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Course Description

Artwork by Valerie H.

Graphic designers are visual linguists and creative communicators. They turn ideas into expressive images using design elements and principles. Practice this design language to communicate inside and outside of the arts.

Learn how to conduct visual research to gather inspiration. Produce mind maps to illustrate your thought processes. Apply concepts such as simplicity, balance, hierarchy, alignment and negative space to maximize impact. Integrate text and image and leverage the power of color for emphasis. Incorporate and manipulate typography, using it as an expressive element. Perfect your designs using framing and grids. Your newfound ability to solve two-dimensional problems will be a skill with extensive real-world applications.

Learner Outcomes

  • Conduct research to inform design choices.
  • Integrate typography, color and imagery to create impact.
  • Apply critical thinking and experimentation to solve design challenges.

Prerequisites

Students must be 13-17 years of age.

Instructors

  • Jonathan Burkhardt
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Enroll Now - Select a section to enroll in
Section Schedule
Apr 18, 2026 to May 23, 2026
Type
Online, Asynchronous
Dates
Apr 18, 2026 to May 23, 2026
Type
Online, Live Sessions
Days
M
Time
7:00PM to 8:00PM
Dates
Apr 20, 2026 to May 18, 2026
Schedule and Location
View Details
Contact Hours
18.0
Delivery Options
Online  
Course Fee(s)
Tuition non-credit $380.00 Click here to get more information
Service charge(s)
  • 3% Service Fee  
Drop Request Deadline
May 09, 2026
Transfer Request Deadline
Nov 18, 2025 to Apr 16, 2026
Withdrawal Request Deadline
Apr 18, 2026 to May 23, 2026
Instructors
  • Jonathan Burkhardt
Necessary Supplies
Students are responsible for purchasing their own art supplies, equipment, software subscriptions, and/or books. For most classes, the cost is under $75 (estimate). A supply list will be available on the course site in Canvas at least 30 days prior to the first day of class.

Once you have received your enrollment confirmation and logged in to Canvas, navigate to Upcoming Courses on the left-hand side of your dashboard. Supplies will be listed on your course homepage under the supplies heading. Some or all of your course supplies are available at the RISD Store.
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