Adobe for the People
Purpose of this Course
To learn how to use Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator effectively to produce graphic communications, along with other programs that are
needed to complete the tasks.
All three will be used to perform parts of the task. This is not a graphic design class. This course is intended to teach the use of the programs to prepare projects properly for their intended medium.
In addition to using InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator to produce print-ready and web-ready documents, the class will make use of other common programs that are necessary to complete projects, such as Word, Excel, Google, and others. Projects will include:
- A 3-panel print brochure (InDesign, primarily)
- Social media graphics — static and animated (Photoshop, primarily)
- An 8-page magazine — print-ready and web-ready (InDesign, primarily)
- A vector logo using several color spaces (Illustrator, primarily)
- A postcard/poster series (Illustrator, InDesign, Excel, primarily)
These are real-world examples of what these Adobe applications are used for. The student will use these applications to produce optimal files for each application. Technical accuracy is the key; graphic design or “artistic skill” is not necessarily the object of this course.
You will learn how each program is used for the right purpose. Creative "assets" will be provided as needed for examples and placeholders.
For example: to produce a brochure, you will learn that InDesign is the “base” program to be used, with Illustrator and Photoshop used for parts of the project, i.e. logos, illustrations, photos.
There are some common “themes” used throughout the Adobe suite of applications. These would include:
- File Formats
- Color Spaces
- Typography/Fonts
- Image Acquisition
- Print and Web Specifications
These areas are intended to educate the students, not only on how to operate the programs, but how and why to use them to produce the best final result. This course is intended for people who want to use these tools for personal projects, projects in their work, houses of worship, clubs, organizations and for those who want to work in publishing or graphic design, for which this provides a base of fundamental knowledge.
The Outcome
At the end of this course, students will learn how to properly use InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator to produce real-world projects. As each program has many functions, many of which will never be used, the students may not learn everything there is to the program. For example, creating variable data in InDesign, or animations in Photoshop. It is suggested that if students wish to know more about the inner workings of these programs, to explore additional learning opportunities through Adobe, Lynda, etc.
At the completion of this course, students are expected to have enough base knowledge to be able to successfully pass the Adobe Certified Associate exams.
Note: These exams are multiple choice and many of the questions are related to these “inner workings” of the programs. If the student’s intent is to take the certification exams, it is suggested that those students explore those additional learning opportunities, practice using some of the obscure tools, use the programs’ help menus, etc. The exams are available through Pearson. Successfully completing the three exams certifies you as an Adobe Visual Design Specialist.
This course will be delivered via Zoom. Students are expected to have working and current versions of Adobe applications, as well as Microsoft Office (or LibreOffice, or other open source alternative), a reliable internet connection, and preferably, at least three browsers installed (Chrome, Edge, Brave recommended).
Cost: $245.00
Email ilearn@corning-cc.edu or call 607-936-5501 for more information on upcoming dates or opportunities for your corporate training needs!
Businesses in Chemung, Schuyler and Steuben interested in seeking funding to send promising leaders from their organizations to this training should contact Julie Elliott, CSS Workforce NY, Senior Business Partner at julie.elliott@csswfny.com
SUNY Corning Community College is committed to ensuring equal access to students with disabilities. If you believe that you will need accommodations while taking this course, please contact Accessibility Services by phone 607-962-9262 or email Accessibility@corning-cc.edu to begin the process of requesting accommodations. We strive to coordinate accommodations in a timely manner, but some accommodations may not be available when you need them if you do not give timely notice.
Your Instructor: Jeff Macharyas
Jeff has many years of experience in marketing, publishing, and higher education as
a creative director, marketing director, graphic designer, communications director,
VP-Operations and webmaster.
Jeff has been learning and using the Adobe Creative Suite since the 1990s to produce magazines, books, advertising, websites, graphics, and more for companies such as The American Spectator, the USO's OnPatrol, Marine Corps League, Selling Power, Artes Graficas, St. Lawrence University, and many others, ranging from Boy Scout troops to bowling alleys. Moreover, he offers his graphic services, as a volunteer, to Catchafire.
Jeff holds an MS in Cybersecurity/Computer Forensics from Utica College, a miniMBA in Social Media Marketing from Rutgers University, a BS in Communications/Visual Arts from Florida State University, and an AS from Indian River Community College. Jeff is certified by Google and Adobe, and is a licensed amateur radio operator and certified fencing instructor.
Learning Adobe is not Only for Graphic Designers
Arsen Serobian, a graduate of the famous Moscow Choreographic Academy, has established
dance and ballet academies in Los Angeles.
“Learning ballet is not easy, but learning incorrectly is even worse,” Arsen states on his website. This is true not only in ballet but in creating print and digital projects for business.
In order to create the branding, web and digital marketing he needed for his business, Arsen turned to the Adobe Creative Suite.
“I primarily use Photoshop, Illustrator and Premiere to create what I need for my business,” Serobian explains.
Arsen has created several websites to support his business, using the open source WordPress platform, but he uses Adobe to create the elements that make up the website. Specifically, Photoshop to create the layers and optimize the photos for web use. He uses Photoshop to create mobile apps as well.
“I use Illustrator to create logos and print material because Illustrator allows the most control over the quality,” he adds.
Trial and Error Takes a Long Time
When using Premiere, Adobe’s video-editing program, Arsen says he learned it by watching YouTube videos and through trial and error.
“Trial and error takes a lot of time to get it right — but to have someone guide you right from the start really helps.”
Learning and using the Adobe Creative Suite is not just for graphic designers, video editors and magazine publishers — it’s for business owners like Arsen, entrepreneurs and for people who want to create print and digital projects correctly and optimally for their friends and families, their organizations and affiliations or their own projects. The Adobe Creative Suite of programs offers a varied and powerful set of functions that can take a long time to master.
In this course, you’ll learn how to get up and running on the basics of Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign, and maybe a little Premiere right from the start. Becoming an expert is up to you, but you’ll finish this course with enough skills and knowledge to set you on your way to designing and producing print and digital content — the right way.
The Creative Mind
“Learning to use these programs correctly leads to the creative mind,” Arsen says. Unleash your creative mind by learning how to use several Adobe programs to create your next masterpiece — correctly, optimally and beautifully.
This is not a graphic design course. Creativity and imagination are necessary, but students will learn how to “operate” the various Adobe applications to produce print and digital content correctly and optimally. The rest is up to you — and your imagination.