Graphic Design Bootcamp

Learn Graphic Design Fundamentals & Build Your Portfolio

In this hands-on graphic design course, you will expand your knowledge of design concepts and processes while producing portfolio projects. This class focuses on how to design and assumes knowledge of Photoshop, InDesign, or Illustrator.

Throughout the course, you'll produce several portfolio projects, including logos, social media graphics, stationery, book/eBook covers, album covers, event posters, and email announcements.

Assignments will be critiqued during class both by the instructor and during group critiques. You’ll incorporate the feedback into your work and finish the assignment in class, or outside of class as homework (you should expect to work outside of class). By the end of this class, we hope you’ll have at least five finished pieces for your portfolio. The instructor is available throughout the six classes to give feedback and advice on all projects both during and outside of class.

Get Started with the Graphic Design Applications

See our full suite of graphic design classes: Photoshop, InDesign & Illustrator.

Take our Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator courses along with this course and earn a Certificate in Graphic Design.

Course Instructor

With 20 years of accomplishment in graphic design and advertising, Alfred Assin specializes in branding and identity. His work spans a wide array of industries, with clients including Douglas Elliman, Robert K. Futterman, GlaxoSmithKline, The Wynn Hotel & Casino, Cartier, Bass Shoes, and Maurice Villency. He has worked for top agencies such as Frankfurt Balkind and AgencySacks, as well as boutique firms like slover [AND] company and Graj + Gustavsen. He maintains his own freelance consultancy, Mr. Grey.

Noble Desktop is a leading design school in New York City, specializing in graphic design, web design, and UX/UI design. Since 1990, we have taught thousands of designers and freelancers the latest trends and applications. Advance your skills with hands-on classes and certifications, or customize a corporate training program for your team.

18 Hours
Small classes
Mac or PC provided
Free retake

Register for a class

$975 Discounts • Policies

594 Broadway, NYC

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

View full syllabus

Graphic Design Bootcamp Class Syllabus

What You’ll Learn

Section 1

What is Graphic Design?

Topics

Brief overview and discussion
Elements of design
Gestalt Principles

Word Work

Topics

Letterform Anatomy
Type Classifications
Speed design with limited source material!

Design Assignment: Logo Design

Topics

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

Topics

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

Topics

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

Topics

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

Topics

Typographic Overview
Type Selection
Type Pairing
Foundry Overview
Optical Spacing

Design Assignment: Book/eBook Cover Redesign

Topics

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

Topics

Arts & Crafts
Art Nouveau
Dada
Destijl
Constructivism
Bauhaus
Swiss International

Design Assignment: Album Art Cover/Spotify Graphic

Topics

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

Topics

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

Topics

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

Topics

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

Portfolio Criteria & Revision

Topics

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.

Subway Poster by Victoria Greiss
Brand Identity by Juliana Cooper
Book Cover by Juliana Cooper
Album Cover by Peter Lam

Rated NYC's Best Graphic Design Bootcamp

Learn the fundamentals of graphic design at Noble Desktop, a leading graphic design school in NYC since 1991, by learning the applications and creating several projects.

“This is a thoughtfully organized, well paced and delivered, practical course -- a sort of 'finishing school' for the graphic designer.”

Dorcas Gelabert

Graphic Designer, American Thoracic Society

Attended the Graphic Design Fundamentals course
“From now on, when I think of "creative/graphics" training, I'll think of Noble. I loved the patience, knowledge, and professionalism of the instructor. I learned so much I feel I can now teach it :) Can't wait for my future classes.”

Dani Weiden

Instructional Systems Designer, Caliper Corp.

Learned the foundations of graphic design in Noble's design course
“Already working in the graphic design industry, this class was a great refresher course and helped me to remember why I chose to pursue graphic design as a career.”

Kristine Seubert

Art Department Supervisor, Sherman Specialty

Learned key design concepts and processes in Graphic Design Fundamentals
“Graphic Design Fundamentals is a great class for new or experienced designers. Alfred gives a perfect synopsis of graphic design history, influential graphic designers and great creative examples. I left the class with exciting new portfolio pieces and I highly recommend this class.”

Victoria Greiss

Creative Director

See our 2470 testimonials

Create Portfolio Projects

“Graphic Design Fundamentals is a great class for new or experienced designers. Alfred gives a perfect synopsis of graphic design history, influential graphic designers and great creative examples. I left the class with exciting new portfolio pieces and I highly recommend this class.”
Victoria Greiss, Creative Director

Student designing graphics at NYC graphic design school

Earn a Certificate in Graphic Design

Learn graphic design applications & techniques at NYC's best graphic design classes and earn a NYS-licensed Visual Design or Graphic Design certificate.

Students earning a Graphic Design Certificate

Design Real-World Projects

Learn the fundamentals of graphic design as you design and produce five real-world projects. Design and create a range of projects including a logo, social media graphics, books, album covers, stationery, and an event poster.

Book cover created in graphic design course

Register for Graphic Design Bootcamp

$975 Discounts • Policies

594 Broadway, NYC