Digital Arts Foundations

Nanodegree Program

This Nanodegree explores digital art and graphic design through software like Canva, focusing on 2D shapes, layout, and Mondrian-inspired compositions. It covers color theory, RGB, and Hex codes, using Adobe Color for custom themes. We'll examine the printing press's impact, typography, and typeface selection. We will also delve into texture, space, and spatial depth in art, learn about balance and scale in composition, and explore symmetry and asymmetry. Furthermore, we'll learn about contrast and pattern, movement, rhythm, emphasis, and visual hierarchy in design. We will also learn about unity, including Gestalt principles and design brief analysis. In the final project, you will design a vector-based poster for your social media website, showcasing your graphic design skills.

Beginner

1 month

Real-world Projects

Completion Certificate

Last Updated June 8, 2024

Skills you'll learn:

Visual design principles • Canva • Visual Design Elements

Prerequisites:

No experience required

Courses In This Program

Course 1 • 45 minutes

Welcome to the Nanodegree Program!

Welcome to Udacity! We're excited to share more about your Nanodegree program and start this journey with you!

Lesson 1

Welcome!

Welcome to Udacity. Takes 5 minutes to get familiar with Udacity courses and gain some tips to succeed in courses.

Lesson 2

Getting Help

You are starting a challenging but rewarding journey! Take 5 minutes to read how to get help with projects and content.

Lesson 1

Welcome!

Welcome to Udacity. Takes 5 minutes to get familiar with Udacity courses and gain some tips to succeed in courses.

Lesson 2

Getting Help

You are starting a challenging but rewarding journey! Take 5 minutes to read how to get help with projects and content.

Course 2 • 2 weeks

Elements of Design

Digital art and graphic design shape our visual environment using vector graphics and design principles. Through software like Canva, we'll explore 2D shapes, format, layout, and design tools, creating a Mondrian-inspired composition. We'll delve into color theory, RGB, Hex codes, and the color wheel and create custom color themes using Adobe Color. Additionally, we'll examine the historical impact of the printing press, typography, type classifications, anatomy, and the process of choosing typefaces in design and digital arts.

Lesson 1

Introduction to Digital Arts

Digital art and graphic design shape our visual environment. Vector graphics allow scalability, while the elements and principles of design guide creation using software such as Canva.

Lesson 2

Introduction to Shape

We will explore 2D shapes, their types, and digital representations using stroke and fill. We will gain insight into format, layout, and design tools and create a Mondrian-inspired composition.

Lesson 3

Introduction to Color

We will explore color in two forms: subtractive in nature and additive in the digital realm. We will learn about RGB, Hex codes, and the color wheel and create custom color themes with Adobe color.

Lesson 4

Introduction to Type

We will explore the history of the printing press & typography and the influence that is still felt today. We'll cover type classifications, anatomy, & how to choose type in design and digital arts.

Lesson 1

Introduction to Digital Arts

Digital art and graphic design shape our visual environment. Vector graphics allow scalability, while the elements and principles of design guide creation using software such as Canva.

Lesson 2

Introduction to Shape

We will explore 2D shapes, their types, and digital representations using stroke and fill. We will gain insight into format, layout, and design tools and create a Mondrian-inspired composition.

Lesson 3

Introduction to Color

We will explore color in two forms: subtractive in nature and additive in the digital realm. We will learn about RGB, Hex codes, and the color wheel and create custom color themes with Adobe color.

Lesson 4

Introduction to Type

We will explore the history of the printing press & typography and the influence that is still felt today. We'll cover type classifications, anatomy, & how to choose type in design and digital arts.

Course 3 • 2 weeks

Elements of Design and Composition

This course delves into texture in both fine arts and the digital realm, utilizing images, lines, shapes, typography, and layered colors to create depth and a tactile sense. The concept of space is explored, encompassing foreground, middleground, background, and perspective, with techniques for recreating depth using basic elements. The course also covers balance and scale in composition, including understanding visual weight, achieving harmony through balanced and counterbalanced elements, and exploring symmetry and asymmetry in design.

Lesson 1

Introduction to Texture

In this lesson, we will explore texture in fine arts and the digital art realm, creating depth and the illusion of a tactile sense through images, lines, shapes, typography, and layering colors.

