Aspirational Graphic Design: Create a Better Future
A course by Nathan SmithDesigner and Art Director
A course by Nathan Smith, Designer and Art Director
Turn principals into actions and use poster design as a tool to inspire positive change in the world
Make a difference through graphic design and create work that serves a purpose beyond profit. Artist and Designer Nathan Smith is committed to designing with values in mind. His designs have been awarded and recognized by organizations such as D&AD, Design Museum Designs of The Year, The Guardian, and CNN.
In this course, Nathan takes you through the creative process involved in designing a poster for a better future. Learn what it means to be a responsible graphic designer and how to use your work to inspire positive change in the world.
What will you learn in this online course?
17 lessons & 10 downloads
The Responsibility of Design
4 minutes, 26 seconds
Design for a Better Tomorrow: Principle and Practice
10 minutes, 20 seconds
The Importance of Self-Initiated Projects
5 minutes, 29 seconds
The Brief
1 minute, 37 seconds
Defining Your Problem
6 minutes, 51 seconds
Creative Concepts: Territories
4 minutes, 50 seconds
What's included in this course?
Begin by getting to know Nathan. Find out how his childhood and early professional experiences inspired his career as a designer and hear about the artists who have influenced his work.
Learn about what it means to be a designer and the responsibilities that come with the title. Nathan discusses how to work towards ‘a better tomorrow’ and encourages you to think about your approach to positive change— from the impact your art can have to the materials you use. Explore the important role personal projects play in enriching your future work and the world around you.
Nathan guides you step-by-step through his creative process when designing a poster. First, practice analyzing a brief by defining a creative problem, generating ideas, and later turning them into a reality. Come up with three design concepts before deciding on your favorite. Refine and craft your chosen concept using typography, color, and more.
Bring your project to life by taking into consideration the world around you and how your work fits into it. Where do you want your work to be placed? How do you want people to interact with it? Nathan shares how to give your poster an impactful online presence. To finish the course, he talks through looking beyond your poster for other creative opportunities and projects it might inspire.
Recommended software & tools for this course
What is this course's project?
Create a poster that is designed to inspire positive change.
Who is this online course for?
This course is for anyone interested in using graphic design to create a better tomorrow.
Requirements and materials
Experience with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop is recommended.
You will need a computer with these programs, or similar software, installed.
Reviews
- 2 years ago
Super ellaborer
- 3 years ago
i like his natural and human approach to design. nice course.
- 3 years ago
Great Course!
- 4 years ago
Achei muito interessante
- 4 years ago
This course is very helpful!
Now freelance, he has collaborated with brands including Gregory Bonner Hale, 2xElliot, 4Creative, and London College of Fashion. He has been awarded and recognized by organizations such as D&AD, Design Museum Designs of The Year, The Guardian, and CNN.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- About Me
- Influences
- U2
Creative Principles
- The Responsibility of Design
- Design for a Better Tomorrow: Principle and Practice
- The Importance of Self-Initiated Projects
- U3
Creative Process
- The Brief
- Defining Your Problem
- Creative Concepts: Territories
- Creative Concepts: Idea Generation
- Concepts: Working Up 1
- Concepts: Working Up 2
- Concepts: Working Up 3
- Development: Craft & Refinement 1
- Development: Craft & Refinement 2
- U4
Bringing the Project to Life
- Out in the Wild
- Sharing
- Pushing the Project’s Limits
- FP
Final project
- Aspirational Graphic Design: Create a Better Future
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
Yes, this course is designed for intermediate-level designers who want to deepen their creative process, explore social impact design, and enhance their technical and conceptual skills across various design projects.
You should have a basic understanding of design principles and familiarity with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. Prior experience in creative projects will help you get the most out of the course.
You'll learn to create impactful design projects like protest posters, album covers, and surf graphics, master visual communication techniques, utilize digital tools, and apply research-led and inclusive design practices.
Yes, the course teaches you how to design protest posters and activism graphics, embed meaning in your work, and use visual communication to drive social impact.
The course includes strategies for developing winning design concepts, presenting your work, and leveraging competitions to boost your creative confidence and recognition.
You'll explore collaborative and inclusive practices, learn methods for group brainstorming, and discover how teamwork can foster innovation and produce unexpected creative results.
Absolutely. The course guides you through defining creative problems, developing personal project briefs, and executing self-initiated work that can advance your career and personal growth.