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

Introduction to design software is a comprehensive and hands-on course, which is aimed at students willing to pursue creative careers in the entertainment and advertising industries, and who wish to get a better understanding of design Software’s, looking for a sound introduction to the capabilities of 3 leading industry-standard software programmes: Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign.

They will discover how seamlessly the 3 programmes can work together, and gain an appreciation of bitmap and vector graphics, as well as learn when it's best to use the different image file formats.

The course will also:

give students some tips on using basic keyboard shortcuts to improve workflow,

Allow them to explore a variety of processes including design and layout, workspaces, tools and palettes, importing files and saving files for onscreen and print output.

Topics Covered:

Understanding the rudiments of design and layout

Looking at the difference between bitmap and vector graphics

Understanding the range of image file formats

Setting up and working with a multi-paged InDesign document

Exploring Illustrator and Photoshop workspaces, tools and palettes

Using InDesign to import/lay out text and images (created in Photoshop and Illustrator)

Saving files for onscreen and/or print output

English C1 (fluent or native).

12h of attendance at classes: 6 x 2h minimum. 30 minutes of minimum work after each class, in anticipation of the course after. This time will be proportional to the will and investment of the student in the quality of the work he wants to produce.

This introduction to design software’s course is punctuated by an alternation of theory and practice with a large proportion of calibrated exercises with progressive difficulties. Among the short exercises: micro-projects, very guided exercises for some learning, open exercises to develop the autonomy of the student and invite him to seek out by himself and develop his personal use of digital practices and tools digital creation.

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: