Design Development and Professional Practice

This unit advances students’ ability to refine and develop graphic design solutions through data-informed sketching and iterative design development, applying principles of proportion, color, and typographic hierarchy while addressing color accessibility. It also teaches practical professional skills — low-cost tool selection (software, mobile apps, AI assistants), freelance vs. agency evaluation, pricing, and ethical decision-making — building on prior foundations and preparing students to produce portfolio-ready work and professional project briefs in the final unit.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze user and project data to inform and revise concept sketches and design development during Phase 4 and Phase 5, documenting at least two data-driven iterations
• Apply principles of proportion, scale, color combination, and typographic hierarchy to create at least two refined mockups that meet stated accessibility contrast guidelines
• Demonstrate proficiency using budget-conscious software, mobile apps, and one AI-powered design assistant to produce and optimize assets, justifying tool choices for freelance or agency workflows
• Evaluate professional practices including pricing strategies, client engagement, and the ethics of speculative work to produce a project brief and a justified pricing proposal