OCOE 2110 - Introduction to design softwares (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop)

This course is designed for students who wish to pursue a creative career in the entertainment and advertising industries and who want to gain a deeper understanding of graphic design software.

Entirely hands-on, this workshop introduces students to digital design and Adobe Creative Cloud applications: Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Students will also discover how these three programs can be used together in a complementary workflow. The course covers the creation and manipulation of both bitmap and vector images, while helping students master essential keyboard shortcuts to improve efficiency and workflow.

Students will explore a variety of design processes, including layout and composition, workspace organization, tools and panels, file importing, and saving files for both screen display and print production.

Topics Covered:

Understanding the fundamentals of design and layout through Adobe Illustrator.

Learning the differences between bitmap and vector images.

Creating shapes and a vector logo in Illustrator.

Setting up and working with multi-page documents in InDesign.

Using InDesign to import, organize, and format text and images.

Understanding the fundamentals of image editing and manipulation in Photoshop.

Exporting digital files for screen presentations and print production.

Using Photoshop to create animated images and motion graphics.

Course taught en English: A minimum English C1 level in English is required.

6 sessions of 2 hours each

The$is introduction to design software combines theory and practice, with a strong emphasis on progressively challenging hands-on exercises. Learning activities include micro-projects, guided exercises for developing specific skills, and open-ended assignments designed to foster student autonomy, encourage independent research, and support the development of a personal approach to using digital creative tools.

Students are required to submit two individual projects, produced using Adobe creative software taught in the course.

Project 1 — Editorial Booklet

Design and layout of an editorial booklet aimed at a clearly identified and relevant audience.

The content must be adapted to the chosen editorial format, coherent, and clearly structured.

Project 2 — Animated Advertisement (GIF)

Creation of an animated advertisement for a product, event, or any other topic, delivered as a creative GIF file applying the fundamental principles of motion design.

Assessment Criteria