"Exploration in Design I" is a course offered by the Rhode Island School of Design's Continuing Education department that focuses on the planning process of design and creating impactful ideas. The course tackles key elements of design, such as line, shape, color, value, pattern, texture, space, and form. Students are encouraged to experiment with scale, transparency, transition, and various approaches, leading to the creation of a personalized collection of studies and completed works. The curriculum includes exploration of painting methods and materials such as gouache and acrylic, and students may also incorporate ink and basic printmaking techniques. The course is delivered online and includes two live Zoom meetings as part of its instructional format. It runs for a duration of four weeks, during which students should anticipate spending a minimum of five hours per week engaged in coursework. The schedule indicates that the course begins in early September and extends into mid-October, and students are advised to plan their schedules accordingly to keep up with the class. The instructor for the course is Bryan Melillo. The prerequisites for the course state that this is part of RISD's Advanced Program Online, a pre-collegiate program for students ages 15–18 in grades 10–12. This course is the first part of a two-part offering of Exploration in Design. Upon completion of the course, students will have developed a core practice that will aid in the success of their current and future work. They will also have gained a deeper understanding of design and its various elements, as well as hands-on experience with different painting methods and materials.