Do you need to create a stunning brochure, marketing piece or newsletter and don’t know where to begin? Do you regularly create communications pieces, but never had any formal training in graphic or web design? Do you just want to refine your skills by learning the basics of great design? If any of these apply to you, then Mastering Basic Design Principles is for you.

This two-day course will include the basic principles, elements, and vocabulary of designing for both print and the web.

This is the fourth recommended class in the Graphic Design Certificate.

Upon successful completion of this class you should be able to:

• Explain how to use typography, color, layout and more.
• Identify design components such as photos, borders and backgrounds, etc. for both print and web.
• Recognize the components of design by using the principles of placement, grouping, alignment flow and space to create cohesive and pleasing designs.
• Explain and apply solid foundational knowledge of design principles.
• Understand and apply which program is best for completing your design work.

Audience: Anyone working with general design communication for print or web.

Prerequisite: None

This two-day class breaks down the interface, tools, and features of Adobe Photoshop CC into easily understood topics and hands-on exercises. You will learn how to use tools to enhance images, whether for digital photography, print design, or the web. Gain proficiency in using Photoshop’s many selection methods. Work with layers for design flexibility and creative effects. This class also covers an introduction to color models and color management—to ensure your final product looks and prints as expected!

This class will include the basic principles, elements and vocabulary of using Photoshop. It will give you valuable tips and techniques related to many uses of Photoshop. This class is taught using Adobe Photoshop CC but most skills will be transferable to other versions.

This is the third recommended class in the Graphic Design Certificate series.

Upon successful completion of this class you should be able to:

• Navigate the environment including tools, panels and Adobe Bridge.
• Work with basic and advanced selection tools to include basic photo correction tools.
• Understand and work with layers for greater flexibility and creative effects.
• Straighten, crop and resize photos and graphics.
• Work with clone tool, healing brush, and patch tool and Incorporate text with graphics.
• Explore Photoshop’s blending modes and filters.
• Understand color models and work with color libraries and enhance image colors, tone and sharpness.
• Work with advanced compositing.

Audience: Professionals who have limited to moderate experience using photo editing software programs and who design general communications for print or web.

Prerequisites: Before taking this class students should be familiar with Windows functions. Some familiarity with Adobe software applications is helpful.

If you need to create, re-vamp or maintain a website, and you need background knowledge and a few useful skills and tips, this class is for you. This class will discuss the fundamentals of what it takes to create a website from scratch and maintain it. We will discuss the process of creating websites, terms, principles, converting images for the web, different types of website software, and more. We will walk through the process of creating a very simple website and learn basic HTML and CSS coding using Notepad++.

Class format includes lecture, hands-on exercises, and real world examples.

This is the fifth recommended class in the Graphic Design Certificate.

Upon completion of this class, you should be able to:

• Understand the process of creating a website from scratch.
• Understand important fundamental website vocabulary such as domain, URL, FTP etc..
• Define different software options for creating websites.
• Understand best practices & guidelines for planning a website.
• Discuss navigation techniques and terminology.
• Analyze a website to critique what works and what doesn’t.
• Understand the concept of Search Engine Optimization (SEO).
• Identify usability principles and a checklist to help you create user-friendly sites.
• Recognize integrated social media on a website.
• Create a simple website using HTML and CSS.

Audience: This class is ideal for anyone, but especially communications professionals who are involved in the conception, visual appeal and ease of use of web content.