Lesson 1 - Wednesday, January 21

Welcome to Art 86! Today, our first day of class, we'll discuss:

• Class member introductions
• The Art 86 syllabus
• The Photoshop software package
• What Is Graphic Design?
• Student info/questionnaires (print and fill out/turn in)

If you have any questions outside of class, don't hesitate to contact me.

Lesson 2 - Monday, January 26

Welcome back! We'll activate our user accounts before we do any serious work today. I should have your student ID numbers, so feel free to come ask me if you don't have yours with you.

In today's lesson we'll get into the basics of image editing - using the Photoshop work area, digital image composition (pixels, etc.), as well as common tasks like undo and zooming in and out.

Your first assignment (image challenge) starts today and is due on Monday, February 1. There are two parts to this assignment. The first part is to find a photograph, either your own or a freely-licensed one, and enhance it using Photoshop. By "enhance," I mean fix, improve, retouch, or dress up. You may combine two or more photographs if you wish.

The second part of the assignment is to document what you accomplished (using a word processor) and how you accomplished it. You'll need to save your finished image in PSD format and your finished (less than one page) writeup in DOC format in your Finished Works folder.

This assignment is worth 20 points and you'll be graded mostly on effort - I don't expect you to be experts (although some of you have surprised me...).

Some of today's Photoshop commands:

• Image -> Adjust -> Hue and Saturation
• Filter -> Liquify
• Filter -> Filter Gallery

Lesson 3 - Monday, February 2

Welcome back. Today we will:

• Review last Monday's lesson and tools
• Learn some new image enhancement tools, like:
• Image --> Adjustments --> Brightness and Contrast
• Image --> Adjustments --> Photo Filters
• The Crop tool (on the toolbar at left, or press 'c')
• Talk about a few other things...like Prokudin Gorskii's photos

The assignment that was due today is now due on Wednesday. For help saving, take a look at this graphic which shows you what to save, and where.

Lesson 4 - Monday, February 8

Today we'll start learning some of the most-used, most fun tools in the Photoshop toolbox. And we'll learn by focusing on the...cosmetic side of things.

We'll also start Assignment 2! The assignment:

• Retouch one of the portraits in the "portraits" class folder
• Remove blemishes
• Remove dust specks
• ...or just go crazy and make the person look 10 years younger
• change necktie colors
• etc.

This assignment is due next Wednesday (Feb. 18) and should be saved as assignment2.psd in your finished work folder.

Lesson 5 - Wednesday, February 11

Today we'll start learning about selections:

• What selecting is
• Why it's helpful
• Using a basic selection tool
• Inverting a selection
• Deselecting and why it's so crucial

During lab time you can work on your homework assignment, which is due on Wednesday, February 18.

Lesson 6 - Wednesday, February 18

Here's what we'll cover today:

• Some selections review
• The Magic Wand tool
• The Quick Selection tool
• Transforming Selections
• Saving and Loading Selections
• Refining Selections (Add/Subtract/Refine Edge)

We also checked out Dylan Cole's matte painting work.

Be sure to save assignment 2 to your Finished Work folder before you leave today!

Lesson 7 - Monday, February 22

Here's what we'll cover today:

• Layers: What "non-destructive editing" is and why layers are useful
• Layers: Using copy & paste to make a new layer
• Layers: Moving a layer around
• Layers: Erasing parts of a layer and controlling layer visibility
• Design: What is graphic design?

We'll start our next assignment (#3) on Wednesday. For 10 points of extra credit, you can do the "scrapbook" layers project in Lesson 5 in the book.

Lesson 8 - Wednesday, February 24

In today's class:

• Design: Principles of design and elements of design!
• Design: Letterpress video (compare with Monday's stop sign video)
• Photoshop: Layers Review
• Photoshop: Basic Collage Technique using copy/paste, the move tool, and...
• Photoshop: Free Transform
• Assignment: Make a computer wallpaper collage

In assignment 3, due next Wednesday, you'll be making a 1024 x 768 pixel computer wallpaper image (go to File ---> New and enter the pixel dimensions and click OK). This is a picture that displays on your computer's desktop, where all the icons are. People like to use wallpaper images to "pretty up" or personalize their computer.

In this assignment you'll need to combine three or more images, however you like, to create a collage. You might try the Flickr search tool to find images or inspiration.

One example of a site that lets you download computer wallpaper that others have created is InterfaceLift. Remember the 7,700-layer Photoshop wallpwper? THAT was overkill. But I might give you 5 points of extra credit if you...hmm, nevermind. :-)

Lesson 9 - Wednesday, March 4

In today's class:

• Assignment 3: is due (end of class)
• Photoshop: Adobe Bridge video
• Design: Display resolution
• Design: File types - what to use, when
• Midterm: Midterm project begins!

