Photoshop is the premier tool for graphic designers. This 100% online course prepares students to produce professional-quality digital and print graphic designs. Key topics include rules and standards for visual communication, design theory and practical applications of Photoshop tools.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that graphic designers earn around $25.05 per hour or $52,110.00 per year.
Because it involves digital tools that can be used online, graphic design skills transfer well to in-office or remote work settings and freelance, contract, or employee work status.
Photoshop skills are considered especially valuable because they cover a wide range of project requirements. Photoshop designers can expect to work on projects across the domain of graphic design, from photography to typography to creating original designs.
According to Adobe, the company behind Photoshop, their customers use Photoshop for an almost unlimited variety of 2D and 3D design projects. Common tasks include photo and video editing, manipulation and compositing, logo design, typography, and print layouts along with an array of business applications like document design for letterhead and business cards.
Photoshop skills are among the most widely-cited qualifications for entry-level graphics design jobs. They are also valuable for freelance graphics design projects.
Along with general graphic design skills, Photoshop is most commonly used for website design, photography, internet marketing and infographics and user interaction (UI) and user experience (UX) design.
A well-designed online course provides organization, stimulation, and discipline that greatly enhances a student's opportunity to learn skills and techniques quickly and correctly. Solid online courses can also provide the basis for building a portfolio of work for employers and clients.
There are no perquisites to take this course.
Learn how to communicate effectively with a current or prospective client. Understand your needs and questions to ask before embarking on a new project, including what is the client trying to promote and who is the target audience?
Begin learning the basics of design. This section of the course will cover how to effectively create a logo, submit proofs, and collaborate with a client.
Next, understand design, layout, and color fundamentals. Learn how to define the project's style and tone, create an effective layout, and how to choose the right colors.
Explore the role of type in graphic design. Begin to be able to identify font characters and choose the right font for headings and body text. Lastly, you'll work with creating and placing blocks of text.
Dive into the world of Photoshop. Build a foundation of knowledge regarding opening photos, resizing and cropping images, using retouching tools, creating a composite image, and adjusting tone, color, and contrast.
Put your new skills to use by creating a brochure from scratch. You’ll layout the brochure’s panels, choose fonts and colors, and fine tune your design for visual impact.
Design a print ad that conveys information through a compelling imagery and text.
Apply your graphic design skills to a web-specific design. You’ll also learn how to create effective creative for social media and web user experience.
Discover how to create effective assets for email marketing campaigns.
Complete the course by creating a complete marketing package. As the class concludes, you'll learn about production methods, website options, and how to create camera-ready art for print.
Laurie Ulrich is an accomplished graphic design professional, teacher and author. Her firm provides graphic design, training, marketing and web development services to a global client base. She is the author of over 30 books including Access 2016 for Dummies. She is an expert on brand-building through outreach, promotion and education.
Randy Rolen is a professional graphics designer with over 30 years of experience. He has served as Senior Graphics Designer for high tech companies and has operated his own graphics design firm since 1993. He specialized in web-based design, including websites and banner advertising. He has been teaching online since 2002.
This course is 100% online. Start any time.
