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

Today’s business requires data to be compiled, analyzed and presented visually to make informed decisions. This course builds on the basic concepts of Excel 2016 level 1, providing more advanced tools for analysis and presentation of complex, realistic data. Practice the advanced skills necessary for working with complex workbooks, building complex functions, using data analysis tools, making an impact with charts, and collaborating with others.

This course covers Excel 2016, however, the similarities with the 2013 version are such that all users should be successful learning this latest product.

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

• Use named ranges in formulas.
• Learn logical, date, and text functions.
• Analyze data with table functions.
• Create and modify charts.
• Use PivotTables to summarize and rearrange large amounts of data in a list, and use PivotCharts to present such data.
• Use custom conditional formatting.
• Use Quick Analysis features to conveniently analyze data.

Prerequisite: Completion of the Microsoft Excel 2016 Level 1 course or equivalent knowledge and experience is strongly recommended.

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.