Midterm Project options
Your options for the midterm project design (MUST be 300ppi resolution except for the website option):
1. An original logo design (for any company, real or fictitious - canvas should be 8" square)
2. Re-design of the Mendocino College Class Schedule or Catalog cover page (8.5" x 11")
3. A Wedding Invitation (any dimensions at 300ppi)
4. An original CD or DVD cover design (templates can be found here)
5. A home page for a website design (real or fictitious - don't do the HTML unless you want to, just the graphic layout at 960 pixels wide and as tall as you want, at least 700px tall)
6. A flyer design (8.5x11") for a product or service, again, real or fictitious.

What your project must include
1. The project! A Photoshop (.PSD) file saved in your "Finished Work" folder as YOUR NAME-midterm.PSD.
2. A short in-class presentation: You'll show us the project and tell us how you made it, what design principles you used, and any challenges you solved with the design. Don't worry about the technical part of the presentation - I'll show your design on the projector and you can just give us a brief overview.

The midterm project is due on Wednesday, March 25 and is worth 50 points.

Midterm Exam
There will be a midterm exam, worth 40 points, to be completed in class on March 25 (I'll help you prepare...)

Lesson 10 - Monday, March 5

Welcome back! Today:

• Typography: introduction
• Photoshop: Starting a new project from scratch
• Photosohp: Layout tools

Remember...

The midterm project is due on Wednesday, March 25 and is worth 50 points.

Midterm Exam
There will be a midterm exam, worth 40 points, to be completed in class on March 25 (I'll help you prepare...)

Lesson 11 - Wednesday, March 11

Today:

• Instruction: How the Web Works
• Photoshop: Creating a web page in Photoshop

Remember...

The midterm project is due on Wednesday, March 25 and is worth 50 points.

Midterm Exam
There will be a midterm exam, worth 40 points, to be completed in class on March 25 (I'll help you prepare...)

Lesson 12 - Monday, March 16

Today:

• Review: Web Design
• Review: Midterm options (the bulk of the time today is available to you as a lab day)

Remember...

The midterm project is due on Wednesday, March 25 and is worth 50 points.

Midterm Exam
There will be a midterm exam, worth 40 points, to be completed in class on March 25 (I'll help you prepare...)

Lesson 13 - Wednesday, March 18

Today: Lab time and midterm review. I'll walk around and see where you are with your projects - if you have questions or would like help, design reviews, or relationship advice, be sure to let me know.

Remember...

The midterm project is due on Wednesday, March 25 and is worth 50 points.

Midterm Exam
There will be a midterm exam, worth 40 points, to be completed in class on March 25 (I'll help you prepare...)

Lesson 14 - Monday, March 23

Today: Final midterm lab day. I'll walk around and see where you are with your projects - if you have questions or would like help, design reviews, or tax advice, be sure to let me know. If you're done with your midterm project and have been absent more than a couple times, do some extra credit - redesign up to three existing flyers/posters/dvd covers.

Remember...

The midterm project is due on Wednesday, March 25 and is worth 50 points.

Midterm Exam
There will be a midterm exam, worth 40 points, to be completed in class on March 25 (I'll help you prepare...)

Lesson 15 - Monday, March 30

Today we'll:

• Review midterm exam answers
• Review the midterm exercise
• Learn about Layer Styles
• Learn about extra credit that's available
• Begin Assignment 4

Assignment 4 is a flyer for a product or service. This can be real or imaginary. Here are the guidelines:

• Use typography skills that you've picked up (or will pick up soon).
• Use at least one photo and harmonize the rest of the design with it. We've seen examples of this before.
• Use four (4) real paragraphs (not phrases) of text to describe the product, how it works, and why it's great.
• You may not use a white background or black text anywhere in this design. :)

Assignment 4 is due on Wednesday, April 8 at the end of class. Save it as "Assignment 4.psd" in your Finished Work folder.

To start this new document, go to File --> New in Photoshop, and type in these numbers: 1. Name: Assignment 4 2. Width: 8.5 inches 3. Height: 11 inches 4. Resolution: 300 pixels per inch (NOT 72).

Extra credit is also available. This is good for those of you who have been absent more than twice. Between now and the end of the semester, you may redesign up to three existing flyers or advertisements (for example, something you found on a bulletin board or in the telephone book that could use a redesign) and submit them for a possible 10 points each. You will need to submit the original flyer or ad with your design.

Lesson 16 - Wednesday, April 1

Today we'll:

• Review image file formats and learn some new information
• Review Layer Styles
• Talk about layer masks
• Give you time to work on Assignment 4

Lesson 17 - Monday, April 6

In today's lesson, we will:

• Review what we learned last week
• Talk about Clipping Masks
• Talk about typography
• Give you time to work on Assignment 4

Lesson 18 - Wednesday, April 8

Today:

• Midterm projects have been graded
• We'll review what we learned last time
• You'll have time to finish your flyer assignment
• Don't forget - NO class next week!

Lesson 19 - Monday, April 20

Welcome back! Today:

• We'll do some review
• We'll start learning about Web Photo Galleries and PDF Galleries
• We'll begin Assignment 5!

