Master Photoshop for Design & Editing (6-Week Intensive)
Course Duration: 6 Weeks
Mentorship: Industry experts in graphic design and digital art will guide you through your learning journey.
Mode of Learning: Online, Self-paced + Weekly Live Sessions
Week 1: Introduction to Photoshop & Basic Tools
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Getting Started with Photoshop:
- Installing and setting up Photoshop.
- Introduction to the Photoshop workspace: Panels, menus, and tools.
- Understanding document setup, resolution, and color modes (RGB vs. CMYK).
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Basic Tools and Functions:
- Selection tools: Marquee, Lasso, Quick Selection, and Magic Wand.
- Brush tool, Eraser, and Clone Stamp for basic editing.
- Layers: Creating, organizing, and adjusting layers in Photoshop.
- Basic color editing with the color picker and gradients.
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Project 1: Simple Photo Edit:
- Basic photo enhancement: Adjusting brightness, contrast, saturation, and sharpness.
- Use selection tools to remove background and make simple edits.
Outcome: You’ll get comfortable with the Photoshop interface, basic tools, and fundamental editing techniques.
Week 2: Advanced Selection & Masking Techniques
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Advanced Selections:
- Using the Pen tool for precise path creation.
- Working with the Magnetic Lasso and Quick Mask mode.
- Refine Edge and Select and Mask for perfecting selections.
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Layer Masks:
- What are layer masks, and how to use them for non-destructive editing?
- Creating smooth transitions with masks for realistic blending and cut-outs.
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Blending Modes:
- Introduction to blending modes for combining layers in unique ways.
- Experimenting with modes for effects like shadows, highlights, and color adjustments.
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Project 2: Complex Image Compositing:
- Combine multiple images into a single scene using advanced selection, masking, and blending modes to create a realistic composite.
Outcome: You’ll learn how to use advanced selection tools and layer masks to make complex edits and create composite images.
Week 3: Working with Text, Typography & Effects
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Working with Text:
- Adding and formatting text in Photoshop: Fonts, alignment, and spacing.
- Understanding the Character and Paragraph panels.
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Typography Effects:
- Creating text effects like shadows, gradients, and 3D styles.
- Applying layer styles (stroke, bevel, emboss, etc.) for text designs.
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Creating and Customizing Shapes:
- Using the shape tool for creating basic shapes and paths.
- Customizing and combining shapes for more complex designs.
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Project 3: Promotional Poster:
- Create a promotional poster with text, imagery, and custom shapes. Apply typography effects and organize the design using layers and masks.
Outcome: Gain proficiency in text manipulation, typography design, and creating professional-looking promotional material.
Week 4: Color Correction & Photo Manipulation Techniques
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Color Correction & Adjustment Layers:
- Using adjustment layers for non-destructive color corrections: Curves, Levels, and Hue/Saturation.
- Understanding Color Balance and Selective Color adjustments.
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Photo Manipulation:
- Techniques for altering or enhancing images: Adding and removing objects, creating surreal effects, and blending elements seamlessly.
- Advanced retouching techniques using the Healing Brush, Clone Stamp, and Content-Aware Fill.
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Working with Smart Objects:
- Introduction to Smart Objects for maintaining high-quality edits in multiple layers.
- Editing Smart Objects nondestructively.
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Project 4: Surreal Photo Manipulation:
- Create a surreal image by combining multiple photos and applying color correction and photo manipulation techniques.
Outcome: Master color correction techniques and learn photo manipulation for creating enhanced or surreal designs.
Week 5: Digital Painting & Brush Techniques
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Digital Painting Basics:
- Introduction to digital painting tools and custom brushes in Photoshop.
- Adjusting brush settings: Size, opacity, flow, and blending modes for painting effects.
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Custom Brushes & Textures:
- Creating and using custom brushes for texture effects and artwork.
- Applying texture overlays for digital artwork or photo manipulation.
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Creating Realistic Shadows & Lighting:
- Techniques for adding light sources, shadows, and highlights to your compositions.
- Painting realistic light effects, reflections, and gradients.
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Project 5: Digital Painting Portrait:
- Create a digital painting portrait or concept art using custom brushes and painting techniques to add depth, shadows, and lighting.
Outcome: You’ll be equipped to create beautiful digital artwork from scratch, using advanced brush techniques and blending for realistic results.
Week 6: Final Project & Career Preparation
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Final Project:
- Apply all the techniques learned in the course to create a professional-level design project of your choice (e.g., a full marketing campaign, digital art piece, or product mockup).
- Focus on composition, color, typography, and visual storytelling.
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Portfolio Development:
- Learn how to curate and present your best works in an online portfolio.
- Preparing designs for client presentations and sharing them in different formats (e.g., PSD, PNG, JPEG).
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Career Preparation:
- Interview tips for graphic design roles: Common Photoshop tasks and challenges in a work environment.
- How to present your design work to clients and employers effectively.
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Project 6: Final Capstone Project:
- Complete a comprehensive design project, incorporating all the skills learned, and prepare it for your portfolio.
Outcome: By the end of the course, you’ll have a professional design project ready for your portfolio and an understanding of how to present your work to employers or clients.
Major Projects:
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Simple Photo Edit (Week 1)
- Core Skills: Basic editing, working with layers, and image enhancement.
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Complex Image Compositing (Week 2)
- Core Skills: Advanced selections, masking, and combining multiple images into one.
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Promotional Poster (Week 3)
- Core Skills: Typography, text effects, and professional layout design.
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Surreal Photo Manipulation (Week 4)
- Core Skills: Color correction, photo manipulation, and creative photo compositing.
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Digital Painting Portrait (Week 5)
- Core Skills: Digital painting techniques, brush creation, and lighting/shadow manipulation.
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Final Capstone Project (Week 6)
- Core Skills: Full Photoshop project integration and portfolio development.
Mentorship at Eduveda Academy:
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Industry Mentor Assignment:
- You’ll be paired with a professional designer from the industry who will review your work, offer feedback, and give career advice.
- 1-on-1 mentoring sessions for project reviews, troubleshooting, and guidance.
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Weekly Live Q&A Sessions:
- Participate in interactive sessions to discuss design challenges, ask for critiques, and gain deeper insights into Photoshop tools.
Final Notes:
- Weekly Live Sessions: Engage in live discussions to clarify concepts, ask questions, and get feedback on projects.
- Peer Networking: Join the academy’s Slack group to collaborate with other learners, share ideas, and provide feedback on each other’s work.
- Portfolio Development: By the end of the course, you’ll have multiple projects to showcase in your portfolio for potential clients or job opportunities.
This 6-week course will provide you with the skills needed to master Photoshop for both graphic design and photo editing. You’ll leave with a professional portfolio of work that demonstrates your ability to handle a variety of design projects, making you ready for roles in graphic design, advertising, digital art, and more.