Graphic Design Roadmap
An intensive 2-month plan to learn job-ready design skills.
Month 1: Design Fundamentals & Your First Projects
Week 1-2: Core Principles
- Learn the Rules: Master Balance, Contrast, and Hierarchy.
- Color Theory: Understand how colors create emotion.
- Typography: Learn to pair fonts and create readable text.
- Software Choice: Pick ONE free tool like Canva or Figma and learn it well.
Week 3-4: Practical Application
- Logo Design Basics: Sketch ideas and create simple vector logos.
- Photo Editing: Learn basic photo cleanup and color correction in GIMP or Photopea.
- Layout Design: Use grids to arrange elements professionally.
- File Formats: Know when to use JPG, PNG, or SVG.
Key Project for Month 1: Create a complete brand identity for a fictional local business. This must include a logo, a business card, and a social media profile banner.
Month 2: Building Your Portfolio
Digital & Print Design
- Social Media Graphics: Design a set of 5 templates for Instagram.
- Web Graphics: Create a banner ad and a hero image for a website.
- Print Basics: Design a simple A5 flyer, understanding CMYK color and bleed.
- UI/UX Introduction: Design a mockup of a simple mobile app screen.
Becoming a Professional
- Portfolio Creation: Build a simple online portfolio on a site like Behance to showcase your work.
- Finding Work: Learn how to find your first clients or apply for junior roles.
- Communication: Practice explaining your design choices to clients.
- Feedback: Learn how to receive and apply constructive criticism.
Key Project for Month 2: Choose one of your previous projects and write a detailed case study. Explain the problem, show your process (sketches), and present the final solution. Add this to your portfolio.