Design with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign
Course Code: VG357
Duration: 9 sessions (over 10 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Center for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
This course is about learning the basics of how to use Adobe InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop – the three main programs used by graphic designers for print. Gain experience with the different software and learn how they can be integrated in your projects while you explore a variety of design techniques and concepts.
This is an online course and you will need to have access to the latest version of Adobe® Creative Cloud for Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign, which is what will be used to teach this course.
Please note that versions older than CC are not suitable for this course, as there are too many differences and as a result students will not be able to perform many of the same functions on their own computers.
Unfortunately, due to the range of hardware and software used by students at home, the College is unable to provide advice on installation issues.
What will we cover?
Please note: this course is usually oversubscribed. Those that sign up for it are expected to participate fully and will be required to do homework each week.
- Fundamentals of InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator for print
- Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign integration
- Design and illustration concepts, composition, colour, texture and pattern
- Editing Raster images with Photoshop
- Using Photoshop to repair, enhance and combine images into photomontages
- Vector graphics and illustration with Illustrator
- Using Illustrator to create illustrations, graphics, logos and patterns
- Page layout and design with InDesign
- Using InDesign to layout pages, create multi-page documents and compile projects,
- Typography basics, saving text styles and wrapping text around images
- Saving and exporting work to different file formats.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Identify the main differences between, and the uses for
Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign
Use Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign for the following:
- Create designs
- Layout page/s with text and images
- Set up and indicate: bleed, crop and fold marks for folded materials
- Save a body of work for future development.
- Export a pdf for print or online viewing
- Export images for web and print.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
No prior knowledge of Photoshop, Illustrator or InDesign is required. However, students should be confident and competent computer users on a Mac or Windows PC and be proficient with a mouse and keyboard in either a creative software, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint or equivalent and should be able to download, upload, save, open and retrieve files. Some awareness of design for print or any other art/design practice would be useful.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion. You should be able to use numbers and be able to do simple measurements and calculations.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught using a range of techniques including short lectures, demonstrations, practical exercises, tutorials, group and individual assistance. Student preparation and homework outside class times is strongly encouraged.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No costs. Should you wish to practice outside class time, you will need to have access to your own licensed Adobe® Creative Cloud software.
Pen and notepad for note taking. You may also find that having a couple of sheets of A4 paper and a ruler to hand would also be useful. Handouts for this course will be provided electronically and are best viewed in Adobe Acrobat Reader (or, if you have full Creative Cloud, Acrobat DC) so may want to have Acrobat on your computer.
As a City Lit student, you may be entitled to student discount on Adobe Creative Cloud applications. Please visit the Adobe website Creative Cloud for education webpage for full details.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Please click here to view our courses in the Adobe Creative Cloud.
Gita’s practice as a graphic designer and illustrator spans many years and disciplines within the field. She has worked in print and screen-based media across major broadcast, corporate, NGO, publishing and state sectors. Gita went digital in 1991. She brings her experience and knowledge to teaching Adobe Creative Cloud apps for design and Illustration in different departments within Visual Arts at City Lit. She started teaching evening and weekend courses at City Lit in 2006, having previously provided bespoke workplace-training for companies and organisations. Her classes are regarded as fun, friendly and challenging, with extensive resources for both in-and-after course study.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
