Graphic Design History and Methods
Renowned authors and leading faculty at Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) Brockett Horne and Ellen Lupton challenge designers to build effective, sustainable, ethical, and rewarding creative practices.
Graphic design is all around us. From apps and infographics to theme parks and bike lanes, every public place and interactive product employs design to influence behavior and craft memorable experiences. In a series of conversations, Horne and Lupton combine ideas from art, business, psychology, and critical theory with a range of new and established design methodologies. This program offers insights into essential aspects of graphic design practice, from history to theory and methods.
Course 1, Introduction to Graphic Design History, provides an overview of graphic design history. These sessions will change your understanding of everything from fonts and brands to posters and propaganda. Lessons cover a range of topics from early printing to Art Nouveau, Constructivism, Dada, Bauhaus, and current design discourse. Short quizzes and exercises help students apply their historical knowledge to create designed objects.
Course 2, Graphic Design Methods, examines the design process itself. Students will experiment with different approaches to making and thinking. Topics include storytelling, authorship and ownership, systems and identities, multisensory design, principles of design thinking, behavior and interaction, and more. Creative prompts invite students to apply new theories and methods to intriguing challenges, while quick quizzes help students retain their learning.
What students are saying:
"Ellen Lupton and Brockett Horne's creative collaboration makes this lecture series both engaging and entertaining (while still being educational, of course). The assignments were well thought out, and lots of fun. Thank you for such a terrific course! :D "
"Good course to get a handle on graphic design. I am a musician but enjoyed taking this course to learn more about how to make album art work and posters for my shows. The two teachers were great to watch together and motivated me to keep learning."
Learning Outcomes
- Apply tools of critical inquiry to creative form-making
- Actively apply conceptual tools and techniques to basic design problems
- Analyze relationships among designers, users, process, and artifacts
Overview
- Session 1: Origins of Text and Graphic Design
- Session 2: Liberated Styles of the Late 1800s
- Session 3: Avant-Garde: New Representations in Objects and Space
- Session 4: Mechanical Abstractions and Photomontage
- Session 5: Practicality in Typography
- Session 6: International Styles
- Session 7: Cultural Revolutions
- Session 1: Concepts
- Session 2: Engaging Users
- Session 3: Makers
Featured Coursework
- Build a design concept presentation with multiple components. Assignments will build upon one another sequentially resulting in a portfolio of artifacts
- Create a system of graphic symbols to represent an idea or process
- Develop a concept for a user-oriented system, service, or product
Requirements
Materials:
- Access to note-taking tools and basic design tools, such as pencils, scissors and tape, drawing pens
Equipment:
- Laptop, desktop, or tablet device
Software:
- Access to digital drawing software, such as Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop
- A verified Specialist Certificate that prove you completed the Program and mastered the subject.*
- A verified course Certificate for each individual course you complete in the program.*
- 3.0 transferable academic college credit(s) (additional fees apply)
* Each certificate earned is endorsed by Kadenze and the offering institution(s).
Price: $300 USD *
Add college credit at checkout or later for just $900
Specialist Certificate
Credit Eligible
Why join a Program?
Becoming a specialist in a subject requires a highly tuned learning experience connecting multiple related courses. Programs unlock exclusive content that helps you develop a deep understanding of your subject. From your first course to your final summative assessment, our thoughtfully curated curriculum enables you to demonstrate your newly acquired skills.