Overview
This five-day masterclass covers all of the most commonly used features of the three main products in the Adobe suite - Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign - used to produce printed documents. Whether the aim is to produce flyers, adverts, brochures or tender documents then this course teaches all of the key skills required.
The course will be taught using the Adobe Creative Suite (CS6), but is suitable for those using CS5, CS6 or Creative Cloud.
Prerequisites
- Attendees do not need any prior experience of the products as anything that is required will be covered by the course.
- Delegates should have basic computer skills and know how to launch applications, browse in order to locate files, and have good keyboard and mouse skills.
Dual monitor setup is required for when attending this course via the QA Attend from Anywhere delivery method.
Learning Outcomes
- Navigate around the products' environments
- Understand resolution and colour modes
- Use Photoshop to prepare images, including working with selections, layers and retouching of images
- Use Illustrator to create vector artwork, including working with and formatting paths
- Use InDesign to create publications, including working with text, styles and graphical objects
- Output content from all three products in formats best suited for their intended audiences
Course Outline
Module 1 - Introducing the Suite
- The applications and interfaces
- Zooming and navigating
- Introducing image types and resolution
Adobe Photoshop
Module 2 - Introducing Photoshop
- Creating a new document
- Image resolution
- Rotating and cropping images
Module 3 - Selections
- The Marquee tools
- The Lasso tools
- The Quick Selection tools
- Color Range
- Refining a selection
- Saving and loading selections
Module 4 - Introducing layers
- Combining images using layers
- Creating and managing layers
- The Eraser tools
- Transforming layers
- Common adjustments
Module 5 - Taking layers further
- Layer styles
- Blending modes
- Working with Adjustment layers
- The Type Tool
Module 6 - Retouching tools
- The Spot Healing Brush Tool
- The Patch Tool
- Content-Aware Fill
- Content-Aware Move
Module 7 - Working with History
- History basics
- Configuring History
- The History panel
- The History Brush
Module 8 - Filters
- The Filter Gallery
- Gaussian Blur
- Sharpening
Module 9 - Outputting from Photoshop
- Colour modes
- Exporting other file types
Adobe Illustrator
Module 10 - Introducing Illustrator
- Vector graphics versus raster graphics
- Creating a new document
- Managing artboards
Module 11 - Basic shapes
- Illustrator terminology
- Drawing simple lines and shapes
- Modifying paths
Module 12 - Formatting paths
- Working with colour
- Fill
- Stroke
Module 13 - The Pen Tool
- Creating simple line paths
- Creating curved paths
- Combining straight and curved paths
- Modifying paths
Module 14 - Working with text
- The Type Tool
- Formatting type
- The Area Type Tool
- The Type on a Path Tool
Module 15 - Using layers
- Working with layers
- Managing layers
Module 16 - Outputting from Illustrator
- Outputting from Illustrator
- Adobe Swatch Exchange
- Exporting artwork from Illustrator
Adobe InDesign
Module 17 - Introducing InDesign
- Creating a new document
- The newly-created page
- Guides
- Working with frames
Module 18 - Working with type
- The Type Tool
- Importing text
- Linking text frames
- Character formatting
- Common paragraph formats
- Using Notes
- Creating simple tables
- Other useful text options
- Special characters and symbols
Module 19 - Working with styles
- An introduction to styles
- The styles panels
- Creating styles
- Applying styles
- Editing and managing styles
- Overrides
Module 20 - Working with graphics
- Importing images
- Scaling and moving
- Text wrapping options
Module 21 - Working with multiple frames
- Grouping, aligning and distributing objects
- Stacking objects
- Converting shapes
- Transforming objects
- Layers
Module 22 - Working with colour
- Working with colours
- Creating tints and gradients
Module 23 - Preparing a document for output
- Resolving errors in a document
- Printing a document
- Exporting files for printing
- Packaging a document
- Exporting a file in another format
Certification/Exams
This will provide delegates with most skills required to sit the Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) exams in the respective applications, and will serve as a good grounding for those who wish to work towards the Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) exams
When delivered in a QA training centre, this course will be delivered using PCs. Events can be delivered on Apple Macs by request.
Frequently asked questions
How can I create an account on myQA.com?
There are a number of ways to create an account. If you are a self-funder, simply select the "Create account" option on the login page.
If you have been booked onto a course by your company, you will receive a confirmation email. From this email, select "Sign into myQA" and you will be taken to the "Create account" page. Complete all of the details and select "Create account".
If you have the booking number you can also go here and select the "I have a booking number" option. Enter the booking reference and your surname. If the details match, you will be taken to the "Create account" page from where you can enter your details and confirm your account.
Find more answers to frequently asked questions in our FAQs: Bookings & Cancellations page.
How do QA’s virtual classroom courses work?
Our virtual classroom courses allow you to access award-winning classroom training, without leaving your home or office. Our learning professionals are specially trained on how to interact with remote attendees and our remote labs ensure all participants can take part in hands-on exercises wherever they are.
We use the WebEx video conferencing platform by Cisco. Before you book, check that you meet the WebEx system requirements and run a test meeting (more details in the link below) to ensure the software is compatible with your firewall settings. If it doesn’t work, try adjusting your settings or contact your IT department about permitting the website.
How do QA’s online courses work?
QA online courses, also commonly known as distance learning courses or elearning courses, take the form of interactive software designed for individual learning, but you will also have access to full support from our subject-matter experts for the duration of your course. When you book a QA online learning course you will receive immediate access to it through our e-learning platform and you can start to learn straight away, from any compatible device. Access to the online learning platform is valid for one year from the booking date.
All courses are built around case studies and presented in an engaging format, which includes storytelling elements, video, audio and humour. Every case study is supported by sample documents and a collection of Knowledge Nuggets that provide more in-depth detail on the wider processes.
When will I receive my joining instructions?
Joining instructions for QA courses are sent two weeks prior to the course start date, or immediately if the booking is confirmed within this timeframe. For course bookings made via QA but delivered by a third-party supplier, joining instructions are sent to attendees prior to the training course, but timescales vary depending on each supplier’s terms. Read more FAQs.
When will I receive my certificate?
Certificates of Achievement are issued at the end the course, either as a hard copy or via email. Read more here.