Aspirational Graphic Design: Create a Better Future
Course final project
A course by Nathan Smith , Designer and Art Director
About the final project for: Aspirational Graphic Design: Create a Better Future
Aspirational Graphic Design: Create a Better Future
“Thank you for choosing my course and coming along on this journey to design for a better tomorrow. Now it’s your time to make your poster. First consider our brief: Posters for a Better Tomorrow Now it’s time to define your problem. Does that mean a better tomorrow for you? Observance and reflection are essential. Take notes and write a list of issues or observations. Try to make connections. Define your problem by writing it down as a sentence. Make sure it is something that communicates, that provides a different perspective on an important issue, and that is directly actionable. Get under the skin of your subject. When you feel you understand your problem, it’s time to come up with your creative concepts. First look at broad themes or territories. Try to think of all the different ways we perceive the topic: How do we talk about it? What do we use it for? Are there any sayings, expressions, or metaphors related to it? Your next step is to generate ideas. Don’t rate them yet. Put them all down on paper in both text and image. Try using a bold pen, and don’t focus too much on the details. The next step is to look for visual references. Keep this as broad as possible. Look for graphic elements that are reminiscent of something in your topic. Put your references next to your drawings. Now you’re ready to work them up. Think of these as digital sketches, not fully worked out but good enough to demonstrate the essence of your idea. The way it feels is key. This will help you to make your final choice. Make sure it has a clear message that communicates the brief well. Look for that human quality. Then you choose your favourite that you will craft and refine. Is there anything that can be pushed? Anything that would make it communicate more effectively? Or anything that needs more polishing or crafting? This stage can elevate your design. Now ask yourself how you want to get your creative project out in the world? Explore how the project could be expressed through visuals and content. Where do you want to place it? Is there something about the concept that made the placement integral? Think about the materials and platforms as integral to the concept. Remember that regardless of the platform, this is about reaching out and sharing with people. As designers, we often want to create perfect images every time. Beauty matters, but even more important is to think about what someone’s lasting impression will be. And finally, ask yourself how can you push your project’s limits beyond expectations? So much great design comes from solutions way beyond the brief.
Partial transcription of the video
“Final Project Thank you for taking my course and coming along on this journey to design for better tomorrow. Now it's your time to make your own poster. First, consider our brief, "Posters for better tomorrow". Now it's time to define our problem. What means a better tomorrow for you? Observance and reflection is key. Take notes, make a list of problems and observations. Try to make connections, define your problem by writing it down as a sentence. Make sure it's something you can communicate clearly, that's a different perspective on an issue, and that is something that is directly actiona...”
This transcript is automatically generated, so it may contain mistakes.
Course summary for: Aspirational Graphic Design: Create a Better Future
-
Category
Design -
Software
Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop -
Areas
3D Design, Art Direction, Branding & Identity, Design, Graphic Design
Nathan Smith
A course by Nathan Smith
Nathan Smith is a designer and art director from Cornwall, UK. Despite not being exposed to graphic design growing up, he became fascinated by it at a young age. Nathan went on to hone his craft whilst studying at university before moving to London where he worked on multiple work placements. There, through personal side projects, he discovered an appreciation for creating work with a purpose beyond profit.
Now freelance, he has collaborated with brands including Gregory Bonner Hale, 2xElliot, 4Creative, and London College of Fashion. He has been awarded and recognized by organizations such as D&AD, Design Museum Designs of The Year, The Guardian, and CNN.
- 100% positive reviews (23)
- 585 students
- 17 lessons (2h 6m)
- 10 additional resources (1 files)
- Online and at your own pace
- Available on the app
- Audio: English
- English · Spanish · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch
- Level: Beginner
- Unlimited access forever
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
