Course curriculum

  • 1

    Week 1 - Getting Started

    • Introduction

    • What do you need to become a Designer?

    • What is it like to be a Designer?

    • Tools you need as a Designer

    • Recommended Pen Tablet - Optional

    • iPad with Apple Pencil - Optional

    • Why learn Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign?

    • Creative Cloud

    • User Interface

    • Preferences

    • Keyboard Shortcuts

    • File formats

    • Image Size and Resolution

    • PROJECT 1 : Leaflet Design - Introduction

    • Download assets for project here!

    • PROJECT 1 : Leaflet Design - PHOTOSHOP - Images

    • PROJECT 1 : Leaflet Design - ILLUSTRATOR - Icons

    • PROJECT 1 : Leaflet Design - INDESIGN - Composition

    • PROJECT 1 : Leaflet Design - Conclusion

    • Conclusion

    • Week 1 - Practice Briefs (for Pro Members)
  • 2

    Week 2 - Core Concepts

    • Introduction

    • Creating New Documents

    • Working with Cloud Documents

    • ILLUSTRATOR - Artboards and Asset Export

    • ILLUSTRATOR - Properties panel

    • INDESIGN - Working with Pages

    • Why you need to use Layers?

    • PHOTOSHOP - Working with Layers

    • ILLUSTRATOR - Using Groups and Layers

    • INDESIGN - Working with Layers

    • Working with Layers on the iPad

    • PHOTOSHOP - Why you need to make Selections?

    • PHOTOSHOP - Smart Selections

    • PHOTOSHOP - Selecting Hair

    • PROJECT 2 : Magazine Cover Design - Introduction

    • PROJECT 2 : Magazine Cover Design - Terms

    • PROJECT 2 : Magazine Cover Design - References and Assets

    • PROJECT 2 : Magazine Cover Design - PHOTOSHOP - Cover photo

    • PROJECT 2 : Magazine Cover Design - ILLUSTRATOR - Title and shapes

    • PROJECT 2 : Magazine Cover Design - INDESIGN - Composition

    • PROJECT 2 : Magazine Cover Design - INDESIGN - Cover lines

    • PROJECT 2 : Magazine Cover Design - Conclusion

    • Conclusion

    • Week 2 - Practice Briefs (for Pro Members)
  • 3

    Week 3 - Working with Images

    • Introduction

    • Managing Images

    • PHOTOSHOP - Image Size and Resolution

    • PHOTOSHOP - Cropping

    • PHOTOSHOP - Cropping Pro Tips

    • PHOTOSHOP - Transformations

    • PHOTOSHOP - Special Transformations

    • INDESIGN - Image Frames

    • INDESIGN - Placing Images

    • INDESIGN - Links panel

    • INDESIGN - Effective Resolution

    • ILLUSTRATOR - Working with Images

    • ILLUSTRATOR - Preparing for Tracing

    • ILLUSTRATOR - Image Trace

    • ILLUSTRATOR - Image Brushes

    • Adobe Stock

    • PROJECT 3 : Web Banners - Introduction

    • PROJECT 3 : Web Banners - Assets

    • PROJECT 3 : Web Banners - Images and text

    • PROJECT 3 : Web Banners - Vector elements

    • PROJECT 3 : Web Banners - Main banner

    • PROJECT 3 : Web Banners - Mutations

    • PROJECT 3 : Web Banners- Frames

    • PROJECT 3 : Web Banners - Export options

    • Conclusion

    • Week 3 - Practice Briefs (for Pro Members)
  • 4

    Week 4 - Working with Type

    • Introduction

    • Why learn about type?

