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Course Description

Students 18 and up encouraged to enroll.

This condensed survey course focuses on themes from the history of design with a global perspective. Together, we will teach the emergence of design as a recognized practice, why things look the way they do, and how designers approached specific design problems in their work. Students will develop an understanding of where the wide variety of today's design practice comes from. By participating in this survey of the works of innovative groups and individuals, we outline the process by which graphic design moved from a purely instrumental practice, to becoming a demanding creative and hybridized field.

Each week, a short quiz will test your knowledge of concepts, and a short reflective assignment will give you the opportunity to analyze the questions designers ask themselves today.

This is an essential course for emerging designers entering the field, or for students interested in learning more about visual cultures and analysis. No previous experience is required.

This course is taught from the perspective of contemporary design, to connect ideas that helped formulate design practice through the ages to the ways that designers think today. The relationship of words and pictures in graphic design is looked at through the ever-changing social and cultural contexts, technologies, aesthetics, and politics of their eras and culture sites.

In addition to completing the assignments, students will have the option to participate in instructor-led discussions and critiques. This supplemental experience allows students to inhale with one another as they explore the topics of the course and share feedback.

Learner Outcomes

In this course you will:     

  • explore global trends and shifts in graphic design

  • expand your visual vocabulary both in terms of making and talking about graphic design can art form in order to discuss your work and the work of others

  • develop a basic level of understanding in how graphic design functions as a visual language

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Enroll Now - Select a section to enroll in
Section Title
Ideas from the History of Graphic Design
Type
Online
Dates
Mar 04, 2025 to Apr 08, 2025
Delivery Options
Online-Asynchronous  
Course Fee(s)
Tuition non-credit $475.00 Click here to get more information
Section Fees
Adobe Creative Cloud $250.00 Optional
Section Notes

THIS COURSE IS ACCESSED THROUGH CANVAS

The Canvas platform provides an instructor-led learning experience. These class sizes are small to facilitate discussion and engagement with your instructor and other students. You have access to recorded content from CalArts instructors and may complete the course work at your own pace with set deadlines. The instructor is available in live sessions to answer your questions and provide individualized feedback on assignments.

Most Canvas online courses qualify towards a CalArts Certificate.