Introduction to Minimalist Graphic Design

A course by Rafael Bernardo , Designer, Typographer, and Author

Designer, Typographer, and Author. Munich, Germany.
Joined October 2021
96% positive reviews (45)
1,137 students
Audio: German
German · Spanish · English · Portuguese · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch · Turkish · Romanian · Indonesian

Hone your perception skills and learn how to create clean, expressive designs using basic shapes

Do you believe less is more? Minimalism is a concept that everyone knows about in some shape or form. In this online course, learn how to achieve maximum expression with minimum resources alongside designer, typographer, and brand developer Rafael Bernardo. He takes you through his perspective on minimalism and guides you step by step to consciously simplify your design process.

Work with your hands, not the computer! All you need is black and white paper, as well as cutting and pasting tools. Design a poster with a message using only basic shapes: squares, triangles, and circles. Test your perception and sharpen your creative senses.

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What will you learn in this online course?

14 lessons & 17 downloads

Materials and tools
7 minutes, 58 seconds
Basic geometric shapes
13 minutes, 19 seconds
Geometric construction
6 minutes, 45 seconds
Layout and composition
19 minutes, 56 seconds
Find letters
14 minutes, 16 seconds
Find a statement
9 minutes, 44 seconds
  • 96% positive reviews (45)
  • 1,137 students
  • 14 lessons (2h 21m)
  • 17 additional resources (4 files)
  • Online and at your own pace
  • Available on the app
  • Audio: German
  • German · Spanish · English · Portuguese · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch · Turkish · Romanian · Indonesian
  • Level: Beginner
  • Unlimited access forever

What is this course's project?

Design a poster with the message of your choice using only black and white paper and basic shapes: squares, triangles, and circles.

Projects by course students

Who is this online course for?

Design professionals of all experience levels. Beginners can learn how to create powerful design elements with basic geometric shapes, those who haven't found their creative path yet can discover tools to create new forms, and those who work in design can adopt a fresh perspective and apply it to their everyday work.

Requirements and materials

No prior knowledge is required to take this course, just a keen interest and the eagerness to design!

To work on his project, Rafael uses photography card stock, although you can use whatever materials you prefer, as long as you can cut the shapes with a cutter and ruler. In addition to a cutting mat and glue, a sketchbook will also come in handy.


Reviews

1,137 Students
45 Reviews
  • More reviews

Rafael Bernardo

Rafael Bernardo
A course by Rafael Bernardo

Teacher Plus
Designer, Typographer, and Author

Rafael Bernardo is a typographer, designer, brand developer, creative activist, and author. He is passionate about shaping communicative spaces, and the drive to keep honing his creative voice has kept this passion alive for more than 20 years. The foundation stone of his work is minimalism. Rafael begins the design process by asking himself this question: what do you need to convey a message in a direct and simple way? He explores his methodology and creative development in his book, Be Water My Friend.

In his career as a freelance designer, he has worked with clients from a variety of industries, including Rosenthal, Porsche, and Siemens, as well as on a prevention project for a health insurance company. He also tries to make a positive contribution through his design work and collaborates with non-profit organizations, such as Viva con Agua.


Content

  • U1

    introduction

    • About me
    • inspirations
  • U2

    preparation

    • materials and tools
    • Basic geometric shapes
    • geometric construction
    • layout and composition
    • find letters
  • U3

    Minimalist designed poster

    • Find a statement
    • The design of the poster
    • creation 1
    • creation 2
    • creation 3
  • U4

    More inspiration

    • Put the poster in the limelight
    • stencil
  • FP

    Final project

    • Introduction to Minimalism - Black and White Design

What to expect from a Domestika course

  • Learn at your own pace

    Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.

  • Learn from the best professionals

    Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.

  • Meet expert teachers

    Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.

  • Certificates
    Plus

    If you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.

  • Get front-row seats

    Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.

  • Share knowledge and ideas

    Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.

  • Connect with a global creative community

    The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.

  • Watch professionally produced courses

    Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.


FAQs

This course is aimed at design enthusiasts with some prior experience who want to deepen their understanding of minimalism, typography, and analog design methods.

You’ll need basic graphic design skills and materials like a craft knife, cutting mat, ruler, cardstock, scissors, compass, set square, and a sketchbook.

You’ll learn how to create striking, minimalist posters and typographic compositions using geometric shapes, black-and-white contrasts, and reduction techniques.

The course is geared towards advanced beginners and designers with foundational knowledge looking to enhance their skills in minimalist design and typography.

You’ll learn cutting techniques with a craft knife and scissors, how to use a set square, compass, stencils, and apply grid and layout principles in an analog design process.

You’ll develop your own letters from basic shapes, learn how to use stencils, and systematically document layouts and alphabet variations.

Yes, you’ll discover how to use black-and-white contrasts deliberately to bring clarity, tension, and expressiveness to your designs.

Information about the course and certificate

Introduction to Minimalist Graphic Design. Design course by Rafael Bernardo

Introduction to Minimalist Graphic Design

A course by Rafael Bernardo
Designer, Typographer, and Author. Munich, Germany.
Joined October 2021
  • 96% positive reviews (45)
  • 1,137 students