    • Typeface vs Font

    • Legibility

    • Readability

    • Picking Fonts

    • Differences and Similarities between applications

    • PHOTOSHOP - Creative Techniques with Text

    • PHOTOSHOP on the iPad - Image Inside Text

    • ILLUSTRATOR - Touch Type

    • ILLUSTRATOR - Type on a Path

    • ILLUSTRATOR - Type and Shapes

    • ILLUSTRATOR - Outline from Text

    • INDESIGN - Importing Text

    • INDESIGN - Text Frames

    • INDESIGN - Character formatting

    • INDESIGN - Character Styles

    • INDESIGN - Paragraph Styles

    • INDESIGN - Paragraph formatting

    • INDESIGN - Typography Rules

    • PROJECT 4 : Trifold Brochure Design - Introduction

    • PROJECT 4 : Trifold Brochure Design - Assets

    • PROJECT 4 : Trifold Brochure Design - INDESIGN - Creating a template

    • PROJECT 4 : Trifold Brochure Design - PHOTOSHOP - Preparing images

    • PROJECT 4 : Trifold Brochure Design - PHOTOSHOP - Composition for the front

    • PROJECT 4 : Trifold Brochure Design - ILLUSTRATOR - Triangles

    • PROJECT 4 : Trifold Brochure Design - INDESIGN - Adding images

    • PROJECT 4 : Trifold Brochure Design - INDESIGN - Adding and formatting text

    • PROJECT 4 : Trifold Brochure Design - INDESIGN - Prepare for print

    • Conclusion

    • Week 4 - Practice Briefs (for Pro Members)
  • 5

    Week 5 - Working with Shapes

    • Introduction

    • Essential Elements of Design - Vector Shapes

    • ILLUSTRATOR - Working with Objects

    • ILLUSTRATOR - Transformations

    • ILLUSTRATOR - Combining shapes

    • ILLUSTRATOR - Selection techniques

    • ILLUSTRATOR - Aligning and Distributing objects

    • ILLUSTRATOR - Working precisely

    • ILLUSTRATOR - Exercises

    • PHOTOSHOP - Vector Layers

    • PHOTOSHOP - Masking with Shapes

    • PHOTOSHOP - Mastering the Pen Tool

    • INDESIGN - Lines and Rules

    • INDESIGN - Shapes

    • PROJECT 5 : Identity Design - Introduction

    • PROJECT 5 : Identity Design - Assets

    • PROJECT 5 : Identity Design - ILLUSTRATOR Logo design

    • PROJECT 5 : Identity Design - ILLUSTRATOR Business Card design

    • PROJECT 5 : Identity Design - INDESIGN Data Merge

    • Conclusion

    • Week 5 - Practice Briefs (for Pro Members)
  • 6

    Week 6 - Color and Contrast

    • Introduction

    • Color Terms and Definitions

    • Color Modes

    • Swatches

    • Adobe Color

    • ILLUSTRATOR - Gradients

    • ILLUSTRATOR - Freeform Gradients

    • ILLUSTRATOR - Recolor Artwork

    • INDESIGN - Separations

    • INDESIGN - Transparency

    • Color & Contrast References

    • Color Harmonies

    • Meanings of Colors

    • Color Red

    • Perception of Color

    • Contrast in Graphic Design

    • Contrast in Popular Culture

    • PROJECT 6 : T-shirt Design -Introduction

    • PROJECT 6 : T-shirt Design - Assets

    • PROJECT 6 : T-shirt Design - Neon Portrait

    • PROJECT 6 : T-shirt Design - Circular Illustration

    • PROJECT 6 : T-shirt Design - Creating Mockups

    • Conclusion

    • Week 6 - Practice Briefs (for Pro Members)
  • 7

    Week 7 - Composition

    • Introduction

    • References

    • Visual Communication and Depth

    • Lines and Golden Ratio

    • Diagonals

    • Movement

    • Shapes and Framing

    • Grids

    • Silhouettes and Symbols

    • Symmetry and Balance

    • Negative Space

    • 10 Things to Remember to Use in Your Compositions

    • PHOTOSHOP - Combining Images and Text

    • ILLUSTRATOR - Improving Composition

    • INDESIGN - Align and Distribute

    • INDESIGN - Grids and Guides

    • INDESIGN - Master Pages

    • INDESIGN - Creative Layouts

    • PHOTOSHOP on the iPad - Creative Photo Montage

    • PROJECT 7: Editorial Design - Introduction

    • PROJECT 7: Editorial Design - Assets

    • PROJECT 7: Editorial Design - PHOTOSHOP - Mountains

    • PROJECT 7: Editorial Design - PHOTOSHOP - Drop Cap

    • PROJECT 7: Editorial Design - PHOTOSHOP - Out of bounds

    • PROJECT 7: Editorial Design - ILLUSTRATOR - Icons

    • PROJECT 7: Editorial Design - INDESIGN - Composition

    • PROJECT 7: Editorial Design - Mockup

    • Conclusion

    • Week 7 - Practice Briefs (for Pro Members)
  • 8

    Week 8 - Smart Workflows

    • Introduction

    • PHOTOSHOP - Smart Objects

    • PHOTOSHOP - Vector Smart Objects

    • PHOTOSHOP - Smart Objects Pro Tips

    • PHOTOSHOP - Adjustments Layers

    • PHOTOSHOP - Adjustments Pro Tips

    • PHOTOSHOP - Masking in Photoshop

    • ILLUSTRATOR - Masking in Illustrator

    • ILLUSTRATOR - Appearance Panel

    • ILLUSTRATOR - Appearance Panel Pro Tips

    • Interactions and Integrations

    • CC Libraries

    • PROJECT 8: Creative Retouching - Introduction

