Course detailUcsd Extended StudiesArts & Designarchived

DSGN-X400.04

Art Direction and Design Project Management

Art Direction: Where Design Meets Strategy 10 Weeks Suggested Prerequisites: Working knowledge of at least one presentation platform (PowerPoint, Keynote, or Google Slides).

Basic proficiency with one or more design applications (Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, Canva, or equivalent).

Reliable access to a computer capable of creating presentation-quality visual assets.

Willingness to receive feedback, iterate on creative work, and participate in discussions and critiques Format: Asynchronous Online with Instructor Feedback and Guidance Throughout Art Direction and Project Management is designed for aspiring design leaders who want to master both the creative and organizational aspects of successful project execution.

Over the course of ten weeks, you’ll learn how to craft effective briefs, develop innovative concepts, and tell compelling visual stories that connect with your audience.

With hands-on exercises in applied campaign creation, you'll gain the skills to translate concepts and ideas into powerful, cohesive visual narratives.

This course is perfect for those looking to take on leadership roles in design and art direction, as it blends creative exploration with the essential project management skills needed for success.

Course Details Alongside creative development, this course also emphasizes the importance of project management in the art direction process.

You’ll dive into the essential elements of estimating project costs, managing timelines, and keeping track of milestones.

Learn how to navigate contracts, handle client interactions with confidence, and manage stakeholder relationships throughout the project lifecycle.

This course also covers how to efficiently source imagery, stock resources, and integrate AI tools to streamline your creative process, helping you stay on the cutting edge of modern design practices.

By the end of the course, you’ll better understand how to lead design projects from concept to completion, balancing creative vision with effective project management.

Whether you're managing a team, collaborating with clients, or overseeing a campaign rollout, this course will prepare you to confidently lead and execute design projects that exceed expectations.

Schedule note
7/6/2026 - 9/12/2026

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