Principles of Graphic Design and Typography

Course Description

“Excellent design, consistently implemented, sends messages on two levels: overtly, it communicates the content; covertly, it communicates confidence.”

In this course David Berman helps you explore the qualities of excellent visual design and how they can be realized through the variety of technologies we use to publish today. You will have the opportunity to take full advantage of the experience and knowledge of over twenty years marrying great cognitive design principles with electronic publishing technologies.

This course incorporates adult learning principles and activities appropriate to a variety of learning styles, and qualifies for CEUs (certified by organizations such as PPAC).

“Excellent – interesting / humorous / good interaction with group.”

– Nancy Hall, House of Commons

The Problem

With the rapid growth of publishing channels, both new and experienced professional communicators often feel confused, left behind, or simply overwhelmed. Budgets established for one channel now must fulfill commitments to publish in many ways, such as Web and print. On the flip side, some who are technologically proficient may be unaware of the basics principles of graphic design’s ability to inform and persuade.

“Overall an excellent seminar.”

– Chris Strangelove, Carleton University,

Dept. of Communications

What Makes This Course Unique

David demystifies the principles and the technologies, equipping you with core knowledge that won’t change as technology evolves.As well, applying his decades of experience with pioneering publishing technologies, his ideas are presented in the practical framework of developing communications that can repurposed over different media. This cohesive approach to where print, Web, and process meet, provides an entertaining and clarifying base for you to excel in publishing through a variety of channels.

What You’ll Learn

• Human nature and the effects of different design elements including consistency, inference, balance, emphasis, contrast, scale, figure/ground, harmony, pattern, pause, movement, and structure
• How and why to chose colour, for print and screen
• The differences between designing on paper and on screen
• Pitfalls to avoid when bridging channels
• The three properties of effective graphics and how to produce them
• Graphic file types: when to use which
• The art of typography: typeface, association, pictorial, size, emphasis, case, spacing, alignment, hierarchy… for both print and the Web
• How to excel using PDF files

Benefits of Attending

If you work in visual communication in any way, you will increase your ability to make full use of the resources around you, while relieving the stress of time and energy wasted mired in technological misunderstandings and unnecessary duplication of effort.

Course Goals

At the end of this course you should be able to:

• Administer more effective design
• Follow better quality procedures
• Understand common vocabulary in electronic publishing
• Use type more effectively
• Recognize better design
• Understand the importance of “transparent” design
• Recognize that technology is rarely the problem, or the solution

Who Should Attend

This course is for everyone who communicates with visuals or leads those who do.

What You Get

When David Berman Communications hosts this course*, each participant receives:

• a complimentary, comprehensive manual (also available separately for $97 with optional 1-on-1 distance coaching)
• complimentary meals, snacks and beverages throughout
• a thirty-minute personal coaching tele-session within a month of the course
• the option to attend this course again in the future, as a refresher at no additional cost
• a money-back guarantee: if, after coaching and refresher, you don’t think you’ve got your money’s worth, we’ll refund your entire registration fee

(*If you are attending one of our courses hosted by another organization, confirm with them which of these items apply.)

About our Expert Speakers

David Berman is the principal of David Berman Communications in Ottawa. He was named a Fellow (the highest professional honour for graphic designers in Canada) in 1999. He has over 30 years of experience in design management, electronic publishing, and typography.

He is also an internationally-celebrated speaker, having taken engagements in over 10 countries. In recent years he has also recommitted his career toward sharing his knowledge and unique talent as a manager and organizer through professional development courses for creative organizations. David is a national Professional Member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers (CAPS) and the Global Speakers Federation (GSF). He is also the Ethics Chair of the Society of Graphic Designers of Canada. David has been featured in the Financial Post, Marketing, and Applied Arts magazines.

Prerequisites: Some experience with publishing or administering and/or purchasing publishing services.

Language: English (French available upon request)

Duration: half-day, one day, two days

Take This Course On-Site:

This course is also available customized and on-site for your organization. Please contact us for details.

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Reviewed July 27, 2016