Fundamental graphic design techniques are necessary for production of projects for both the print media and multimedia/webpage design. The course includes both lecture time and lab time in areas of design elements and principles, typography, colour, page layout, corporate identities, advertisement, and brochure production. All design areas will be related to both print and multimedia/webpage production. This is NOT a computer-based course.

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.

Good media design depends equally on two essential components: effective technological design, which provides an architecture which allows it to function optimally, and communication design (graphic design), which applies the principles of visual communication to creative concepts in order to transmit content effectively. This course will address only issues relating to communication design. We will discuss concept development and the principles of composition and layout (the organization of visual elements) in relation to both print and web design. The emphasis of this introductory course will be in the development of and application of skills through analysis and hands-on projects and exercises. Course content: (1) Brief presentations will introduce principles and concepts and their application.(2) Technical and conceptual skills will be developed through projects and exercises, which will be done both in class and as homework. The use of computers will be permitted only on projects and/or project components as specified; not all coursework will be digital. (3) Students will analyze and evaluate design work through group critiques and individual written and verbal deconstruction of designs. Instructor feedback will be given during group and/or individual. (4) Information regarding periodicals, trade publications and other resources will be presented so that students can continue their studies in this discipline. Prerequisites: MDIA 1049

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

Students will be shown examples of good and bad typography and will be encouraged to view everyday print with a more discerning eye. The derivation and development of letterforms since the invention of movable type will lead to an appreciation of font suitability to subject and medium. Fonts will be deconstructed to show the working components. Rules and conventions will be discussed so that students can compose balanced documents. Pica measurement will be used in document construction. InDesign preferences will be dissected to show their dramatic impact on typography. Exercises will be undertaken in various typographic modes to exhibit control of aesthetics and meet the expectations of design studios. Display exercises will show the impact of optical and metric kerning. Prerequisites: MDIA 1049 and MDIA 2049

Digital Darkroom and colour correction covers the fundamentals of digital images acquired from scanning or digital cameras and correcting them. The focus of this course is on optimizing images and the colour correction process within Adobe Photoshop. Topics include colour theory as it relates to digital images, scanning, resolution, digital image formats, and the colour correction process, & CMYK conversion. The course will be provided in a lecture/lab format with in-class exercises providing hands-on experience. This course is equivalent to and replaces MDIA 1111. Prerequisites: MDIA 1170

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

Graphic designers apply principles of visual communication to express their client's message, but must also work within the context of business strategy and goals in order to be fully successful. This course will examine how design can support and reinforce the business goals of a client through an in-depth exploration of some critical components of design process: research, concept development, analysis and evaluation. Standard business practices and working effectively with clients will also be discussed. Course content: (1) Brief presentations and exercises will introduce principles, concepts and their application. (2) Students will explore principles, concepts and techniques through comprehensive development of one major project. (3) Students will analyze and evaluate work through discussion, critiques, and verbal and written presentations. (4) Information on resources for further studies will be provided. Prerequisites: MDIA 1040 and MDIA 1105 and MDIA 1160 and MDIA 1180 and MDIA 1049

During this course students will design and create a series of tightly defined documents for presentation to prospective employers. Students will prepare an effective medium to assist in furthering their careers by creating documents professionally while using the Adobe Creative Suite including InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop and Acrobat. The instructor will provide guidance regarding the portfolio content. All students will produce a print portfolio as well as a pdf electronic portfolio. This course is recommended to be the last course in the certificate. Prerequisites: MDIA 1040 and (MDIA 1049 and MDIA 2049) and MDIA 1140 and MDIA 1105 and MDIA 1900 and (MDIA 1180 or MDIA 1170) and (MDIA 2180 or MDIA 2270) and MDIA 2012 and MDIA 1144 and (MDIA 1025 or MDIA 1026) and (MDIA 1160 or MDIA 1260) and (MDIA 2260 or MDIA 2261) and MDIA 2088

In this course students convert documents to PDF format, to bridge the gap between paper and digital workflow. This includes converting small volumes of paper documents to searchable Adobe PDF files and to e-mail graphics files that were previously too large, and modifying PDF's to include advance functions such as high level security, video/audio files and electronic forms. Students also prepare files for professional print, through to posting PDF files on the web for online distribution.

This course teaches students how to convert any document to PDF format, to bridge the gap between paper and digital workflow. Learn to convert small volumes of paper documents to searchable Adobe PDF files and to e-mail graphics files that were previously too large. Modify your PDF to include advance functions such as high level security, video/audio files and electronic forms. The course focuses on preparing files for professional print, through to posting PDF files on the web for online distribution.

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.

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