Foundations of Graphic Design Practice

This unit introduces core graphic design foundations: the design process, audience empathy, hand sketching, visual principles (balance, unity, movement, hierarchy, alignment, space), grid systems, and basic brand thinking. Students will practice creating project briefs, selecting appropriate tools and workflows, and building collaborative and evaluative skills that prepare them for more advanced design projects in subsequent units.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze audience needs and project constraints using empathy techniques and pre-design inquiry to develop clear project goals and a concise project brief
• Apply fundamental principles of design (balance, unity, movement, hierarchy, alignment, and space) and appropriate grid types to produce iterative thumbnail sketches and layout concepts
• Demonstrate the ability to define brand personality, purpose, tone, and message by creating rationale-driven design directions that prioritize quality over quantity
• Evaluate analog and digital tools, collaborative strategies, and workflow options to select and justify an efficient, team-ready approach for developing design solutions