Your assignment, due next Wednesday, April 29: Make either a web photo gallery (see also this video tutorial) or a PDF portfolio (pages 242-244 in the book). Please use at least 10 images that either belong to you or that you have rights to use(royalty-free, etc.).

For both cases (PDF or Web Gallery), I will show you how to start using Photoshop's File menu (File -> Automate) rather than Adobe Bridge.

The web photo gallery can be sent to friends and/or clients via email, but to make the best use of it, you'd want to use a web host (such as Pacific Internet) to upload the web gallery to your own website.

This assignment, Assignment 5, is due at the end of class on Wednesday, April 29. To turn it in, save either the PDF file or the web gallery folder to your Finished Work folder with an appropriate name that includes "Assignment 5."

Lesson 20 - Wednesday, April 22

Today:

• Custom shapes
• Custom shapes exercise
• You'll have time to work on your assignment

Lesson 21 - Monday, April 27

Today:

• Finish up the Custom Shapes exercise
• Learn about keeping yourself from going crazy in Photoshop (7,700 layers, oh my!)
• You'll have time to work on your assignment...or do extra credit work...

Lesson 22 - Wednesday, April 29

Today:

• Some review of custom shapes/vector shapes (check out Dangeruss' website)
• Assignment 5 is due...I also mentioned Jalbum.net
• We begin the final project!
• We take another look at design principles in action!
• Assignment 6 begins; it's due next Wednesday, May 6.

For Assignment 6, we'll be using the left-hand column of the Design Meltdown site. Find 5 websites that appeal to you, using the menu in the left column. For each website that appeals to you, type its name and give an example of at least two design principles that you think make the design unique and successful, and explain why. For this assignment, you'll need to use a word processor like Microsoft Word and save the document file as Assignment-6.doc in your Finished Work folder.

Here is an example:
"The Detektiv Nali website successfully uses dark red and desaturated yellows to convey a rich, antiqued look. It also makes great use of texture, combining old-fashioned background pattern with worn paper and other textures.

Final Project options
Your options for the final project design (MUST be 300ppi resolution except for the website option):
1. An original logo design (for any company, real or fictitious - canvas should be 8" square)
2. Re-design of the Mendocino College Class Schedule or Catalog cover page (8.5" x 11")
3. A Wedding Invitation (any dimensions at 300ppi)
4. An original CD or DVD cover design (templates can be found here)
5. A home page for a website design (real or fictitious - don't do the HTML unless you want to, just the graphic layout at 960 pixels wide and as tall as you want, at least 700px tall)
6. A flyer design (8.5x11") for a product or service, again, real or fictitious.

What your project must include
1. The project! A Photoshop (.PSD) file saved in your "Finished Work" folder as YOUR NAME-final.PSD.
2. A three-color color scheme, to be submitted to me by Wednesday, May 6. Here is a site with more information.
3. A short in-class presentation: You'll show us the project and tell us how you made it, what design principles you used, and any challenges you solved with the design. Don't worry about the technical part of the presentation - I'll show your design on the projector and you can just give us a brief overview.

The final project is due on Wednesday, May 20 and is worth 50 points.

Final Exam
There will be a final exam, worth 70 points, to be completed in class on May 20 (I'll help you prepare...)

Lesson 23 - Monday, May 3

Today we'll start to learn about perspective in Photoshop:

• What is perspective?
• What are some common situations where we make use of it?
• What tools can we use?
• What we can do vs. what is very difficult to do

During the lab, you'll have time to work on the assignment due on Wednesday and the Final Project. Remember that your color scheme is due on May 6.

Lesson 24 - Wednesday, May 6

Today:

• Perspective II: Distorting a layer
• Using Vanishing Point with cut and paste
• Adjustment layers

Assignment 7 is from Lesson 10 in the book, "Advanced Layering," and you'll be using the Vanishing Point filter we looked at in class. The assignment is to complete the work in pages 314-331 by the end of class next Wednesday. Save your result as Assignment-7.psd in your Finished Work folder.

Lesson 25 - Monday, May 11

Today:

• We begin our Comprehensive Review
• Perspective review
• Applied perspective III
• Extra credit assignment involving applied perspective is available
• Web export: Zoomify

Remember, Assignment 7 (completion of Lesson 10 in the book) is due on Wednesday.

Extra Credit
For 20 points of extra credit, you can complete Lesson 9 in the book (Vector Drawing Techniques) and apply the result to the DVD preview template (in the "Files Shared by Instructor" -> "Perspective folder") that I demonstrated in class.

Lesson 26 - Wednesday, May 13

Today:

• We continue our Comprehensive Review
• We learn what actions are and why they're helpful
• We learn how to use actions to batch-process images

Remember, Assignment 7 (completion of Lesson 10 in the book) is due today.

Lesson 27 - Monday, May 18

Today:

• Review
• Editing actions
• Photoshop resources
• Example: Art and Software