Rick Rivas
DesignWithRick
Graphic Design 35
Introduction to Graphic Design

Introduction to
Adobe Photoshop CS4

Rick Rivas M.A.

Telephone:
(408) 855-5309

Email: instructor at
rickrivas.com

Office Hours:
Room: E2-403K
T/Th 2:30-4 (as of 3/21)

Welcome to the support site dedicated to the students enrolled in Graphic Art 68 (Section #95976) at Mission College.
This e-syllabus provides a weekly calendar, links to resources, and instructor contact information.

Photoshop CS5 -Advanced

Spring 2011 Course Overview

This is an intermediate to advanced level course that focuses on Adobe Photoshop Photoshop CS5.

The course builds on the techniques taught in the introduction class and therefore GRART 64 is recommended.

Students will learn how to build website graphics, digital illustration/paintings, professional-level portrait and product retouching.

Basic knowledge of computers and the English language are required.

Examples of Design Topics Discussed

Image Manipulation, Creating Graphics (vector and raster), Typography, Montage, Printing, Photo Correction, Retouching, and Repairing, and much more.

Student Evaluation Process

Students will demonstrate their knowledge of the course material through a series of hands-on projects.

Grading Scale:

Projects & Presentations (90%)
Participation 10%



Semester Calendar

Overview:

Introduction to the course, students, and instructor. We reviewed primary tools, processes and strategies that were covered in semester one.

Course Details Covered:

  • Grading Policies
  • Late Homework/Resubmit
  • grades and attendance (Angel Website).
  • Course Materials
  • Lab Policies
  • Contact Information
  • Academic Priced Software
  • Wacom Tablets
  • Organization

 

Links to get Materials:

Assignment

  • Get Course Materials and review course
  • Review concepts covered last semester

Course Materials:


Overview:

We took a quick look at what has changed in the most recent version and began to look in detail at the new Refine Edge interface, Channels and Curves Adjustments.

Photoshop CS4 Review + What's New CS5:

  • Selection Tools
  • New Refine Edge interface
  • Channels>Color>Color Balance>RGB
  • Curves (+/-, Shift, Arrow Keys, Eye Dropper Cmd Click (outside), Target Adjustment Tool)
  • Content-aware fill
  • Content-aware healing
  • Warp > New Puppet Warp (Smart Object)
  • Brushes (Mixer, Tips)
  • HUD Color Picker (ctr/option/command)
  • Mini-Bridge

Examples

N/A

Assignment

  • N/A

Overview:

Today we looked at some of the new features in CS5 as well as some techniques for image compositing. Special attention was given to Channels.

Photoshop CS5:

  • Selections (Color Range)
  • CurvesTone Adjustments
  • Color Balance
  • Channels (RGB, Alpha)
  • Grain (Fibers w/ Channels)
  • Blending Options (This Layer)
  • Black & White Adjustment Layer
  • Merge Layers/Buildup and Layer organization

For advanced compositing examples see:

Assignment

  • Assignment 1- Realistic Compositing.
  • Requirements- one human extraction, at least 3 images, 150+ ppi, ~8X10
  • Grading Criteria- Masking, Tone, Image Interaction (HIghlights, Shadows, Reflections), Texture
  • Due Date- March 2nd (work in progress Feb 23rd)
  • Delivered as- PSD with preserved layers and original images (Deliverables, Source)
  • Possible source for imagery: Istockphoto.com

Overview:

Today we looked at...

Photoshop CS5:

  • Shadows
  • Highlights
  • Reflections
  • Lighting
  • Texture
  • Layer Interaction

Examples

N/A

Assignment

  • Continue work on Assignment 1- Realistic Compositing.

Overview:

This week was dedicated to one-on-one instruction and lab time to finish assignment #1.

Photoshop CS5:

  • Review & Individual Instruction

Examples

N/A

Assignment

  • Bring your assignment in on Monday and Wednesday to work in class. I will be spending time with each student to help complete assignment #1

Overview:

We examined layer styles in depth as well as approaches to creating Faux-3D

Photoshop CS5:

  • Drop Shadows/Inner Shadows
  • Outer Glow/Inner Glow
  • Bevel & Emboss
  • Satin
  • Color Overlay
  • Gradient Overlay
  • Pattern Overlay
  • Stroke
  • Custom Pattern Creation
  • Utilizing layer Blending modes and Contour options

Examples

Assignment

  • Assignment 2- iPhone App Icons (4 total)
  • File Specs: 72ppi, RGB, 4 icons in two sizes (see/use PSD template);
  • Vary each icon in effects (border, texture, style, color, glossiness, etc)
  • At least one true 3D object (I recommend using Repousse with path/text);
  • At least one custom/created object
  • Grading Criteria- creativity, level of refinement, use of layer styles, faux 3D, and true 3D tools, plausibility of end result
  • Due Date- Work in progress due Wednesday March 23, and Final version due Wed April 4.
  • Delivered as- PSD with preserved layer styles and in
  • large and small formats (source and deliverables folders)

 



Overview:

This week we did the work in progress for assignment #2.

