IT INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY

School of Creative Arts and Digital Media

MODULE 2: GRAPHIC DESIGN SOFTWARE

Module Contents

GD 2.0 – Adobe Photoshop Fundamentals

GD 2.1 – ADVANCED ADOBE PHOTOSHOP

Module Overview

Advanced Adobe Photoshop focuses on developing professional-level skills in digital image editing, creative manipulation, advertising design, and commercial graphics production.

Students move from basic editing techniques into industry workflows used by professional designers, photographers, advertising agencies, and creative studios.

Module Requirements

Hardware Requirements

Software Requirements

Learning Outcomes

Video Learning Resources

Advanced Photoshop Workflow

Professional Photo Manipulation

Poster Design Masterclass

UNIT 1: Advanced Photoshop Workspace

Students learn how professionals organize their workspace for speed and efficiency.

UNIT 2: Advanced Layer Techniques

Layers allow designers to create complex projects while maintaining control and flexibility.

UNIT 3: Advanced Selection and Masking

Professional designers use selections and masks to isolate objects and create realistic designs.

UNIT 4: Professional Photo Retouching

Students learn techniques used in fashion, photography and advertising.

UNIT 5: Digital Compositing

Combining multiple images to create one realistic artwork.

UNIT 6: Commercial Advertising Design

Students create designs used in real marketing campaigns.

UNIT 7: Print Design Preparation

Preparing professional files for printing.

UNIT 8: Mockup Design

Students create realistic presentations of designs.

Practical Laboratory Projects

Project 1

Create a professional movie poster using photo manipulation.

Project 2

Design a product advertisement campaign.

Project 3

Create a complete social media advertising package.

Project 4

Design a billboard advertisement.

Project 5

Create a professional brand presentation mockup.

Assessment Structure

Assessment Percentage
Weekly Practical Tasks 20%
Design Assignments 25%
Creative Project 25%
Final Portfolio 30%

Final Professional Project

Students create a complete commercial design campaign.

Deliverables

Module Summary

Next Module: GD 2.2 – Adobe Illustrator Fundamentals

GD 2.1 – ADVANCED ADOBE PHOTOSHOP

Module Overview

Advanced Adobe Photoshop focuses on developing professional-level skills in digital image editing, creative manipulation, advertising design, and commercial graphics production.

Students move from basic editing techniques into industry workflows used by professional designers, photographers, advertising agencies, and creative studios.

Module Requirements

Hardware Requirements

Software Requirements

Learning Outcomes

Video Learning Resources

Advanced Photoshop Workflow

Professional Photo Manipulation

Poster Design Masterclass

UNIT 1: Advanced Photoshop Workspace

Students learn how professionals organize their workspace for speed and efficiency.

UNIT 2: Advanced Layer Techniques

Layers allow designers to create complex projects while maintaining control and flexibility.

UNIT 3: Advanced Selection and Masking

Professional designers use selections and masks to isolate objects and create realistic designs.

UNIT 4: Professional Photo Retouching

Students learn techniques used in fashion, photography and advertising.

UNIT 5: Digital Compositing

Combining multiple images to create one realistic artwork.

UNIT 6: Commercial Advertising Design

Students create designs used in real marketing campaigns.

UNIT 7: Print Design Preparation

Preparing professional files for printing.

UNIT 8: Mockup Design

Students create realistic presentations of designs.

Practical Laboratory Projects

Project 1

Create a professional movie poster using photo manipulation.

Project 2

Design a product advertisement campaign.

Project 3

Create a complete social media advertising package.

Project 4

Design a billboard advertisement.

Project 5

Create a professional brand presentation mockup.

Assessment Structure

Assessment Percentage
Weekly Practical Tasks 20%
Design Assignments 25%
Creative Project 25%
Final Portfolio 30%

Final Professional Project

Students create a complete commercial design campaign.

Deliverables

Module Summary

Next Module: GD 2.2 – Adobe Illustrator Fundamentals

GD 2.3 – ADVANCED ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR

Advanced Module Overview

This module develops advanced vector design skills required for professional graphic design environments. Students learn how to create complex illustrations, brand systems, commercial artwork, packaging, and professional design presentations.

The focus is on industry workflow, creative problem-solving, precision design, and preparing artwork for real clients and production.

Professional Skills Developed

Advanced Learning Outcomes

After completing this module students should be able to:

UNIT 1: Advanced Illustrator Workflow

Students learn professional methods used by designers working in creative agencies.

UNIT 2: Advanced Pathfinder and Shape Techniques

Students create complex designs by combining and modifying vector objects.

Pathfinder Techniques

UNIT 3: Advanced Logo Design

Students learn professional logo creation from research to final presentation.

Logo Design Process

  1. Client Research
  2. Brand Analysis
  3. Idea Generation
  4. Sketch Development
  5. Vector Construction
  6. Colour Selection
  7. Brand Presentation

UNIT 4: Professional Brand Identity Systems

A brand identity is more than a logo. Students create complete visual systems.

Brand Elements

UNIT 5: Advanced Illustration Techniques

Students develop professional illustration skills.

UNIT 6: Gradient Mesh and Advanced Colour

Students learn advanced colouring techniques for realistic vector artwork.

UNIT 7: Typography and Lettering Design

Students create custom typography artwork.

UNIT 8: Packaging Design

Students design packaging solutions for real-world products.

Projects Include:

UNIT 9: Advertising and Marketing Materials

UNIT 10: Professional Printing Preparation

Students prepare final artwork for commercial printing.

Industry Tools and Resources

Practical Laboratory Activities

Lab 1: Logo System

Create a complete logo family with variations.

Lab 2: Character Design

Create a professional vector character.

Lab 3: Packaging Project

Design product packaging from concept to presentation.

Lab 4: Advertising Campaign

Create promotional graphics for a company.

Lab 5: Brand Presentation

Present a complete identity system professionally.

Major Assessment Project

Students complete a full professional branding project.

Required Deliverables

Portfolio Requirements

Module Summary

MODULE 2 COMPLETED

Next: NEW FILE – MODULE 3: BRANDING AND ADVERTISING DESIGN