This week was our introduction to the foundations of design and gave a clear overview of what we will be working on throughout the year. We explored the core principles that guide effective design, including composition, hierarchy, and visual communication. The session also outlined the key projects we will be tackling, such as designing a poster, creating a website, and completing a drawing exercise. These tasks are intended to help us develop and refine our design skills, encouraging experimentation while building a strong understanding of design fundamentals.
For the UDHR poster, we focused on understanding how to communicate a clear and impactful message through design. The class emphasised visual hierarchy, balance, and how to structure text and imagery so that the viewer immediately understands the main point. This helped set a foundation for effectively conveying ideas visually. In the point and line exercise, we explored the fundamentals of composition. We learned how points and lines can create movement, rhythm, and focus within a design. This exercise was particularly useful for understanding how small elements can influence the overall structure and feeling of a piece. For the website project, we looked at layout planning, content structure, and the importance of user experience. The class highlighted how to integrate text, images, and other visual elements in a way that feels cohesive and easy to navigate. We also discussed how design decisions can reflect the tone and purpose of the content.
During the IDEO video, we gained insight into the professional design process. The video showcased how a creative team collaborates, brainstorms, and problem-solves to develop innovative solutions. It was inspiring to see practical applications of design thinking and how these methods could influence our projects.
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Overall, today’s class gave a solid introduction to the foundations of design and what we can expect to work on this year. I feel excited about the course because it balances creativity with structure, allowing us to explore different media like posters, websites, and drawing exercises. The exercises and discussions helped me feel more confident in my ability to approach projects thoughtfully, and seeing professional design processes, like those in the IDEO video, gave me a sense of how the skills we’re learning connect to real-world applications. Overall, I feel motivated and curious to develop my design abilities further throughout the course.
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