I have been a fan of the Before & After website, bamagazine.com, for many years. I find John McWade's method of teaching the concepts of design the best way for me to learn. Recently I watched McWade's Before & After: Graphic Design Techniques course on Lynda.com^R.

Before & After: Graphic Design Techniques

• McWade begins by redesigning a typeset project from a boring list of museum staff names into a classic design. He discusses his choice of font, color and layout.
  
  
• In the next lesson, McWade discusses the adjustments needed to a design, such as word and line spacing, when the text is greatly enlarged or reduced.
  
  
• I really liked this lesson about designing without graphics. McWade discusses the importance of white space.
  
  
• For this next project, a bank's marketing material, McWade discusses text alignment, choice of font and color for the project.
  
  
• In the next lesson, McWade discusses how to redesign the project so that the graphics match the text content.
  
  
• When discussing a Coca-Cola banner, McWade discusses how to use extreme photo cropping.
  
  
• Next, McWade discusses several examples of how to use a photo cutout to add realism to the project.
  
  
• One problem that I encounter a lot is how to layout the MUSED magazine cover using a thin vertical photo. I found McWade's suggestions very helpful.
  
  
• McWade demonstrates how to use an invisible grid of squares to design business cards.
  
  
• For the next project, McWade demonstrates how to continue a design style from the cover to the inside of marketing material.
  
  
• What to do when you have a less than great photo for your project is this topic.
  
  
• Next, McWade discusses the power of empty space.
  
  
• In the next lesson, McWade demonstrates how to design a logo quickly.
  
  
• Next, McWade discusses how to decide if you need a logo or a second logo.
  
  
• In the last lesson, McWade takes you through the development and decision process for a logo design.
  
  

John McWade is a senior staff author at Lynda.com and specializes in printing and publication design. He demonstrates his firm background in typography throughout this course.

https://www.lynda.com/Design-Color-tutorials/Before-After-Graphic-Design-Techniques/110141-2.html

Disclosure: I was not financially compensated for this article. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.