines for your dream client

Submission:
Submit in gdc・2-design-process channel on Discord.


Graphic Design Course
Section 3: Portfolio

This section is all about you! With your *new* technical and creative knowledge, it’s time to apply those principles to projects of your own. Together, these projects will form your graphic design portfolio. Your portfolio will be a representation of the work you want to attract as a graphic designer.




Level 1: Time to Create

You'll leave this level with at least 3 complete design projects. Feel free to submit to Discord channel for community feedback as you go!

What you’ll learn: 

  • Finding your style

  • Creating work that reflects your taste, values, and the work you want to do in the future

  • Gaining experience in designing for different types of “client”

  • Practicing speed and finessing design skills

This time is yours. We provide prompts to get you started on your own design process journey. Through this level, you will create 2 more design projects that can be based on our prompts, or completely made up on your own. You have ultimate freedom and flexibility to create design work that inspires you.

Assignment:
Create 2 mini projects based on our prompts

Submission:
Submit in gdc・3-portfolio channel on Discord.

 

Level 2: Your Portfolio

Create a portfolio website to showcase all of your design work. Submit your portfolio URL for review.

What you’ll learn: 

  • Portfolio breakdown & best practices

  • Manifesto/Bio

  • Project Tips

  • Portfolio Examples

Now that you have some exciting work to share, it’s time to give it a home. Today, most designers display their work on a website, or on social media. We focus on creating a graphic design portfolio in the form of a website. We walk through best practices of creating your portfolio online.

Assignment:
Create your portfolio website

Submission:
Submit in gdc・3-portfolio channel on Discord.

 

Graphic Design Course
Section 4: Business

Everything you need to know to help your graphic design career flourish.


Level 1: Business Phases

What you’ll learn: 

  • Designer Phases

  • When to hire help


So you want to be paid as a graphic designer? We’re breaking down the business phases of a graphic designer from a beginner to an agency.


Assignment:
Worksheet

Submission:
Submit screenshot of worksheet in gdc・4-business channel on Discord.

 

Level 2: Setting Up Your Business

What you’ll learn: 

  • Going Full-Time

  • Target Annual Revenue

  • Runway & Availability

In this section we will cover how to set up your business for success. Including how to set revenue goals, and communicate your availability.

Assignments:
Worksheets

Submission:
Submit screenshot of worksheets in gdc・4-business channel on Discord.

 

Level 3: Sales

What you’ll learn: 

  • Pricing Types

  • Project Estimates & Proposals

  • Contracts

We’ll get into the nitty gritty of selling your services. Including how to set your pricing, how to send estimates and proposals, and drafting contracts.

Assignments:
Worksheets

Submission:
Submit screenshot of worksheets in gdc・4-business channel on Discord.

 

Level 4: Project Management

What you’ll learn: 

  • Notion Templates

  • Client Communication

In this section, you’ll learn our project management workflows for smooth sailing projects and happy clients.

Assignments:
Worksheets

Submission:
Submit screenshot of worksheets in gdc・4-business channel on Discord.

 

Level 5: Marketing

What you’ll learn: 

  • Strategy

  • How to find clients

  • Digital Proof

  • Cold Outreach

In this section, you’ll learn how to market yourself as a designer or studio. This includes how to showcase your work, and how to reach out to potential clients (even if you’ve never met).

Assignments:
Worksheets

Submission:
Submit screenshot of worksheets in gdc・4-business channel on Discord.


ilovecreatives
Graphic Design ✹Course™
Resources

Tools, inspiration, templates and 🍪 rewards for your graphic design journey.


Graphic Design Course
Syllabus

This course is entirely self-paced so it can be flexible with your schedule. This is our recommendation on how to pace the course if you are able to work on it at least 25 hours a week.

Orientation

Get an overview of the course, curriculum, syllabus, and meet your fellow students!

Week 1: Section 1 Level 1 (Figma)

Learn Figma by creating a homepage web design, and two social posts.

Estimated completion time:
10 hours

Week 2: Section 1 Level 2 (Illustrator)

Learn Adobe Illustrator by creating a variety of assets.

Estimated completion time:
10 hours

Week 3: Section 1 Level 3 (Photoshop)

Learn Adobe Photoshop by creating a variety of assets.

Estimated completion time:
15 hours

Week 4-5: Section 2 Design Process (Project #1)

Learn the entire design process of creating a Brand Identity while creating your own, alongside Puno.

Estimated completion time:
25 hours

Week 6: Portfolio (Project #2)

Take everything you’ve learned in Section 2 and apply it to a project of your own.

Estimated completion time:
10 - 15 hours

Week 7: Portfolio (Project #3)

Take everything you’ve learned in Section 2 and apply it to another project of your own.

Estimated completion time:
10 - 15 hours

Week 8: Compile Portfolio

Bring together all three design projects into a portfolio website. Create an about page, and include contact information.

Estimated completion time:
10 hours

Week 9: Section 4 Business

Learn how to make your design career sustainable by taking a sneak peak into our business workflows at ilovecreatives Studio.

Estimated completion time:
8 hours


Upcoming & Past
Workshops and Events

ℭommunity ℰvents

Community & Course
Events Calendar↘

Heads up, this is a calendar of ALL events at ilovecreatives, so look for GDC (Graphic Design Course): Orientation and Office Hours with Sarah & Mindy. If you would like to add this Calendar to yours, click here. You can also RSVP in Discord Events.

✦ Orientation
Get to know your classmates and learn more about the course and how to finish, Discord, and the community events!

✦ Office Hours with Sarah and Mindy
(
Wednesdays @ 2:30pm PT on Discord)
If you’ve had questions about the curriculum, Sarah and Mindy will be online to answer at this time.

✦ Super Productive Time
A digital co-working session with awesome creatives!

✹ Add this calendar to yours, click +Google Calendar ↖

OnboardingChelli