Each student will develop their computer skills in the area of visual design. Students will create and manipulate images, explore elements of graphic design, and develop their creative side. Research skills and the use of the Internet will also be further investigated.

     The class will be using Adobe’s Creative Suite 3, which includes “Photoshop,” “Illustrator,” “Dreamweaver” and others. The first semester will concentrate Photoshop, from basic digital image enhancement to advanced designs for print and web.   Semester 2 will cover Illustrator, which allows students to create their own vector graphics that can be scaled to any size without distortion. Where Photoshop allows one to manipulate existing images, Illustrator tools are used to create original artwork.  Both products are the industry standards in the graphic arts field.

Semester 1 - Photoshop

Standard 1 - Introduction to Photoshop/ Getting to Know the Work Area

Standard 2 - Basic Photo Corrections

Standard 3 - Retouching and Repairing

Standard 4 - Working with Selections

Standard 5 - Layer Basics

Standard 6 - Correcting and Enhancing Digital Photographs

Standard 7 - Typographic Design

Standard 8 - Vector Drawing Techniques

Standard 9 - Advanced Layering

Standard 10 - Advanced Compositing

Standard 11 - Preparing Files for the Web