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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

I need a refresh about how to use a tool I learned earlier!  Is there a resource that can help me brush up on it?
Nathan, you've really loaded each lesson with a lot of information! Do I need to go through everything (videos, articles, etc.)?
  • Yes, I certainly have! I have so much I want to share with you! Let me preface my answer with this: What you get out of this course is completely dependent on the effort you put into it.
  • No, you don't need to watch all the videos, read all the articles, etc. In this advanced course, the critical thing to me is that you've learned the concepts or tools well enough to have basically mastered it.  
  • The videos and articles are there to teach, to reference, and to skim through when you need to review, which you'll still have access to even after this semester is over  One goal I have is to introduce you to YouTube channels, and other online Photoshop resources that will be beneficial to you even after you are finished with the course.
  • You can show me you know your stuff by how professional your portfolio exhibits are, and how well you do in the discussions, and on the midterm test.

Are there some good resources for stock photos, brushes, actions, styles, gradients, patterns, textures, backgrounds, color swatches, etc., that I can use in my assignments?
I noticed this is a blended face-to-face class and online course. If I'm in the face-to-face class and would rather participate online, may I do that? Or if I'm an online student, may I come to class?
  • Yes. Some students learn better with face-to-face instruction. Others do better working through things on their own. It matters not to me whether you are in class or participating online, as long as you actively participate!!! If you're an online student, and need face-to-face instruction, join us in our on-campus class. If you're registered as a face-to-face student, and you'd prefer to work as an online student, or you're an online student and would like to come to class - that's great - but let me know first, please.
  • Face-to-Face students, sometime life interferes with our schedules. If you need to skip a class, you may, by being an online student for that week.  Again, please be courteous and let me know via a Canvas Inbox message. Otherwise, I'll worry about you.
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Do my portfolio exhibits need to focus around a particular week's skills being taught?
The portfolio exhibits you create should be graphics and photos that...
  1. Show off your Photoshop skills you've acquired this semester
  2. Show how creative you are
  3. Show off great design ideas that use graphic design principles and Photoshop skills you've learned
  4. Be relevant and meaningful to you or your prospective employers in the future
With that in mind, does your exhibit need to focus on skills we learned this week?  No, certainly not.  I will be including assigned exercises in each lesson that will check on skills you've learned weekly.  Your portfolio exhibits need to demonstrate a variety of things you've learned - including those from last semester.  Make sure your portfolio covers a variety of graphic design products. A few ideas (but certainly not the entire gamut of things you could do):
  • Poster
  • Flyer
  • Brochure (such as a 3-fold, 2-fold, 4 fold, etc.)
  • Business card
  • Magazine cover or inside layout
  • Social media layout design
  • Digital display
  • Webpage design
  • Newsletter
  • Announcement
  • Advertisement
  • Logo work
  • Photomanipulation
  • Photo retouch or restoration
  • Infographic
  • Data Display enhanced by using Photoshop
  • PowerPoint, Google Slides, or similar presentation program design theme.
  • Photoshop painting
  • Stained glass window design
  • Fabric or quilt design
  • Beautiful typography graphic,
  • Book cover design
  • Resumé
  • Game screen layout
  • App screen layout
  • Educational product, etc.
Each week, you'll be adding new skills, reviewing earlier ones, and be exposed to new ideas.  Be creative!  This semester is the time to really stretch those creative muscles and put together an advanced portfolio that will blow the socks off anyone who looks at it.  Practice, and have fun!  Many of my former students have informed me that they have gotten jobs, internships, and other opportunities because of the skills and graphic design knowledge they've gained in the course.

How can I, as your instructor, help you this semester?
What can I do for you as your instructor?  I am someone you can bounce ideas off of.  I can try to inspire you with ideas.  I can help you over the Photoshop stumbling blocks you may run into - "How can I do that???"  I can be a resource for you, or help you find resources. That's why I'm here. I am a resource and facilitator for you!
Page last updated December 12, 2019