Graphic design course

Students have a choice between evening classes (two evenings per week) or alternatively a double class on Saturday mornings.

WEEK 1:
Vector Image.
Course background- including short synopsis of the syllabus.
Objectives:
Launching your Corel Draw application
Understand layout of Corel Draw work space
Identify most common tools and toolbars
Saving and closing of a document
Creating a vector image in Corel Draw
Assignment 1: Word Play.

WEEK 2:
Fonts.
Objectives:
Customise your Desktop; Install Fonts
Understand font types and uses
Assignment 2: Create personal (favorite) font list in families with examples from font DVD, supplied by Visual Skills School.

WEEK 3:
Tracing.
Objectives:
Understand the difference between a bitmap / rastar image and a vector
Understand layout of Photo Paint application
Identify most common tools and toolbars
Scanning a bitmap directly into Photo Paint
Creating vector images in Corel Draw
Importing a bitmap into Corel Draw
Assignment 3: Tracing a logo.

WEEK 4:
Photo Paint.
Objectives:
Editing and improving quality of scans
Creating objects by using masks
Editing new objects
Creating a new document in Photo Paint
Transferring images from one document into another
Assignment 4: Multi imaging (Combine a landscape, an object and a living organism)

WEEK 5:
Composition.
Award winning Power Point instruction on composition for graphic art and photography students with more than a 100 propositions.
Objectives: Sound Knowledge of:
Composition; Colour values; Layout; Principles of design.
WEEK 6:
Colour models
Objectives:
Difference between main colour models: - CMYK - RGB Spot; Creating duo tone designs
Assignment 6a: HOT - Design a book cover
Assignment 6b: COLD - Design a CD cover (One of these designs must be a duotone design)
Revision and completion of assignments.

WEEK 7:
Corporate Identity.
Objectives:
Designing a logo; Standard CI sizes
View Menu; Editing guidelines; Embedding fonts
CorelDRAW versions
Assignment 4: Corporate identity: Logo design (Letterhead, follow-up, business card, comp slip, etc)

WEEK 8:
File Types.
Objectives:
Definitions of file types and / or extensions
Understand importance and relevance of using different file types; Define bleed
Designing a Brochure; Designing an Advertisement
Copywriting: Writing text for advertisements, brochures, etc.
Plagiarism and The Copyright Act of South Africa : Legal implications
Assignment 5: CD Cover - Hot & Cold

WEEK 9:
Printing and Printing Processes.
Printing Processes: Digital versus litho printing; bleed, sizes, folding, etc; Die cutting, embossing, foiling, etc. Packaging.
Objectives:
Printing processes; How to set up a print file
CorelDraw menu items
Assignment 6: Design package, die cut and insert bar code.

WEEK 10:
Photo Retouch
Objectives:
Revision of Photo Paint
Using the clone tool
Familiarise yourself with the Object Docker window
Assignment 7: Use old damaged photo, scan and retouch.
Revision and completion of assignments.

GENERAL INFORMATION:
Duration of Study:
10 Weeks, 2 evenings per week from 18h00 until about 20h30.
VSS is flexible regarding times as needs arise.

Course dates:
Corresponds roughly to school terms. Please check the website.

Admission:
Matric certificate (or equivalent)
Computer Literacy

Fees:
R4 900.00 includes the Computer Graphic Design Handbook and DVD's with fonts, graphic images, royalty free photos and shareware programs.

Facilities:
A computer is assigned, in the classroom, to each student at the beginning of the course for the duration of the course. The course is presented by a lecturer who demonstrates each application and individually assists each student during classes.

Equipment:
USB Memory Stick
Minimum computer specs for homework:
Pentium 4; 80 Gb HDD;
256 Mb display adapter;
4 Gb RAM;
DVD RW
Software:
Corel Draw X5
(Students can buy the student version of Corel Draw X5 from VSS at reasonable rates)
Internet access

Registration:
Completed registration form and proof of payment of registration fee will secure your place on a course. Registration must take place at least a week prior to commencement of the course.

Evaluation:
Assignments form the basis of students' portfolios and are exhibited at the end of the course for evaluation by a panel of assessors. Successful students receive a Certificate in Computer Graphic Design.

Date: 23 January 2012 to 30 March 2012
Venue: Visual Skills School, Pretoria

Date: 28 January 2012 to 30 March 2012
Venue: Visual Skills School, Pretoria