Course · Part 1 · Assignment 1
Intro 
Welcome to Baseline!
KeyThree
The key points from this assignment.
- This course helps you to learn graphic design and digital product design through short lessons, exercises, and hands-on design briefs
- We’ve designed the materials to be clear, concise, and accessible, with no lessons longer than 10 minutes. They’re also completely free!
- You can get an expert opinion on your work any time by joining the Baseline Slack workspace
Image credit: Domingo Alvarez E
Congratulations!
You’ve just discovered the freshest way to learn design online.
In this first assignment, you’ll find out more about why we’ve put this course together, how our approach is different, and — most importantly — how you can succeed with this programme and reach your goals.
How Baseline is different from other courses
Image credit: Andrew Martin
As you may have found out for yourself, people looking to learn design online are often faced with a choice between two main options.
First, there are sites which host passive content, usually in video format. And second, there are providers who offer instructor- or mentor-led courses, which are more in-depth and include individual or group tuition.
Each approach has its pros and cons.
Passive courses
Image credit: Jamie Street
Pros:
Inexpensive (around $0–$400)
Digestible, bitesize content
Accessible format, available immediately
Cons:
Often few projects to practise with
Usually no feedback or expert support
Requires a very high level of motivation
Mentor- or instructor-led courses
Image credit: Charles Deluvio
Pros:
More in-depth curriculum with hands-on projects
Online community
Feedback and expert support
Cons:
Usually a lot more expensive — many popular bootcamps cost £5,000+
There can be a delay between completing work and getting feedback
Sometimes inflexible pacing and course conditions
Baseline: a middle way
Photo: Elias Castillo
Having to choose between these two models — passive courses and conventional bootcamps — unfortunately leaves many people’s needs unmet, particularly where price is a deciding factor.
There are countless talented, driven people who want to switch to a career in design, but who are prevented from accessing college design courses and bootcamps because of the cost.
In creating Baseline, we have tried to find a middle way — by bringing together 100% free, high-quality, in-house course materials, and affordable, on-demand feedback.
In the next few assignments, we’ll explain in more detail how the course works, and how you can set yourself up for success. We’ll then break the ice with a short sketching exercise!
Assignment version 1.0
Last updated 7 June 2021