    • PROJECT 8: Creative Retouching - Assets

    • PROJECT 8: Creative Retouching - PHOTOSHOP - Adam and Eve

    • PROJECT 8: Creative Retouching - PHOTOSHOP - Other images

    • PROJECT 8: Creative Retouching - PHOTOSHOP - Composition

    • PROJECT 8: Creative Retouching - PHOTOSHOP - Refinements part 1

    • PROJECT 8: Creative Retouching - PHOTOSHOP - Refinements part 2

    • Conclusion

    • Week 8 - Practice Briefs (for Pro Members)
  • 9

    Week 9 - Drawing

    • Introduction

    • ILLUSTRATOR - Basic drawing tools

    • ILLUSTRATOR - Drawing exercise

    • ILLUSTRATOR - Coloring

    • ILLUSTRATOR - Drawing assistance tools

    • ILLUSTRATOR - Draw Inside

    • ILLUSTRATOR - Pen Tool

    • ILLUSTRATOR - Pen Tool Exercise

    • ILLUSTRATOR on the iPad - Pencil Tool

    • ILLUSTRATOR on the iPad - Pencil Shortcuts

    • ILLUSTRATOR on the iPad - Pencil Exercise

    • ILLUSTRATOR on the iPad - Pen Tool Basics

    • ILLUSTRATOR on the iPad - Pen Tool Shortcuts

    • ILLUSTRATOR on the iPad - Pen Exercise

    • PHOTOSHOP - Brush Tool Basics

    • PHOTOSHOP - Brush Smoothing

    • PHOTOSHOP - Custom Brushes

    • PHOTOSHOP - Symmetrical Painting

    • PHOTOSHOP on the iPad - Drawing from Reference

    • PROJECT 9 : Animal Illustrations - Introduction

    • PROJECT 9 : Animal Illustrations - Assets

    • PROJECT 9 : Animal Illustrations - Finding Your Style

    • PROJECT 9 : Animal Illustrations - Sloth illustration

    • PROJECT 9 : Animal Illustrations - Llama illustration

    • Conclusion

    • Week 9 - Practice Briefs (for Pro Members)
  • 10

    Week 10 - Specialisation Part 1

    • Introduction

    • Branding & Visual Identity - ILLUSTRATOR - Logo Design Best Practices

    • Branding & Visual Identity - Creating a Brand Guide

    • Illustration - ILLUSTRATOR - Mirror Repeat

    • Illustration - ILLUSTRATOR - Grid Repeat

    • Illustration - ILLUSTRATOR - Radial Repeat

    • Illustration - ILLUSTRATOR - Puppet Warp

    • Illustration - ILLUSTRATOR - Custom Brushes

    • Print Design - Magazine Layout

    • Print Design - Movie Posters Ranked

    • Print Design - Poster Design Contest Analysis

    • PROJECT 10 : Movie Poster Design - Introduction

    • PROJECT 10 : Movie Poster Design - Assets

    • PROJECT 10 : Movie Poster Design - Combining images

    • PROJECT 10 : Movie Poster Design - Adding golden ring

    • PROJECT 10 : Movie Poster Design - Shadows and highlights

    • PROJECT 10 : Movie Poster Design - Adding text

    • Conclusion

    • Week 10 - Practice Briefs (for Pro Members)
  • 11

    Week 11 - Specialisation Part 2

    • Introduction

    • UX/UI & Web Design - What is UXD?

      FREE PREVIEW

    • UX/UI & Web Design - Adobe XD - Creating Engaging Presentations

    • UX/UI & Web Design - Adobe XD and Webflow workflow

    • Retouching - PHOTOSHOP - Healing Brushes

    • Retouching - PHOTOSHOP - Clone Stamp Tool essentials

    • Retouching - PHOTOSHOP - Clone Stamp Tool advanced techniques

    • Retouching - PHOTOSHOP - Liquify and Puppet Warp

    • Retouching - PHOTOSHOP - Content-Aware Fill

    • Retouching - PHOTOSHOP - Neural Filters

    • Retouching - PHOTOSHOP - Sky Replacement and Select Sky

    • Retouching - PHOTOSHOP on the iPad - Landscape retouching

    • Retouching - PHOTOSHOP on the iPad - Restoration

    • Interior Design - PHOTOSHOP - Perspective Patterns

    • Interior Design - PHOTOSHOP - Chain of Smart Objects

    • PROJECT 11 : App and Web Design - Introduction

    • PROJECT 11 : App and Web Design - Assets

    • PROJECT 11 : App and Web Design - Welcome screen

    • PROJECT 11 : App and Web Design - Profile screen

    • PROJECT 11 : App and Web Design - Toggle interactions

    • PROJECT 11 : App and Web Design - Advice screens

    • PROJECT 11 : App and Web Design - Animations and interactions

    • PROJECT 11 : App and Web Design - Menus

    • PROJECT 11 : App and Web Design - Website

    • PROJECT 11 : App and Web Design - Sharing options

    • Conclusion

    • Week 11 - Practice Briefs (for Pro Members)
  • 12

    Week 12 - Your Career as a Designer

    • Introduction

    • How much can you earn as a Designer?

    • Freelancing vs Full time job

    • Where should you work?

    • Lifelong learning

    • Finding inspiration

    • Sharing your work

    • Internship

    • Creative CV

    • Applying for jobs and attending Interviews

    • Building Your Portfolio

    • Portfolio Best Practices

    • Selling Stock Assets

    • Crowdsourcing and Contests

    • PROJECT 12 : CV and Portfolio Design - Tips for getting started

    • PROJECT 12 : CV and Portfolio Design - References

    • Conclusion

    • Week 12 - Practice Briefs (for Pro Members)