Introduction to Graphic Design: Private Lessons

Ages 14-18

Live 1-on-1 Lessons

In this beginner-friendly class, students will learn typography, color theory, and layout while creating unique projects. Using Figma, they'll develop practical design skills and confidence in this hands-on introduction to digital design.

Azul Duran (he/they)

New on Outschool

Live video meetings

Meets on demand

60 min

About Learning Overview Teacher Reviews

What's included

Meets on Demand

schedule meetings as needed

60 mins

per session

Teacher support

Homework

1-2 hours per week. Students will complete a mood board and brainstorm ideas for their design projects outside of class. These assignments reinforce class concepts and prepare learners for hands-on activities.

Projects

Learners will create a final design project (poster, logo, or social media graphic) and complete smaller exercises, such as a name tag and wireframe, to build their skills progressively.

Mastery Evaluation

Learners will take optional quizzes to review key concepts like typography, color theory, and layout. These are designed to reinforce their learning and test their understanding.

Class Experience

US Grade 9 - 12

Beginner Level

Class Details
In this beginner-friendly graphic design class, students will learn key design principles such as typography, color theory, and layout. They’ll gain hands-on experience using Figma, a free, user-friendly design tool, to create their own design projects, such as posters, logos, or social media graphics. This class focuses on building foundational skills while fostering creativity and confidence in design.

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What Will Be Taught?
Students will learn the basics of:
- Typography: Exploring font categories, creating hierarchy, and pairing fonts.
- Color Theory: Understanding primary and complementary colors, and using palettes effectively.
- Layout and Composition: Learning alignment, white space, and the rule of thirds.
- Figma Basics: Navigating the interface and using tools to create digital designs.

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How Is the Class Structured?
The class consists of four 1-hour sessions, each building on the last:
1. Introduction to Design Principles: Explore the basics of typography, color, and layout.
2. Planning Your Project: Create a mood board and wireframe a design idea.
3. Building Your Design: Apply design principles to bring your project to life in Figma.
4. Refining and Sharing: Polish your design, reflect on your process, and celebrate your work.

Each session includes a combination of:
- Interactive Lessons: Using slides and visual examples to introduce key concepts.
- Hands-On Activities: Students will complete design exercises in Figma with step-by-step guidance.
- Feedback and Discussion: Personalized feedback is provided during class, with opportunities for students to share and discuss their work.

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How Will I Teach?
I use a highly interactive and visual teaching style to ensure students stay engaged. Key teaching methods include:
- Slides and Demonstrations: Clear visuals and live demos in Figma to illustrate concepts.
- Discussion and Questions: Students are encouraged to ask questions and share their thoughts throughout the session.
- Hands-On Practice: Every session includes guided activities where students apply what they’ve learned.

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How Much Interaction Will Learners Get?
Learners will interact with me throughout the entire session. I’ll provide real-time feedback, answer questions, and guide them step by step during hands-on activities. Group discussions will allow students to learn from one another, while individual feedback ensures personalized support.

This class is also suitable for non-native English speakers. Visual demonstrations and step-by-step instructions make the content accessible, and I’m happy to provide extra guidance as needed. If your learner has specific needs, feel free to contact me before class to discuss how I can help them succeed.

Learning Goals

Understand and apply the principles of typography, including font categories (serif, sans-serif, script, decorative) and how to create visual hierarchy using size, weight, and spacing.

Explore and use color theory, including primary and complementary colors, and understand how to choose color palettes that convey specific emotions.

Other Details

Learning Needs

This class isn’t specifically for unique learning needs, but I aim to create a welcoming space for all. If your learner has specific needs, contact me in advance, and I’ll do my best to accommodate them.

Parental Guidance

This class uses two third-party tools: - Figma: A free design tool learners will use to complete projects. Learners will need to create a free Figma account before the first class. Parents may assist younger learners with setting up their account if needed. - Google Forms: Used for optional quizzes to reinforce learning. No personal information, such as email addresses, will be collected. Additionally, learners will need to browse the internet to find pictures and inspiration for their projects (e.g., using Pinterest, Behance, or Google Images). Parents should ensure their learner has safe internet access and may want to supervise this process. All class content is age-appropriate, and no upsetting or scary material will be covered.

Pre-Requisites

No experience needed! This beginner-friendly class is perfect for curious learners. Basic comfort with computers and navigating websites is recommended. Familiarity with tools like Google Docs is helpful but not required.

Supply List

Learner Supply List:
- Computer or Laptop: A device capable of running a web browser to access Figma and other resources.
- Stable Internet Connection: Required for accessing Figma, Google Forms, and other online resources.
- Free Figma Account: Learners will need to sign up at www.figma.com. (No cost)
- Notebook or Sketchpad (Optional): Useful for sketching ideas or taking notes during class.

Optional Resources for Inspiration:
Access to websites like Pinterest, Behance, or Unsplash to gather ideas and images. Browsing these sites is free.

All other teaching materials, such as slides, cheat sheets, and project guides, will be provided by the instructor.

External Resources

In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:

Sources

This class incorporates inspiration-gathering from various design-related websites and platforms, including: - Pinterest: To explore mood board ideas and design inspiration. - Behance: To view professional graphic design portfolios. - Unsplash: For free, high-quality images to use in projects. These platforms are recommended for inspiration only and are not required for students to complete the course. Learners will be encouraged to browse these sites during their homework assignments to find design ideas and resources. No specific books or articles are required, and all teaching materials (e.g., slides and cheat sheets) are created by the instructor.

Meet the teacher

Azul Duran (he/they)

Joined November, 2024

New on Outschool

Profile

Teacher expertise and credentials

I am a Creative Director with over 10 years of experience in graphic design, specializing in branding, digital design, and layout. I have taught graphic design in professional settings, mentoring other designers to help them grow their skills and confidence. My experience includes working with diverse clients to create logos, websites, social media graphics, and marketing materials.

Having worked remotely for several years and taken remote/online classes myself, I am highly familiar with the online learning structure. I use this experience to create engaging, well-organized classes that meet the needs of virtual learners.

Additionally, I have lived experience supporting family members and peers who face language barriers, which has made me patient, empathetic, and adaptable as an educator. I’m excited to combine my professional expertise, mentoring experience, and love for teaching to help students explore and succeed in graphic design.