There are two main areas of learning in Computer Graphic Design. The first is technical and involves learning three applications: Adobe Photoshop (an image editing program), Adobe Illustrator (a design program), and Adobe InDesign (a page layout program). These applications are used across a wide field of disciplines and interests, and knowledge of them will help you with just about anything you want to do. Think of these applications as a word processor in which you can precisely design the way your creation looks (just try to design using Microsoft Word -it is like having ten thumbs). Even if you only use InDesign for laying out your resume, the time learning it will be well spent.

In CGD you will learn some of the technical necessities connected to these applications. How to deal with fonts and the ever-confusing image sizing are examples of these. This is all general information that you need to avoid embarrassing mistakes and classify yourself as NOT one of the computer-needy.

The second area of this course involves learning some basic principles of design. At the present time the list includes the concepts of margins, hierarchy, and grouping. Look at it this way - it does nothing to learn InDesign if you don't know how to arrange the content - you would be better off using Microsoft Word. Seriously.

Although there are many different types of class activities in this course, the most important by far are the project and assignments components. Doing it, thinking, and redoing it are the real ways to learn this information, be it the technical or the design aspects.

Advanced students with a thorough knowledge of the applications and/or the design component have two options. The first is trying to get the course requirement waived. See Thomas Payne about this. The second is to work above your capacity in the course. True, you will have to sit through some dull stuff (this is how you draw a line...), but much of the course can be utilized to review some basics you might have missed and to stretch your knowledge farther (I have yet to meet anyone who knows everything about Photoshop). And design skills can always be improved - if you don't think yours can then you can improve mine. The one thing I would advise an advanced student to not do is glide on previous knowledge in this course - sure you can get an 'A' with just a little bit of work, but is that what you really want from college?

Class Forms (pdf format)
These are old, but might give you some idea of how the course runs.
Course Policies (old)
Syllabus (old)
Schedule (old)
Photoshop Sizing Instructions
You can either fully understand photo sizing or follow this sheet to the word. And keep it in your pocket until you retire.