Graphics Design Curriculum Using Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign
Duration: 1.5 months (6 weeks)
Objective: Equip participants with in-depth knowledge and practical skills to use Adobe
Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign for professional graphic design projects.
Weekly Plan
Week 1: Introduction and Basics
Topics Covered:
Adobe Illustrator
o Interface overview and setting up workspaces.
o Working with shapes, lines, and the pen tool.
o Basics of paths, strokes, and fills.
Adobe Photoshop
o Introduction to layers and layer styles.
o Selection tools (lasso, magic wand, quick selection).
o Image resizing, cropping, and resolution basics.
Adobe InDesign
o Overview of page layout and tools.
o Creating documents and setting up margins and grids.
o Working with frames and placing text/images.
Practice:
Create a simple poster with text, shapes, and images.
Week 2: Intermediate Techniques
Topics Covered:
Adobe Illustrator
o Working with type: creating text and manipulating typography.
o Using gradients, patterns, and brushes.
o Creating logos and vector illustrations.
Adobe Photoshop
o Photo retouching (healing brush, clone stamp).
o Adjustments: brightness/contrast, hue/saturation, and color balance.
oWorking with masks and blending modes.
Adobe InDesign
o Paragraph and character styles.
o Working with master pages.
o Creating multi-page layouts.
Practice:
Design a logo in Illustrator and create a business card in Photoshop using the logo.
Begin a multi-page document in InDesign (e.g., a brochure).
Week 3: Advanced Design Workflows
Topics Covered:
Adobe Illustrator
o Advanced pathfinder techniques.
o Using the Appearance panel and effects.
o Exporting for print and web.
Adobe Photoshop
o Compositing: combining multiple images seamlessly.
o Smart objects and non-destructive editing.
o Advanced selection techniques (select and mask).
Adobe InDesign
o Working with tables and forms.
o Adding hyperlinks and interactive elements.
o Preflight and exporting to PDF.
Practice:
Design an event poster with Illustrator.
Create a magazine spread in InDesign using edited images from Photoshop.
Week 4: Branding and Marketing Materials
Topics Covered:
Adobe Illustrator
o Designing icons and vector graphics for marketing.
o Creating brand assets like patterns and mockups.
Adobe Photoshop
o Social media templates (e.g., Instagram posts, Facebook banners).
oEditing and enhancing images for marketing campaigns.
Adobe InDesign
o Creating branded templates for reports, presentations, or eBooks.
o Automating repetitive tasks with scripts and styles.
Practice:
Design a complete branding package: logo, icon set, and social media post.
Week 5: Portfolio Project Development
Topics Covered:
Integrating all three tools: Illustrator for vector designs, Photoshop for image editing, and
InDesign for layouts.
Advanced techniques in Illustrator (e.g., vector tracing).
Using mockups in Photoshop to showcase designs.
Preparing print-ready and web-optimized files.
Practice:
Begin a final project: a branding kit including a logo, business card, flyer, and a brochure.
Week 6: Finalizing and Presentation
Topics Covered:
Reviewing and refining designs.
Exporting files in different formats for print and digital use.
Building an online portfolio (optional).
Final Project Submission:
Present the branding kit created in Week 5.
Feedback and critique session.
Training Schedule
Session Frequency: 3 days per week.
Session Duration: 3 hours per session.
