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Computers
in Art

Welcome!

So you're a marketer? A designer? Just trying to fulfill art credits? Either way, you're definitely in the right spot.
 

​This beginner level course starts out with the very basics and is designed for anyone to enjoy. We'll laugh, you might cry but we'll have a good time learning!

Have a question? 

Send me a message!

Criteria Covered

Combine creativity with technical skill to render digital imagery in Photoshop. The basics of content, color, composition, style and visual metaphor will be explored.

Photoshop

Explore tools and techniques to create illustrations in Adobe Illustrator. The basics of drawing, vector manipulation and color theory will be explored.
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Illustrator

Get started with exposure to real life projects using InDesign's dynamic text layout features. Learn how to follow brand guidelines and apply color, typography and imagery to create professional layouts.
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InDesign

You will learn how put text, shapes and photography into motion. We will work with audio, adjust timing, import video and add effects to create fun projects and learn a lot along the way.
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After Effects

Photoshop CC Essentials

Learn everything you need to know to get started in Photoshop

Overview

Combine creativity with technical skill to render digital imagery in Photoshop. The basics of content, color, composition, style and visual metaphor will be explored.

  • You will learn the basics of photo editing and image manipulation.

  • You will learn the basics of color correction and best practices for file organization.

  • You will learn how to add type, effects and brushes to add flair and depth to the artistic process.

What we cover

01 - Photoshop Navigation

02 - Beginning A Project

03 - Blemish Fixes

04 - Combining Images

05 - Color Adjustment Layers

06 - Adding Type And Effects

07 - Quick Selection And Magic Wand

08 - Clipping Masks And Brushes

09 - Pen Tool And Layer Masks

10 - Filters, Blending Modes And Warping

How we'll do it

Each milestone learning objective is measured via the successful completion of fun exercises designed to build with experience.

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Blemish Fixes/Using Layers

Learn how to use layers & brush types to fix blemishes via the clone stamp, healing brush and dodge/burn tools. Cropping, image resolution and colorspace are explored as well.
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Combining Images

Get familiar with navigating between tabs and windows in the Photoshop workspace by combining multiple images into one. Learn how to crop, specify image settings and scale images appropriately.
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Using Adjustment Layers

Explore adjustment layers to color correct and make fine adjustments to images nondestructively. Learn best practices for using these tools determining when using them is appropriate.
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Adding Type/Effects

Learn how to add flair to your document with the addition of typography! Learn how to add fonts from Adobe Fonts and how to manipulate and add effects for emphasis and creative flair
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The Pen Tool

Practice makes perfect, zoom in and make purposeful selections isolating elements from an image. 
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Clipping Masks/Brushes

Learn how to combine imagery with vector art and typography to make creative compositions using clipping masks and add depth using different brush techniques.

Create a final project

Combine this knowledge and more to create your final project - a Photoshop collage

Your final project is a culmination of all of the skills learned. Combine creativity with technical skill to render a digital collage in Photoshop. The basics of content, color, composition, style and visual metaphor will be explored.
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Beginning Illustrator

Learn the fundamentals and create fun projects using the power of Illustrator

Overview

Explore tools and techniques to create a photorealistic technical illustration in Adobe Illustrator

You will learn the basics of vector drawing and the application of a variety of tools and brushes within the program as well as the importance of vector files and how they are different than raster files. You will learn the fundamentals of appropriate color management, file organization and saving for i

What we cover

01 - Beginning A New File

02 - Drawing WIth Shapes

03 - Combining Shapes

04 - Adding Color

05 - Pen Tool

06 - Clipping Masks

07 - Stroke Effects

08 - Working With Color

09 - Adding Gradients

10 - Typography & Adding Fonts

How we'll do it

Each milestone learning objective is measured via the successful completion of fun exercises designed to build with experience.

