Program Description

Adobe Photoshop is an essential tool for anyone's "digital tool box." It is widely used for developing components of designs in both the digital and print worlds. Whether you are a graphic designer, web developer, filmmaker, photographer or other digital artist, fluency with Adobe Photoshop will enhance your work and creative process.

In this intensive, five-day course our expert instructor will guide you through the key features of Photoshop while providing the opportunity for you to practice what you've learned by working on a variety of projects with the help of the instructor. We'll start with the very basics and gradually build up to more advanced skills and workflows. The class will also cover how to save or export Photoshop files for a variety of project needs, from print to videos as well as how Photoshop files integrate with other Adobe Creative Suite programs.

After taking this program you will have the knowledge and problem solving skills to work effectively on all types of projects with Adobe Photoshop.

Read more about what makes our certificate programs unique.

After You Register

BDA is committed to making this process as smooth and enjoyable as possible so that you can focus on your learning. After you register you will be contacted by our staff who can answer questions and assist you with any logistical and travel concerns you might have.

Equipment Requirements

You will need to bring along your own laptop, with the latest version of Adobe Photoshop already installed and working properly. This program will be presented in Adobe Creative Cloud, but most of what is taught will apply to earlier versions of the program. If you don't have a computer, we have Apple iMac computers that we can rent to you starting at $50 per day or $200 for the Program. BDA staff will follow up with you after you register to reserve a computer if you need one. Please note that if the computer requirement is a hardship for you, please let us know as we have a number of scholarships available for computer rentals.

Schedule

Day 1: Introduction to Adobe Photoshop

In this first day we'll explore Photoshop's workspace, interface, tools, panels and different kinds of objects. The hands-on projects will include simple photo resizing, color space adjustments and saving/exporting to multiple file formats.

• Opening files
• Creating new documents
• Customizing interface
• Workspaces
• Resolution
• Color space
• Resizing or resampling
• Simple transformations
• Cropping
• Tools discussion
• Using CC libraries
• Layer discussion
• Making selections overview
• Retouching overview
• Simple actions
• Image prep for web or print output
• Saving, save as, exporting multiple file types
• Smart objects explanation
• Duplication layers from one file to another
• How Illustrator can work with Photoshop
• Key commands

Day 2: Photoshop Essentials

During this second day we'll build on what you've learned and dive into essential tools/skills that you'll use in just about all Photoshop projects. Today's project will be creating a basic postcard design.

• Selection tools
• Retouching tools
• Duplication
• Layers
• Destructive editing
• Non-destructive editing
• Type tool options
• CC type kit
• Typography

Day 3: Photoshop for Photography

Now that we are familiar with the essentials, we'll explore using Photoshop with Photography and the powerful tools available for this type of work. The hands-on projects will include perfecting a photo and adjusting a world map.

• Adjustment layers
• Camera raw
• Layer masks
• Lens correction
• Photo corrections
• Photo reconstruction
• Light and exposure adjustments

Day 4: Photoshop for Print and Digital Media

During our fourth day we'll dive deep into using Photoshop for both print projects and digital media projects such as web design. Our project for the day will be using Photoshop to enhance a photo and prepare it for print as well as preparing and exporting images for the web.

• Complexe non-destructive photo editing
• Work paths
• Alpha channels
• Smart vectors
• Smart objects
• Saving and exporting for digital media & print
• Exploring mock-ups for use on web and print
• Advanced photo prep for specific output

Day 5: Creative Photoshop

Now that you're familiar with all the important tools and techniques in Photoshop, it's time to get creative and explore complex blending, masking, filters and more! Our projects for the day include "painting" a image from a photograph and creating motion with timeline animation!

• Filters
• Artistic filters
• Camera raw filters
• Using bridge to organize and batch images
• Timeline animation
• Animated GIF
• Painting
• Complex blending modes
• Masking with smart objects and blending

Instructor

Since he was young, Michael Chavez has been passionately creating visual art and design, and for nearly a decade, he has been dedicated to the art of visual communication through graphic design. Michael has taught at the Art Institute of Colorado for 8 years in the graphic design program where he focused on typography, portfolio and layout design while also successfully running his own single-man-design shop. He has also served on the board of AIGA Colorado since 2012. On a day-to-day basis, Michael not only uses the industry standard design software but he also teaches the use of those programs. He works on projects big and small from branding and identity programs to logo design, collateral, typographic expression, digital illustration and different formatting for print, web, and social media.