Introduction to Mac OS is a hands-on introduction to the current Mac OS. Students will learn how to make a smooth transition from the Windows environment to the Mac environment. Students will learn how to manipulate Preferences to customize their experience, make the most of digital media, and streamline the workflow. Students will learn to work with files and folders and the integrated features of the OS including working with Photos, Messages, and Notifications, and getting acquainted with Mission Control, the App Store, and Siri.

In this course students will the key concepts of digital marketing. The course will explore the importance of branding, audience reach and demographics in the marketing strategies. Students will learn how to utilize analytics and the importance of goals as part of the marketing processes. The course will explore the importance of domain names, keywords and how to leverage Search Engine Optimization strategies. Pay-per-click, online marketing, email marketing, and budgeting are also discussed within the context of this course.

This course begins with covering the key techniques for working with Photoshop. Students will learn the key elements of the Photoshop interface, and how the tools and features of this popular software can be used to edit images. Students will learn to use precise selection control to correct a wide range of lens-based errors, interactively transform their images with a variety of tools, effects and filters. With a focus on the key features and tools of Photoshop, students will work with layers, masks, channels, brushes and vector drawing techniques to prepare images for both Web and print production. The course then moves on to more detailed advanced features of Photoshop including raster based painting for illustrations, 3-D, video and animation techniques, colour controls, etc. Students will also learn to use the techniques for designing with advanced layering and image compositing techniques, working with actions scripts, batch processes and other time saving options.

This course presents Illustrator as an industry standard tool for the production of professional quality illustrations such as technical illustrations, mapping, illustrating from photographic reference, and colourizing bitmapped images. After learning the functionality and techniques to produce basic professional quality illustrations, students move on to explore the more advanced features of Illustrator by completing a series of advanced assignments. Students will gain an advanced understanding of the tool set, so that they may solve more difficult design problems. Painting and Effects will be explored in detail. Projects will require a more sophisticated use of Illustrator techniques with a greater focus on finished quality and pre-press.

This course begins by exploring the basic functionality and techniques for working with Adobe InDesign CC. Students will learn about the InDesign work area, its key tools and features and how they are used to create powerful print and interactive layouts and designs. Students will work with object selections, multiple page sizes, tracking text changes, creating new layers, enhance productions, and work with InDesign’s print and digital capabilities. The course then focuses on the use of InDesign in product packaging and publication design with an overall theme of type and typography. The course concludes by providing students a comprehensive overview and review of all of InDesign’s capabilities which are brought together in a more controlled and thoughtful manner to create rich interactive documents.

This course is the foundation of all studies for web based products and applications, introducing students to principal concepts used in web development. Emphasis is placed on mastering HTML5 and CSS3. Students will learn to produce well-formed, hand-coded web pages, using the features of HTML5 and CSS3. Students will start by learning how to prepare for creating a Web site and use the basics components of HTML5 to design the fundamental layout and design. Students will then learn to add links, images and other resources to the Web site and organize the Web site contents into user-friendly layouts by applying advanced CSS styling. Next, you will learn how to enhance your Web site by creating and processing Web forms, incorporating audio/video components, integrating social media tools and add some basic functionality using basic JavaScript programming.

The course introduces students to the rapid prototype and web site
authoring tool Dreamweaver, allowing them to quickly produce
interactive web pages and sites. The emphasis of this course is to
use the features and tools of the authoring software to build
professional grade site architecture, structure, and content. Topical
coverage includes:

• Advantages and disadvantages of web site authoring software
• tools and features
• Principles of effective layout
• Fundamentals of Cascading Style Sheets
• Incorporating Images and graphics
• Working with templates
• Adding navigation
• Dynamic and interactive content
• Fundamental Behaviours and Commands
• Uploading to server

In this course students will learn the key features, tools and
techniques for working in Premiere Pro CC. In the first part of the
course, students will learn the basics of using audio, creating
transitions, producing titles, and adding effects. The course will then
explore the more advanced features such as sweetening and mixing
sound, compositing the footage, adjusting color and, authoring
DVDs. The students will also learn to take projects from script all the
way to the screen using a variety Adobe tools such as Ultra, Adobe
Story, OnLocation, Speech Search. Topical coverage includes:

• The Premiere Pro work area
• Managing assets
• Importing media
• Capturing video assets from tape
• Cuts only videos
• Working with video transitions
• Specialized editing tools
• Working with Video effects
• Acquiring, editing and sweetening audio
• Compositing techniques
• Integrating other Adobe tools
• Authoring DVD’s

All Graphic Design is driven by marketing, that is, companies produce print and web-based materials to maintain and enhance their positioning and profitability. In this course, students will begin to explore how effective design successfully combines creativity, marketing principles and strategies, design principles, audience awareness, typography, illustration, photography, colour theory, words and presentation for the purpose of informing, persuading and/or instructing an audience. This course will allow the students to start integrating design, colour and layout principles through the production of a variety of individual and group projects that will focus on design and layout.

In this course, students begin to integrate the design theory and principles they have learned in the previous courses, allowing them to work at a higher level of creativity and production. Students merge their creative, technical and design abilities to analyze, design and produce a number of pieces that will showcase their creativity and apply their technical skills to meet the requirements of their projects. Students will be free to use all of the technical resources at their disposal, however the project requirements in this course will require an extended use of Photoshop and Illustrator skills to complete.

In this course, students continue to integrate the design theory and principles while working on increasingly complex design productions. Design is an iterative process and the students work closely with their instructor to improve on the overall effectiveness of their designs. Students will be provided with more advanced project requirements that will allow them further develop their creative, technical and design abilities to meet the increasingly higher demands of their projects. The project requirements in this course will require an extended use of Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign skills to complete.

This is the third of three integration level courses where students work in tandem with the instructors to continue to integrate the design theory and principles while working on producing pieces that highlight their creative, marketing, technical and design abilities. Students will select and produce a number of pieces that will allow them to demonstrate their abilities to not only use their technical and design skills but also to demonstrate their ability to work efficiently, effectively and to respect the project timelines. Although students will need to use many of the technical resources at their disposal, the project requirements in this course will require an extended use of InDesign, HTML/Dreamweaver and Premiere Pro skills to complete.

This course is aimed at preparing the students’ transition to the professional world, allowing the student to place the final polishing touches on their portfolio work. All portfolio components should demonstrate the student’s mastery of the programs core competencies while highlighting the uniqueness of their work. Selected pieces should reflect a standard of quality evidenced by additional time spent polishing applied skills. Students will be required to complete their portfolio presentation and marketing collateral by creating a personal website showcasing their completed work.

This course builds on the skills learned in the Student Success Strategies course or its equivalent. It provides information on how to use the communication skills learned in order to make a successful presentation to a prospective employer. Students also learn how to uncover the hidden job market and identifyemployment opportunities. Self-assessment during this course allows students to identify their personal skills that are transferable to the work place and to describe these skills to a prospective employer. Students may be videotaped during a mock interview and will participate in the analysis of their performance in the “interview”.