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Drawing With Shapes

Get acquainted with vector drawing by learning the ins and outs of shapes! Learn how to scale, color and combine them to create a meaningful layout and lay the groundwork for how to use this powerful program.
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The Pen Tool

Ah, the pen tool, it takes on a whole new life in this program and is far and away Illustrator's most meaningful tool. Learn what a bezier curve is and how to manipulate handles to create iconic shapes.
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Stroke & Brush Effects

This is where the fun starts, learn to add fun effects and use some standard illustrator settings to create powerful compositions.
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Exploring Color Themes

Illustrator is the home of all things branding. Understanding how to add and apply color in a meaningful way is explored as well as some tricks of the trade.
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Using Type

Using type in Illustrator has endless possibilities and this section lays the groundwork for creative thinking and typography manipuluation.
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Color Blending, Gradient Mesh & Effects

Learn how to add depth, contrast and flair to your work using Illustrator's powerful techniques.

Create a final project

Combine this knowledge and more to create your final project - a photorealistic illustration

Create a stylized, realistic illustration of an inanimate object focused on depth and contrast
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InDesign Basics

Combine typography, imagery and color to create professional layouts in InDesign

Overview

We will work through real life projects starting with a simple brochure, a business card and a magazine spread.

We will work with color like a professional where you will learn how to pick your own as well as follow corporate standards. We will find, resize & crop images for your documents and you will explore how to choose & use fonts like a professional using the powerful layout features that InDesign offers.

What we cover

01 - Beginning A New File

02 - Adding And Matching Custom Colors

03 - Formatting Text & Adding Fonts

04 - Resizing Layouts

05 - Images: Sources, Formatting & Resizing

06 - Paragraph, Character & Object Styles

07 - Using Spreads, Placeholders & Columns

08 - Master Pages

09 - Workflow Tips & Tricks

10 - Packaging Files For Sharing

How we'll do it

Each milestone learning objective is measured via the successful completion of fun exercises designed to build with experience.

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Brand Guidelines

Get started with exposure to a professional project that follows brand guidelines specified for color, logos, typography and imagery.
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Working With Type

Get acquainted with adding and adjusting type. Learn how to add fonts from other sources as well as special characters and formatting.
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Using Images

Learn how to use vector and raster images in files and make sure they are appropriately sized and color matched for the intended output.
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Using Styles

Use InDesign's powerful style options for text and objects to ensure proper workflow and edits.
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Using Spreads

Learn how to create multi-page layouts, add a cover, page numbers and other details automatically.
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Formatting Layouts

Learn how to format large bodies of text with ease, check your assets and get everything ready for final production.

Create a final project

Combine this knowledge and more to create your final project - an event handout

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After Effects

Add life to your designs and learn the basics of creating motion graphics

Overview

We begin with a goal of creating a full-length animated advertisement for a fictional company. To get there, we will first explore the basics of animation, study real-world examples and learn the essentials of this industrial strength program.

You will learn how put text, shapes and photography into motion. We will work with audio, adjust timing, import video and add effects to create fun projects and learn a lot along the way.

What we cover

01 - Beginning A New File

02 - Importing Assets Into A Project

03 - Using The Timeline

04 - Animating Still Images

05 - Blending Modes & Layer Effects

06 - Working With Illustrations From Illustrator

07 - Working With Keyframes vs. Expressions

08 - Adjusting Video Footage

09 - Using Audio

10 - Sharing Files

How we'll do it

Each milestone learning objective is measured via the successful completion of fun exercises designed to build with experience.

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Creating A Storyboard

Learn the essentials of creating a storyboard to plan your design.
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Putting Still Images In Motion

We'll begin by getting familiar with what a timeline is and how to bring graphics in to start a project. 
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Using Illustrations

Learn how to use illustrations from Illustrator to bring a composition into After Effects.
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Precomposing & Transitions

Learn how to transition from one scene to the next using transitions. We'll discuss the benefits of precomposing and the basics of animation and motion to create a smooth transition.
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Adjusting Video & Adding Audio

Combining imagery with video is After Effect's most powerful asset and takes design to the next level. We will discuss sources for downloading audio and video and how to incorporate them into projects.
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Blend Modes, Layer Effects & Masks

We'll learn how to put the finishing touches on projects by using simple effects available within After Effects.

Create a final project

Combine this knowledge and more to create your final project - an event advertisement

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