Digital Graphic Design – An Introduction

Developed primarily for beginners, this course will introduce you to the software most commonly used in graphic design. You’ll learn how to navigate Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign effectively and efficiently, as well as how to use the wide variety of design tools within the software with ease.

You’ll be taught the key skills and techniques needed to create digital designs and will then be encouraged to practise your newly developed skills across a range of different case studies. Through a combination of digital-based workshops and guided feedback you’ll be introduced to layout, composition, type, and image.

As well as developing creative design strategies, you’ll be encouraged to bring your own experiences and interests to your work to find your own creative design identity and develop a more critical outlook to visual communication.

The projects that you’ll undertake on this course will see you designing business collateral amongst other pieces that’ll help you apply your newly learned skills and knowledge in real life. You’ll cover ten different aspects of graphic design work using case studies which can be developed further into a portfolio of work upon completion of the course.

• Scope and nature of graphic design
• Design fundamentals, including line, tone, colour
• Colour theory and applications
• Typography
• Illustration methods and techniques
• Photo-retouching
• Package design
• Magazine and book layout
• Gradient meshing
• Logotype and branding design
• Layout design
• Basic animation
• Design systems and the design industry, including design briefs and how to bid for jobs
• Comparative design, including researching other designers

• Be able to demonstrate a wide range of graphic design principles and techniques to create your own pieces with confidence
• Possess improved artistic skills
• Possess the skills to design using Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign
• Be knowledgeable in a range of different graphic design elements and be prepared to take on a variety of different projects, from packaging design to magazine layouts and everything in between
• Have experience with branding and logo design
• Understand how the graphic design industry works, including the interpreting of design briefs and how to bid for them
• Have increased confidence in your own skills and feel inspired
• Have boosted creativity and imagination
• Be encouraged to experiment and explore your ideas, remembering that there's no right or wrong way to be creative
• Possess the foundations to continue creating beyond this course

All students with 100% course attendance will be issued with an official AUB Short Course certificate of attendance. To request your certificate contact the short courses team: shortcourses@aub.ac.uk or call 01202 363222.

After this course, you could:

• Gain a Level 2 Skills and Education Group accredited qualification by studying Complete Graphic Design (SEG Level 2 Award); this’ll set you up for further academic study
• Continue to harness your creativity and develop your publishing and design skills further; explore our full range of Adobe Creative Suite short courses
• Broaden your creative horizons and try your hand at a range of disciplines; explore our full range of evening and weekend courses
• Continue to develop your skills at home as a hobby

• You'll study at a leading specialist university – we know what we're doing when it comes to providing unparalleled courses
• Our tutors are industry professionals, so you'll learn from the best
• We cater for all abilities and have no formal entry requirements for this course, so there's nothing holding you back
• You'll learn in a safe and encouraging environment where there's no right or wrong way to be creative
• You'll learn 'by doing' and always feel fully included and supported
• Benefit from our incredible campus and its industry-standard studios, and use state-of-the-art equipment and software to unleash your creativity