Graphic Design Program (30 Hours)

Tools: CorelDRAW (2023+), PosterMyWall (free/paid), 
Focus: Posters • Wall graphics • Print-production skills
Format: 10 sessions × 3 hours (demo → practice → build)

Learning Outcomes

• Use CorelDRAW confidently (workspace, vectors, text, layout).

• Design posters with strong hierarchy and typography.

• Prepare large-format/wall graphics (tiling, scaling, bleed).

• Export print-ready files (CMYK, DPI, bleed, crop marks, PDF/X).

• Adapt designs quickly with PosterMyWall templates for social/print.

• Build a mini-portfolio: 2 posters + 1 wall graphic + print files.

Session Plan (10 × 3h)

1. Orientation + Design Basics
   Workflow, file management, design principles (contrast, alignment, hierarchy), CMYK vs RGB.

2. CorelDRAW Essentials I
   Workspace, pages, shapes, nodes/curves, align/distribute, layers, grouping, PowerClip.

3. Typography & Layout
   Artistic vs Paragraph text, fonts & licensing, styles, grids, margins, master pages.

4. Color & Images
   Palettes, Pantone vs CMYK, transparency/shadows, raster vs vector, Trace Bitmap, DPI (150/300).

5. Poster Design 1 (Concept to Draft)
   Brief → sketch → composition; import images, smart scaling, image cleanup; first poster draft.

6. Poster Design 2 (Refine & Prep)
   Proofreading, visual rhythm, call-to-action; export PDF/X-1a or X-4, bleed (0.125"), crop marks, overprint check.

7. Wall Graphics & Large Format
   Scale setup (e.g., 1:10), tiling/panels, safe area, substrate choices (vinyl, foam board), mockups, install notes.

8. PosterMyWall for Speed
   Template selection, brand colors/logos, quick variants for flyers/social, resizing, exporting for print/web.

9. Print Production & Preflight
   Paper types/finish, spot vs process, ICC profiles, preflight checklist, communicating with print shops/RIP basics.

10. Capstone & Portfolio Review
    Present 2 posters + 1 wall graphic, print-ready package (PDF + source files), feedback and next steps.

Assessments

• Weekly mini-tasks (vector practice, type layout, color study) – 30%

• Poster 1 (event promo) – 20%

• Wall graphic (mural or storefront panel) – 20%

• Poster 2 (campaign/advert) – 20%

• Professional file handoff (naming, folders, export specs) – 10%

Print-Ready Checklist (Core)

• Document in CMYK, correct final size (or scaled with notes).

• Bleed: 0.125 in (3 mm) minimum; include crop marks.

• Images: 300 DPI (posters) / 150–200 DPI at final size (large format).

• Fonts: embed or convert to curves; license verified.

• Colors: no unintended RGB; spot colors declared.

• PDF: PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4; transparencies handled; overprint preview checked.

• Include a low-res proof JPG and a readme for the print shop.

Materials & Setup

• Laptop with CorelDRAW installed, PosterMyWall account, access to a desktop/large-format printer (or local print shop).

• Asset pack: fonts (licensed), textures, mockups, brand color swatches, sample ICC profiles.

Projects (Deliverables)

1. Event Poster (A3/Tabloid) – print-ready + social resize.

2. Wall Graphic (storefront/mural) – scaled layout + panel map.

3. Campaign Poster (brand/product) – print-ready + mockups.