Lesson 2

Introduction to Space

In this lesson, we will explore the idea of space in art: foreground, middleground, background, and perspective. And we will learn to recreate depth using basic elements.

Lesson 3

Introduction to Composition: Balance and Scale

In this lesson, we look at balance and scale in composition: understand visual weight, create harmony through balance and counterbalance of elements, and explore symmetry and asymmetry in design.

Lesson 4

Introduction to Composition: Contrast and Pattern

In this lesson, we explored contrast and patterns in brand design. We covered various types of contrast and the components of patterns dot, line & grid, followed by creating custom patterns.

Lesson 1

Introduction to Texture

In this lesson, we will explore texture in fine arts and the digital art realm, creating depth and the illusion of a tactile sense through images, lines, shapes, typography, and layering colors.

Lesson 2

Introduction to Space

In this lesson, we will explore the idea of space in art: foreground, middleground, background, and perspective. And we will learn to recreate depth using basic elements.

Lesson 3

Introduction to Composition: Balance and Scale

In this lesson, we look at balance and scale in composition: understand visual weight, create harmony through balance and counterbalance of elements, and explore symmetry and asymmetry in design.

Lesson 4

Introduction to Composition: Contrast and Pattern

In this lesson, we explored contrast and patterns in brand design. We covered various types of contrast and the components of patterns dot, line & grid, followed by creating custom patterns.

Course 4 • 1 week

Composition

This course focuses on movement and rhythm in compositions, utilizing repetition and rhythm to establish visual flow. By manipulating elements and utilizing Canva's animation tools, we can guide the viewer's eye movement. Visual hierarchy and emphasis are explored, examining their historical use in advertisements and understanding the order of importance in emphasizing focal points. Points of entry and design briefs are analyzed to enhance understanding. Achieving unity in compositions is also covered, including the concept of unity and various approaches to achieve it. The relation between Gestalt groupings and unity is explored, along with an analysis of a design brief.

Lesson 1

Introduction to Composition: Movement

In this lesson, we will explore how movement and rhythm create visual flow in compositions. We will also manipulate elements to guide eye movement and experiment with Canva's animation tools.

Lesson 2

Introduction to Composition: Emphasis

We explore visual hierarchy and emphasis in design and historical uses in advertisements. We look at the order of importance in emphasis and focal points, analyze points of entry and design briefs.

Lesson 3

Introduction to Composition: Unity

We look at achieving unity in compositions: understanding its concept and various approaches. Exploring Gestalt groupings' relation to unity. Analyzing a design brief.

Lesson 1

Introduction to Composition: Movement

In this lesson, we will explore how movement and rhythm create visual flow in compositions. We will also manipulate elements to guide eye movement and experiment with Canva's animation tools.

Lesson 2

Introduction to Composition: Emphasis

We explore visual hierarchy and emphasis in design and historical uses in advertisements. We look at the order of importance in emphasis and focal points, analyze points of entry and design briefs.

Lesson 3

Introduction to Composition: Unity

We look at achieving unity in compositions: understanding its concept and various approaches. Exploring Gestalt groupings' relation to unity. Analyzing a design brief.

Taught By The Best

Joshua Wilder Oakley

Visual Communications Professor at California State University San Francisco

Joshua Wilder Oakley is currently a Visual Communications Professor at California State University San Francisco and has also taught at the University of San Francisco. His teaching philosophy mirrors his design philosophy - make the world a better place through good design and visual problem solving. In addition to teaching, Oakley is also a Freelance Graphic Designer and Photographer.

The Udacity Difference

Combine technology training for employees with industry experts, mentors, and projects, for critical thinking that pushes innovation. Our proven upskilling system goes after success—relentlessly.

Demonstrate proficiency with practical projects

Projects are based on real-world scenarios and challenges, allowing you to apply the skills you learn to practical situations, while giving you real hands-on experience.

Gain proven experience
Retain knowledge longer
Apply new skills immediately

Top-tier services to ensure learner success

Reviewers provide timely and constructive feedback on your project submissions, highlighting areas of improvement and offering practical tips to enhance your work.