Graphic Design 101 - Using Photoshop

NOTE: students must own Adobe Photoshop to complete the course. (NOT Photoshop Elements) See additional information.

This is a very thorough and in-depth course, which will enable student students to tackle a variety of projects and create designs. Their creative skills and abilities will also be challenged and refined.

Over 8 week, students will learn the basics of Graphic Design, and have a taste at the working world of Graphic Design by creating their own designs for imaginary clients.
 
Each week learners will complete tasks together, following what they see me do on my screen. They will use images and graphics provided beforehand, to complete that week's tasks, and learn the tools and skills needed for each step. I will demonstrate where different tools are located within the Photoshop software, how to use them, and discuss some basic Graphic Design theory.

Students will also have 2 projects to complete independently throughout the course, and use a dedicated sketchbook to record their research and design ideas in.

Each week students will be given an independent task to complete in Photoshop, and guidance on how to complete this. 

The topics covered on the course are as follows:

Week 1: Understanding Typography

Week 2: Patterns, Colours and Textures

Week 3: Working with Shapes. 

Week 4: Working with Digital Paintbrushes - Please note learners will be directed to a website outside of Outschool in order to download brushes. See resource list for more information.

Week 5: Using photoshop to create the 4 Elements PART 1

Week 6: Using photoshop to create the 4 Elements PART 2

Week 7: Pop-Art - How to Reproduce Elements and Create Variation 

Week 8: An introduction to composite images 

By the end of the course  students will be familiar with the main areas of Photoshop, and be able to design their own pieces. They will have had the opportunity to design their own pieces and be able to transfer their ideas from paper to the screen.