One of the classes I took before I started this blog
Design Fundamentals
This course teaches the elements and principles of design. The elements of design are the fundamental building building blocks of art. The principles of design describe how the elements of design come together to create a design. Excerpted from The Designer's Graphic Stew: Visual Ingredients, Techniques, and Layout Recipes for Graphic Designers (Rockport Publishers)
Also see my pinterest boards
Elements of design
Line
Color
Shape
Texture
Space
Form
Principles of Design
Unity
Point, Line, and Plane
Balance
Hierarchy
Scale
Dominance
Similarity and Contrast
Movement
Rhythm/Pattern
Projects included using different elements and principles of design to create pictures. For example projects included a surreal drawing and a motif which we also had to add a tactile texture to the surface.We also had to keep a journal for this class in which we drew pictures that represented the different elements and principles of design.
The final project was to create anything we wanted to but we had to be able to stand up in front of the class and discuss several elements and principles of design we used. Most people made paintings, one girl made a purse, and one kid had emptied out an old computer monitor and decorated the inside.
Great reference websites for this class:
Elements of design
Elements of design infographic
The Elements of Design in Modern Web Design
Principles of Design
Check you use of Principles of Design
Principles of Design with website examples
A graphic design primer part 1, part 2 and part 3
Visual Hierarchy
Surreal Art
Motif
Texture ideas
Principles Of Graphic Design