Students will learn the benefits of using Adobe?s Portable Document Format (PDF) File format. Using Adobe Acrobat, students will create a variety of different print-ready PDF files, utilize the built-in suite of editing tools, as well as add a number of other interactive, and review cycle features.

This course covers the strategies and procedures to check customer generated prepress files, and recognize issues that will cause problems and delays later on in the production cycle. Focusing mostly on portable document format (PDF) based prepress workflows, students will be able to troubleshoot and fix common mistakes found in customer supplied files

This course introduces the mechanisms and protocols of electronic prepress production through the workflow applications 'Prinergy' and 'Preps'. Students will have an opportunity to process a project from input through to plate ready status, and will progress from setting up basic imposition workflows, to creating more complex, multi page jobs.

This course is an introduction to the opportunities presented by online connectivity in the printing industry, and how it applies to the prepress department. It will prepare the student to incorporate online tools into a prepress workflow, and understand the different tools available. Emphasis will be placed on developing process improvements that benefit both the customer and the printing company.

Adobe InDesign is a state-of-the-art design and page layout program which has a comprehensive set of production tools available for publishing professionals to use. The course teaches comprehensive typographical and composition tools which offer unprecedented precision for styling text. InDesign integrates tightly with Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop and maintains complete control with layers.

Colour is one of the most crucial elements of design. This course introduces the principles of colour and light in relation to psychology, physics, design and communication. It also explores the additive primaries (red, blue and green), the subtractive primaries (cyan, magenta, yellow). Hands-on exercises will lead to an understanding of the use of hue, saturation, value, tint and shade, contrast and harmony. The students will be learning how to visually and psychologically use colour to convey a message effectively to various target audiences. Use of Adobe software will assist students in understanding the application of colour techniques on practical projects and exercises for both print and web. In addition, the Pantone Matching System to accurately produce colour for various reproduction methods will be explored in the various Adobe software. The sessions will also help the students comprehend and analyse how others solve visual colour problems in an effective manner so they can themselves be inspired to make unique and outstanding use of colour.

This course is a user practical approach to real world colour management implementation from monitors, and proofing to simulate a printing process in graphic arts. Students will learn basic overview of colour theory and apply industry standard measuring devices for creation of monitor and printer profiles as well as key procedures to maintain process control. Prerequisites: MDIA 1170 or MDIA 1180

This course covers the preparation of print files using InDesign's advanced features. The course will be centered around creating documents for professional printing and publication. Students will be able to develop and produce high quality multiple page layouts incorporating a variety of InDesign's array of tools. Prerequisites: MDIA 1049

The course covers the basics of prepress and printing processes and technologies. Students will prepare and supply files to print providers, and examine production workflows and a designer’s relationship with the printer and the printer’s expectations. They will explore the basics of image files, trapping, inks, screening techniques, imposition, paper & binding styles, postscript and pdf. In addition, color correction & separation, the use of spot colors, double hits, varnish and process colors will be discussed. The students will tour at least one print & prepress shop and hear about latest trends in the industry. Working with PDF files and their role and advantages will be explained. Students will work on various projects and will be able to bring and discuss projects from their work to class. Prerequisites: MDIA 1150 or MDIA 1049

This course teaches students how to create and edit digital images. Students will learn the purpose of the various tools in the toolbox, work with layers and blending modes to create depth and transparency, how to retouch photos, select and recolor areas of an image, as well as create interesting type. Students will gain knowledge of image size, pixel depth and resolution while focusing on selection techniques with various selection and drawing tools. Difference between raster and vector imaging is explained in detail, as well as use of filters, channels and paths. Students have their own workstations.

This course covers a range of advanced Photoshop techniques that teaches students to create and produce high quality digital images for web or print. Students will learn how to look at color models, measure RGB and CMYK color, adjust midtones, shadows and highlights and perform precise color corrections; Students will also practice adjusting color and tonal balance of images and retouching. Students will learn how to create composite images using layers options and ‘smart objects’, as well as simple animation that can be outputted for web or video. Photoshop’s automated functions, batch processing and actions scripts, and Camera raw are covered in this course as well. Prerequisites: MDIA 1180

This course teaches students how to create and edit digital images. Students will learn the purpose of the various tools in the toolbox, work with layers and blending modes to create depth and transparency, how to retouch photos, select and recolor areas of an image, as well as create interesting type. Students will gain knowledge of image size, pixel depth and resolution while focusing on selection techniques with various selection and drawing tools. Difference between raster and vector imaging is explained in detail, as well as use of filters, channels and paths. Students have their own workstations

This course covers a range of advanced Photoshop techniques that teaches students to create and produce high quality digital images for web or print. Students will learn how to look at color models, measure RGB and CMYK color, adjust midtones, shadows and highlights and perform precise color corrections; Students will also practice adjusting color and tonal balance of images and retouching. Students will learn how to create composite images using layers options and ‘smart objects’, as well as simple animation that can be outputted for web or video. Photoshop’s automated functions, batch processing and actions scripts, and Camera raw are covered in this course as well. Prerequisites: MDIA 1170

This course begins by examining different toolbox tools, view artwork in different modes, edit artwork, use ruler guides, work with layers, paint objects, apply custom colors and gradient fills and use the pen tool. Draw straight lines and curves, convert points, and use primitives to create basic shapes. Work with type, change type attributes, import text and link text blocks, wrap text around an object, and more.

Building upon the basic skills learned in level 1, this course introduces the student to a series of advanced tools, some of which are new to this version of the software. Starting with the brush tool and symbol palette we learn how to give our artwork a more natural appeal. Combining methods of opacity, blending and the powerful gradient tool, we create more realism in our artwork. We also spend sometime intergrating other adobe software files formats such as Photoshop and learn how to prepare our graphics for print vs. the web. Prerequisites: MDIA 1160

This course begins by examining different toolbox tools, view artwork in different modes, edit artwork, use ruler guides, work with layers, paint objects, apply custom colors and gradient fills and use the pen tool. Draw straight lines and curves, convert points, and use primitives to create basic shapes. Work with type, change type attributes, import text and link text blocks, wrap text around an object, and more.

Builds on skills learned in MDIA 1260. This course enables you to work with advanced techniques such as multiple masks, airbrush effects, multiple layers and paths, custom views and special type effects.