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Develop the creative, technical, and business skills needed to launch your career in graphic design.
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This Graphic Design online short course from the University of Cape Town (UCT) will provide you with the technical skills and creative knowledge needed to make a start in this profession. Guided by a media expert, you’ll develop a basic understanding of how to use Adobe Illustrator,* learn to work with digital images, and explore how to choose effective typefaces to create compelling content for both print and web platforms. As you gain design knowledge and proficiency in the relevant software, you’ll also learn more about the business of graphic design and how to create a professional portfolio.
*GetSmarter won’t provide the software needed for this course; you’ll be responsible for ensuring you have access to it.
This course is aimed at anyone considering graphic design as a new career opportunity. The content offers an introduction to the subject matter, and aims to equip students with a strong foundation in visual communications. Those looking to refresh existing graphic design knowledge may also find this course beneficial. There are no formal prerequisites for registration.
Learn how to design for print and web as you work through the weekly modules of this online short course.
Orientation module: Welcome to your Online Campus
Module 1: What is graphic design?
Module 2: Introduction to Adobe Illustrator
Module 3: Understanding digital images
Module 4: Visual communication
Module 5: Layout and composition
Module 6: Idea generation and research
Module 7: Working with text (typography)
Module 8: Designing for print
Module 9: Creating designs for the web
Module 10: The business of graphic design
Enhance your graphic-design skills and earn an official certificate of completion from the University of Cape Town.
Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with a digital certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the course handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the course.
The percentage of designers who choose personal flexibility and freedom as the main reasons for working as freelancers.
99designs (2020).
The proportion of marketers who say visuals are very important in their marketing strategies.
Venngage (Mar, 2020).
GetSmarter, an edX partner, delivers career-relevant, fully supported, and expert-led online courses from the world's leading universities and institutions. As an online learning expert with over 15 years' experience, GetSmarter leverages long-standing expertise in market research, data analysis, and business insights to ensure that you gain the skills critical to career growth.