Spanish-American Institute

900 IBM Computer Graphics 80 classes

Prerequisite(s): None

Textbooks: Lisa A. Bucki, Learning Adobe Photoshop 6, DDC Publishing, 2001 (or comparable text).

Course Description: While developing English language skills, this course introduces students to web page development concepts, features, functions, and applications using Adobe PhotoShop.

Objectives: By the end of the course, students should be able:

• to read about graphics software and Photoshop and understand what is written;
• to read and follow directions when practicing textbook exercises and ask questions in English concerning concepts and implementation;
• to read documents and descriptions of situations and decide how to use Photoshop applications to design, develop, and customize image files;
• to write simple explanations of procedures used or results obtained;
• to explain the design and content of Photoshop presentations;
• to understand the basics of creating Photoshop images from sources;
• to understand how Photoshop can be applied to real world situations; and
• to understand how to customize Photoshop and use other Photoshop features.

Instructional Methods: Classes include language development and critical thinking sessions followed by hands-on practice and drills. Students complete periodic summary exercises that require application of all skills learned to date. Each student creates a portfolio of finished output.

Grading: The final grade is based on the following:

Class Participation	25%
Assignments	40%
Projects	10%
Exams	25%
Total	100%

The grading scale is: A=90-100%, B+=85-89%, B=80-84%, C+=75-79%, C=70-74%, D=65-69%, F=60-64%

Course Outline: PS=Photoshop

Week	Topics	Assignments and Tests
1	Mapping the text and course: introduction to the course and the book, including learning aids. Direction words Basics: introduction to PS; the PS screen, menus, toolbars, and commands; using help features; reviewing Adobe Online. Using ordinals as transition words in directions	Write at least five complete sentences beginning with direction words for PS. Read Chapter 1 and follow the directions for touring the work area. Exercise: 1. Turn any list of 4 or more sequential directions in the text into a paragraph, using ordinals
2	Working with image files; storing images digitally; creating a new file, importing a scanner or digital camera image, adding file information. Using other transition words in directions	Read Chapter 2 and follow the directions for working with image files. Exercise: 2. Turn 4 or more sequential directions into a paragraph, using some or all of the following transition words: first, next, then, after, last. In a paragraph or more, describe how to use transparent background and describe its effect.
3	Adding content with Tools: choosing tools, setting options, painting, drawing, adding text, etc. Oral presentation: describe one Tool and its use.	Read Chapter 3 and follow the directions for adding content with Tools. Exercise: 3 Describe two Tools and how to use them in PS.
4	Working with the Image View: zooming, viewing pixel or print size, scrolling, moving around with Hand tool and Navigator. Selecting image content: selecting shapes and colors. Oral practice: what you did in either exercise 4 or 5. .	Read Chapter 4 and follow the directions for working with the Image View. Exercise: 4. Read Chapter 5 and follow the directions for selecting image content. Exercise: 5.
5	Changing a selection: transforming or rotating a selection, fine-tuning selection marquee, working with the History palette. Using positioning tools: displaying a grid and rulers; snapping a selection to a guide or grid; adding custom alignment guides. Oral practice: what you did in either exercise 6 or 7.	Read Chapter 6 and follow the directions for changing a selection. Exercise: 6. Read Chapter 7 and follow the directions for using positioning tools. Exercise: 7.
6	Working with layers: creating, selecting, changing, arranging, and merging layers.	Read Chapter 8 and follow the directions for working in layers. Exercise 8. Write a paragraph or more explaining what layers do in PS and you used them.
7	Adding variety with masks: setting options, working in Quick Mask, creasing and using a layer mask. Using paths: creating, viewing, and working with paths.	Read Chapter 9 and follow the directions for adding variety with masks. Exercise: 9. Read Chapter 10 and follow the directions for using paths. Exercise: 10.
8	Using other editing tools: adding blurring or smudging; sharpening; erasing color; adding fill; dodging, burning, or sponging an area. Review for exam	Read Chapter 11 and follow the directions for using other editing tools. Exercise: 11 Bi-monthly Exam
9	Working with image size and orientation: cropping, resizing, adjusting the canvas, rotating the canvas, and trimming the edges of an image. Using a filter: applying and adjusting the filter.	Read Chapter 12 and follow the directions for working with image size and orientation. Exercise: 12. Read Chapter 13 and follow the directions for using a filter. Exercise: 13.
10	Printing your image: using transfer settings to correct color; adding a border, bleed, or background; printing with special marks and features, etc. Oral presentation: describe one way that Photoshop and Word print features differ.	Read Chapter 14 and follow the directions for printing your images. Exercise: 14. Explain at least two ways that the print features of Photoshop differ from those in Word.
11	Understanding colors and channels: calibrating your monitor; converting an image to another color, proofing image color. Oral discussion: how you will use PS in the future.	Read Chapter 15 and follow the directions for touring the work area. Exercise: 15. Write a letter to a friend who does not use PS explaining what you can do in PS and how you think you will use PS in the future.
12	Correcting image color: adjusting tones, rebalancing color, changing brightness and contrast, etc. Having fun with color: adding spot color, making a duotone print; converting to sepia.	Read Chapter 16 and follow the directions for correcting image color. Exercise: 16. Read Chapter 17 and follow the directions for having fun with color. Exercise: 17. Explain how you had fun with color when working on chapter 17.
13	Working with plug-ins: installing and using a plug-in. Oral presentation: make a short oral presentation about the PS project you have found most interesting to date.	Read Chapter 18 and follow the directions for working with plug-ins. Exercise: 18. Describe an interesting PS project to date.
14	Working with actions: recording and playing an action; making and using a droplet. Digital watermark protection. Close reading and discussion: watermark protection and other intellectual property rights.	Read Chapter 19 and follow the directions for working with actions. Exercise: 19. Read appendix A, p. 315. Write a paragraph or more defining intellectual property rights and what digital watermark protection does.
15	Creating Web images: reviewing Web graphic formats, converting an image to indexed color, and creating optimized JMEP and GIF images. Oral presentation: describe one on-line resource from the research and writing assignment.	Read Chapter 20 and follow the directions for creating Web images. Exercise: 20. Visit at least two on-line resources to learn more about PS and write a short explanation about the information they contain.
16	Adding hotspots: adding and working with slices and saving a sliced image in HTML format. Prepare for exam.	Read Chapter 21 and follow the directions for touring the work area. Exercise: 21. Exam.

rev. 4/02, 2/07