Course pre-requisite(s): The course is designed for Bachelor-level students with basic knowledge of graphic design and familiarity with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.

Course Overview
This workshop explores how natural forms, textures, and colors can inspire contemporary graphic design. Students will engage in hands-on, creative exercises to transform organic elements into visual identities, including logos, patterns, and applied graphics. Each participant will select a natural element, analyze its structure, rhythm, and palette, and develop it into a cohesive design system. The course emphasizes sustainable and eco-conscious approaches, encouraging students to consider the environmental and cultural implications of design. Practical exercises integrate observation, abstraction, digital design, and applied mockups, while fostering innovation, critical thinking, and aesthetic sensitivity. The workshop includes international perspectives through examples and case studies. By the end of the course, students will present a set of design works, demonstrating their ability to translate nature into functional, sustainable, and visually compelling graphics.

Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
• Identify and describe key visual characteristics of natural forms, textures, and colors relevant to design.
• Analyze and interpret natural structures to extract aesthetic and functional principles applicable to graphic design.
• Apply knowledge of design principles and sustainable concepts to develop nature-inspired visual compositions.
• Create original graphic design projects — such as logotypes, icons, and patterns — derived from natural elements.
• Implement appropriate digital and manual techniques to visualize, refine, and present design concepts.

Course Content
This course provides a structured exploration of techniques and practices for translating natural inspiration into contemporary graphic design. Through exercises, students will progress from analyzing natural forms to creating applied visual systems, while integrating sustainable and eco-conscious design strategies. Practical activities combine observation, concept development, digital and manual execution, and reflective critique.
Key Topics Include:
• Introduction to biomimicry and nature-inspired design principles.
• Observation and analysis of natural structures, textures, and color palettes.
• Visual research and creative transformation of organic elements.
• Mood board and concept development techniques.
• Creation of logotypes and icons derived from natural forms.
• Composition and pattern design for visual identity systems.
• Application of designs on practical media (e.g., packaging, textiles, stationery).
• Presentation, critique, and reflection on creative outcomes.
The course does not focus on scientific illustration or biological studies of nature. Its emphasis is on design interpretation, creative process, and sustainable graphic design practices.

Instructional Method
The workshop integrates a combination of presentations, guided analysis, and structured studio practice. Initially, the introductory presentation reveals principles of nature-inspired and sustainable design, supported by examples from contemporary graphic design. Students then select a natural element at random and conduct practical exploration, beginning with hand-drawn sketches and analog exercises to analyze form, texture, color, and structure. Subsequently, concepts are refined and developed digitally into logotypes, icons, patterns, and applied graphics. Throughout the workshop, activities include individual work, peer feedback, and instructor-led critique, culminating in formal presentations and group discussion, in which students reflect on
their creative process, design decisions, and integration of sustainable design principles.

Required Course Materials
Hardware and Tools:
A3 drawing papers.
Sketchbooks, drawing pencils, markers, and other traditional drawing materials.
Access to a computer or laptop with graphic design software installed.
Software:
Adobe Illustrator and/or Adobe Photoshop and/or Corel Draw.

Students are expected to bring personal materials for sketching and experimentation and have basic familiarity with digital design tools prior to the workshop.

Assessment
Student learning will be evaluated on four components using the 10-point grading scale (5–6 Pass, 7–8 Good, 9–10 Excellent). Both process and final outcomes are considered. Assessment is based on four components that reflect both the creative process and the final outcomes. Each component is graded individually on a 0–10 scale, and the final grade is the average of the four scores. It is determined by averaging these four component scores. The evaluation system table is presented below.