Lynda – Introduction to Graphic Design [updated Feb 26, 2016]

What does it take to be a graphic designer? Design is a complex art that involves many different skills and tools, but by breaking down the core topics and software, Justin Seeley shows how you can get your start in the design world. First, he covers theory, including high-level concepts like layout, typography, and color. Then it's your chance to get hands-on, using Illustrator to build a custom logo from scratch and practice your vector-drawing techniques. Next, Justin takes you into Photoshop, where he shows you how to creatively adjust, repair, and retouch the kinds of images you'll use in design projects. Last, he visits InDesign for an overview of the layout and print preparation processes. By the end, you'll have a better grasp of what graphic designers do and what you'll need to learn next. It's a great jumping off point for any graphic design career.

Note: These tutorials were revised in 2016 to make sure they are current with the latest version of Adobe Creative Cloud. Mini Bridge was retired this year, so Justin uses alternate methods to open and organize assets.

Topics include:

Understanding the impact of color
Sketching your ideas
Removing unwanted objects from images
Cropping and editing photos in Photoshop
Resizing and saving images for print
Drawing basic shapes in Illustrator
Creating a custom color theme with swatches
Setting type
Building wireframes
Creating tables in InDesign
Preflighting documents
Packaging files for print

http://www.lynda.com/Illustrator-tutorials/Introduction-Graphic-Design/419419-2.html