# Graphic Design Portfolio Bootcamp

Canonical URL: <https://www.careercenters.com/courses/graphic-design-fundamentals>

## Overview

In this hands-on graphic design course, you'll expand your knowledge of design concepts and processes while producing stunning portfolio projects.

This [Graphic Design Bootcamp](https://www.nobledesktop.com/classes/graphic-design-bootcamp) is located at our [graphic design school](https://www.nobledesktop.com/graphic-design-courses), Noble Desktop, at 185 Madison Avenue in Midtown.

## What you'll learn

- Broaden your understanding of graphic design concepts and processes, both formal and conceptual
- Enhance your skill as a designer
- Understand the elements of design
- Learn how to speak about your work and how to incorporate and evaluate critiques
- Develop and expand your portfolio

## Prerequisites

Students should have strong working knowledge in [Photoshop](/courses/photoshop-bootcamp), [InDesign](/courses/indesign-bootcamp), and [Illustrator](/courses/adobe-illustrator-cs5-level-1).

## Curriculum

### Section 1

#### What is Graphic Design?

- Brief overview and discussion
- Elements of design
- Gestalt Principles

#### Word Work

- Letterform Anatomy
- Type Classifications
- Speed design with limited source material!

#### Design Assignment: Logo Design

- Brief slide show on what makes a good logo
- Design assignment: Choice of logo redesign for an existing company or create your own personal logo design.
- Create two distinct design options for your logo.

### Section 2

#### Design Process

- Explore ideation and the creative design process
- Logo exploration (Ritos del Sol, Vaya)
- Learn logo drafting using the template feature in Illustrator
- Introduction of Photoshop mock-ups
- Sketching exercise. Learn to work quickly and creatively within fixed parameters.

#### Color Interaction

- What do colors mean?
- How do designers use colors effectively
- Color palettes: we will explore how to choose appropriate color palettes for different assignments

#### Design Assignment: Identity System

- Finalize your logo to design an identity system using a "color study" and complimentary typeface. Use this visual system to either create a stationery design or social media graphics.

### Section 3

#### Typography

- Typographic Overview
- Type Selection
- Type Pairing
- Foundry Overview
- Optical Spacing

#### Design Assignment: Book/eBook Cover Redesign

- Create either a book or eBook cover design for a re-issue of a famous piece of fiction. Use type and imagery to create a visually appealing cover that will entice a reader.

### Section 4

#### Historical Design Movements

- Arts & Crafts
- Art Nouveau
- Dada
- Destijl
- Constructivism
- Bauhaus
- Swiss International

#### Design Assignment: Album Art Cover/Spotify Graphic

- Create cover art for a band to be used for online purchases of music or streaming music services. Use a mixture of typography, imagery, and basic graphic elements, with consideration for different screen sizes and resolutions.

### Section 5

#### Information Hierarchy

- What goes first? Second? Last? And why?
- Are there rules? How can we be creative within these rules?
- We explore the who, what, where, when, and why of laying out information.
- Learn about grid systems.

#### Design Assignment: Event Poster or Email Announcement

- Students will design a poster or email announcement for an event. Designs should convey a concept relating to the subject, and use a clearly identifiable visual hierarchy.

### Section 6

#### Design Hero Slide Show

- The instructor will show a brief slide show of past and present design visionaries

#### Portfolio Criteria & Revision

- Ten points to consider when developing a professional Graphic Design portfolio.
- Recommended book list
- Revision, completion and collection of any final revised exercises or projects.

## Schedule
- Jun 17, 2026 – Jul 13, 2026 — NYC
- Jul 2, 2026 – Jul 30, 2026 — NYC
- Jul 19, 2026 – Aug 9, 2026 — NYC
- Jul 31, 2026 – Aug 28, 2026 — NYC
- Sep 18, 2026 – Oct 9, 2026 — NYC
- Sep 22, 2026 – Oct 8, 2026 — NYC
- Oct 30, 2026 – Nov 20, 2026 — NYC
- Nov 16, 2026 – Dec 14, 2026 — NYC
- Dec 6, 2026 – Dec 27, 2026 — NYC

## Pricing

**Tuition:** $1295