Course Offerings

Graphic Design with Photoshop and Illustrator (Software Included)

Graphic design continues to be a high-demand field across industries, with 20,000 job openings reported annually for professionals in this field through 2034, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. As businesses increasingly rely on visual communication to build brand identity, engage audiences and drive marketing efforts, skilled designers are needed to create compelling visuals for web, social media, advertising and print. This graphic design course aligns with current industry trends, including the rise of generative AI and the growing need for versatile, tech-savvy creatives, offering you a strong foundation in a dynamic and evolving marketplace.

Through hands-on projects and detailed instruction, you master essential design principles like color theory, typography and composition while building proficiency in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. This Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop course guides you in creating vector graphics, editing raster images and developing branded marketing materials. Alongside technical skills, you explore business practices, client communication and portfolio development, culminating in a professional body of work that showcases your readiness to enter or advance in the graphic design industry.

Course Objectives

Gain practical, in-demand capabilities that align with employer expectations and prepare you for real-world graphic design roles

Position yourself to confidently present your work to potential employers or freelance clients, enhancing job search and career advancement opportunities

Build your proficiency in the most widely used tools in the design industry, providing you with more competitive advantages and versatility in the job market

Understand how to contribute to brand identity and engagement efforts, a key value-add in marketing-driven design roles

Outline of Instruction

Digital Media and Graphic Design

Principles and Theory of Graphic Design

Vector Graphics and Illustrator, Part 1

Typography

Vector Graphics and Illustrator, Part 2

Image Editing in Photoshop, Part 1

Image Editing in Photoshop, Part 2

Designing for Marketing

Working with Clients and the Design Process

The Portfolio and Job Search

Capstone Project

Contact Hours

165

CEUs

Industry Standard, State or National Certification

Certification

None

Website

None

Certification Learning Outcomes/Requirements

CE or CU Articulation

Prerequisites

This program is designed to prepare you for a career in graphic design. Previous experience with Photoshop is not necessary. You need an internet connection, familiarity with using the internet, emailing capabilities and familiarity with navigating folders and naming and saving files to your computer.

Learning Supplies Needed

Hardware requirements:
This course can be taken on either a PC or a Mac. Chromebooks are not compatible.

Software requirements:
PC: Windows 10 or later
Mac: macOS 12 or later
Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox is preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
Microsoft Word Online
Adobe Photoshop (included in enrollment)
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:
Email capabilities and access to a personal email account

Instructional material requirements:
The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment. The following textbook will be shipped to you approximately seven to 10 business days after enrollment: "The Elements of Graphic Design" by Alex W. White.
Your enrollment in this course also includes a subscription to Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. You will learn how to activate this subscription during the course.