Examples

N/A

Assignment

  • continue working on assignment #2. Always bring your assignment in to work on in lab time.

Overview:

3D tools were introduced, with special emphasis on the new Repousse tool.

Photoshop CS5:

  • x, y, z coordinates
  • move/rotate/scale 3D objects
  • creation of basic 3D objects
  • 3D formats
  • Anatomy of 3D objects (vertices, mesh, materials, lighting, plane)
  • Repousse (extrude, materials, bevel) using text and paths
  • Materials (load, edit)

Links to finding 3D content:

Examples

N/A

Assignment

  • continue working on assignment #2. Always bring your assignment in to work on in lab time.


Overview:

Spring Break----No Class

Examples

N/A

Assignment

  • continue working on assignment #2.

October 27 Overview:

We spent the week wrapping up project #2. Students should bring their projects into class.

Examples

Not Yet Available

Assignment

  • continue working on assignment #2. Always bring your assignment in to work on in lab time.

Photoshop CS5 Bible

  • To be announced

Nov 1 Overview:

We examined the process of creating photo-realistic production images, specifically computer elements

Photoshop CS5:

  • Creating Texture (ie. noise (mono/gausian) + levels + fibers(overlay 55%) + spatter + blur + noise (overlay)) + color balance
  • Photoshop Patterns
  • Vector Objects (PS/AI)

Examples

N/A

Assignment

  • Assignment #3- Computer retouch/illustration
  • Specs: 3200W x 3000H; 72 ppi, RGB,
  • using the provided image, re-create/retouch/illustrate a production quality image (matching the original source image).
  • Replace screen image with an image of your choice, but include toolbar on top.
  • You will be graded on accuracy and technique (layering, non-destructive, editable, simplicity, organization).
  • Name all layers used, group related layers, and delete any unused layers
  • Due Date- Monday November 15th (no work in progress)

Photoshop CS5 Bible

  • To be announced




Nov 16 Overview:

We examined using Raw images and creating web/pdf galleries.

Photoshop CS3:

  • Raw Photographs
  • Vanishing Point
  • Image Distortion
  • Auto Align Layers
  • Auto Blend Layers
  • PDF Gallery
  • Flash Gallery
  • Save for Web

Examples

Not Yet Available

Assignment

  • Do the lesson in Chapter 6

 


Nov 23 Overview:

We examined more details regarding the vanishing point tool.

  • Clipping a layers to shapes
  • vanishing point grid
  • placing imported artwork
  • adding artwork in perspective
  • managing layers
  • layer comps

Examples

n/a

Assignment

  • Do Chapter 9 in the book

 


Nov 30 Overview:

We examined more details regarding the vanishing point tool

Photoshop CS3:

  • not yet announced

Examples

n/a

Assignment

  • Do Chapter 10 in the book
  • EXTRA CREDIT---create the dark box (including background) found in Chapter 10
  • prepare your work in progress for the final project- Due Dec 7th.

Dec 7 Overview:

We did the work in progress on Monday and had lab on Wednesday.

Examples

N/A

Assignment

 


Dec 14/16? Overview:

FINAL DUE in person

Examples

N/A

Assignment

  • go relax :)

 

General Policies:
Late work will be penalized 10%. Students missing 4 lectures or more will receive “No Credit”. It is the responsibility of the student to drop the course. Plagiarism is unacceptable and appropriate disciplinary actions will be enforced. It is very important that students are respectful of their classmates. Class time should not be used to check email, chat online, or surf the Internet. Students who are sick should not come to class. It is the responsibility of the student to back-up and keep copies of all projects until the end of the semester.

Disabilities
Mission College makes reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. Students should notify DISC (Disability Instructional Support Center) located in S2-201 (855-5085) of any special needs.

Emergencies
If you are in S1-502, retrieve your personal items and exit the building going out the door of the building that is outside the classroom on the left. Go to the assembly point in the parking lot outside.