Agile Design
COID 334 | Online | 1st 7 Weeks | 3 credits
Welcome to Agile Design taught by Jennie Myers. Learn the foundations of graphic design taught for non-designers. Using elements and principles of design, learn how to think and create like a designer. Apply human-centered thinking to develop dynamic, engaging, and effective visual communication pieces while gaining hands-on experience with lightweight, approachable, and modern design tools. Come to listen, understand, and interpret feedback and use it as a competitive advantage. Finish the course with 6 design projects and 1 professional portfolio.
Course Calendar
| Week | Lesson(s) | Projects |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lesson 1: Elements + Principles Learn about the 7 elements of design: line, color, shape, texture, space, form, and typography, and how each of them influences how a piece of work is perceived, executed, and used. | Project 1: Knolling Using the elements and principles of design, create and organize a knolling out of objects that are meaningful to you. |
| 2 | Lesson 2: Assets of Design Learn about the assets of design: typography, photography, illustrations, and iconography, and how to apply and organize them to create tone, mood, and meaning within a design. | Project 2: Step x Step The most important quality of design is its ability to communicate. With that in mind, create a step-by-step guide for your favorite activity, hobby, talent, or skill, breaking it down into easy steps for a beginner. |
| 3 | Lesson 3: Color Theory Learn about the science and art of using color; how humans perceive color and its messages, the visual effects of how colors mix, match, and contrast with each other, and the methods used to replicate color. | Project 3: Fame + Fizz You have been hired by Acme Beverage Co. to concept and design a beverage label for their new line of beverages, “Fame and Fizz.” Applying color theory, pick any famous person and use their life to inspire a beverage style, flavor, and label design. |
| 4 | Lesson 4: UCD/UX/UI Learn about User-Centered Design (UCD), User Experience (UX), and User Interface (UI) and how they influence design decisions. | Project 4: There’s an App for That Using what you’ve learned about User-Centered Design (UCD), User Experience (UX), and User Interface (UI), perform user research to create a wireframe for an app that helps a specific audience manage/organize/improve a specific user experience. |
| 5 | Lesson 5: Effective vs. Pretty Learn how to distinguish between good design and effective design, how to strategically improve a piece of bad design, and gain practice applying the elements and principles of design. | Project 5: Killer Design Considering the elements of good vs effective design, strategically redesign a standard prescription bottle label to improve patient communication and safety. |
| 6 | Lesson 6: Design vs Branding Learn about the relationship between design and branding, the importance of logo design in establishing brand identity and how to create a logo that is differentiated and stands out in a crowded industry. | Project 6: Mad-Lib Logo Design a logo for a business using specific iconography for an audience. |
| 7 | Lesson 7: Portfolio & Wrap-Up Learn tips and tricks for creating an effective and professional portfolio and how to present it, build a network, and market yourself to potential employers. | Project 7: Portfolio Design Want to impress potential employers or provide a case for a promotion? Build a professional portfolio to showcase your new design skills. |