Adobe Graphic Design Bootcamp

Develop skills learning the use of Adobe’s industry standard Creative Cloud software applications: Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign. Design and create common print and digital products using traditional and Design/Thinking design processes. Explore new software application AI techniques. Learn how graphics software and design processes are utilized in various career pathways. Compile examples of coursework projects and key learning points, in the design and creation of a multipage printed and bound portfolio using Adobe InDesign well as a digital portfolio in PDF, ePub and online.

Learn more about a Graphic Communication major/minor and career path here.

Learning Outcomes in this course

• Apply a sequence of graphic communication industry processes and procedures in producing designs and products for a fictitious business or organization.

• Write a creative brief that outlines client background, objectives, competitors, and key message.

• Use Adobe Photoshop to modify, repair, enhance and composite images including the use of AI processes.

• Create a layout using Adobe InDesign in the production of a brochure that includes text, graphics and images.

• Construct a style guide that describes branding, colors, typography and imagery.

Proposed Activities

• Tour of commercial printing company that includes design and production technologies.

• Tour labs with production equipment including lithography, screen, flexography, finishing and binding equipment.

• Design and create a logo using Adobe Illustrator.

• Design, assemble and bind printed portfolio.

Instructor

Ivan Bradley, Instructor at Cal Poly SLO

Ivan Bradley has been an educator for 30 years, receiving several educator awards during that time. The past 15 years, he has taught various courses as a lecturer professor for the Graphic Communication department at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. This follows nearly 20 years in the graphic arts profession. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art from Humboldt State University and a Master of Education, Computers in Education degree from Lesley University of Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was chosen as a short-term guest professor/scholar at Northern Melbourne Institute, TAFE, Melbourne, Australia, presented at the International Conference for Graphic Communication Educators, and gave workshops on the use of Adobe InDesign at the GraphExpo Conference in Orlando and Print 17, Chicago. He has published three digital books, and a 234-page textbook “The Graphics of Communication: Exploring the Graphic Arts and Design.”