Print Communication Design Short Course

Course description

From prestige books to corporate brochures, customer magazines and leaflets, to fashion catalogues and branded print campaigns (advertisements, posters, etc.), the same design principles of visual communication, typography, layout composition, image-making, editorial design and art direction (of photography and illustration) apply.

In this practice-based course, you will learn how to construct and style your print design and/or publication, using principally Adobe CC Software: InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop.

The focus of the course will not however be solely technical, but will aim to develop your design sensitivity and knowledge of best practice in editorial design, typographic layout, strong image-making and art direction.

Ultimately, the course aspires to enlighten and inform students to plan, design and produce powerful content and messages through the combinations of the printed word and image, and to design engaging printed communication and media with an audience in mind.

Course outcomes

By the end of this course you will have:

• Created a print communication design for yourself, or your personal business
• Acquired a clear understanding about the whole process of graphic design as applied to print design (brochures, catalogues, books, posters, etc.)
• Learnt the visual principles behind successful and powerful layout and composition that are communicative to their target audience and effective in engaging them.
• Developed sensitivity and knowledge of effective use of typography and art direction in print communication
• Learnt about preparing press-ready final artwork for printers
• Gained a good understanding of print production professional processes
• Learnt about adding creativity with special print techniques, finishes and binding

Who should take this course?

Beginners/Intermediate, all welcome. Anyone interested in graphic design and the production of high professional standard printed communication outcomes. Graphic design students, BA and/or MA graduates, junior designers wishing to improve their print design skills, marketing professionals wanting to learn more about the creative design process, business start-ups wishing to produce promotional materials, any type of design students or junior professionals.

Level: All levels welcome

Entry requirements

A creative and open mind. Basic knowledge of Mac and Adobe Creative Cloud software especially Adobe InDesign, and to a lesser extent Adobe Photoshop, is required. Basic knowledge of Adobe Illustrator is also useful but not absolutely essential. Basic knowledge of Adobe CC is sufficient as basic operative functions will be taught in-class and one-to-one (if required).

Please note: This course is for students aged 18 and older

Clear, easy to understand lessons:

• Our tutors will explain things in easy to understand, accessible English. If they need to use any special terminology they will make sure they explain what they mean.
• New methods will be shown to students through live demonstrations, in a way thats crystal clear and easy to understand.
• Experience life on campus
• Network and share ideas with students from across the globe
• Access the technology and materials relevant to your discipline
• Shop in our college shops for any materials you might need
• Ask questions of your tutor in real time
• Receive feedback and critique on your assignments
• Experience the many sights of London on your down time

A certificate of completion:

• You've put the work in so we want to make sure you have something to show for it!
• As long as you attend a minimum of 80% of your classes, we will provide you with a certificate of attendance.
• We always recommend you attend all of the classes so that you get the most out of the experience!
• Certificates are great to compliment your cv.