GA 121 - Publishing With InDesign™

• proficiently use the InDesign software;
• understand and describe the importance of page layout programs in the graphic arts industry to produce high end products for printing;
• describe the impact of printing variables (ex: paper, ink, color, etc.) on the production process and your designs;
• apply design principles, color and typography in a pleasing layout;
• use hardware in conjunction with the class requirements; and
• describe the steps in the creative process, and utilize them during the lab sessions to produce both hard and soft proofs for proofreading, presentation and publication.

GA 122 - Electronic Imaging II

• learn about how job tickets provide checklists of general information for use by both prepress and press, and bindery departments;
• plan and create an imposition that will be saddle stitched;
• learn about how to plan for proper clamp and gripper allowances;
• learn about the importance of printing controls like crop marks, registration marks, and color bars and how to create each in an imposition software application;
• send digital files for output to a wide format printer;
• create a two color step and repeat imposition;
• plan an imposition based on a work and turn layout style;
• create an imposition that will be printed on two sides of a press sheet;
• study sequential page order for various types of signatures;
• send digital files to output computer to plate;
• learn why computer application software continues to replace the traditional imposition (stripping) methods for plate making; and
• learn how unwanted patterns (moiré) are created in printing and how to avoid and correct them.

GA 124 - Lithographic Press II

Hands-on advanced procedures in operating duplicator presses will include multi-colored registration, PH measuring, ink mixing, finishing, press and paper problem solving, as well as plate developing and troubleshooting. The course objective is to produce well-registered, multi-colored jobs for inclusion in a portfolio.

Course Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• explain the operations required to produce a printed product;
• explain the role of the graphic arts technician and their relationship with the members of the print production team;
• demonstrate the ability to operate and maintain a variety of printing/bindery equipment;
• present ideas verbally, demonstrating craftsmanship and confidence in a commercial print shop environment;
• demonstrate safe working habits and practices in an industrial environment;
• demonstrate proper material handling abilities; and
• demonstrate increased verbal and visual communication skills in presenting one’s ability to apply standard practices in a printing production environment.

GA 125 - Create With Illustrator®

• demonstrate the principles of layout and graphic design as applied to commercial printing;
• explain the role of art director and the relationship with the customer and other members of the print production team;
• explain the history illustration in advertising, demonstrate several styles and its use in an advertising campaign;
• present ideas visually, demonstrating craftsmanship and confidence in a simulated commercial print job environment;
• learn to use the elements of design to create object-oriented vector graphics as part of a dynamic and compelling layout;
• use the basic techniques in creating graphics with Adobe Illustrator on the Macintosh computer; and
• demonstrate industry standard skills in preparing one’s own work for a professional portfolio.

GA 126 - Visual Design Basics

• demonstrate the principles of layout and graphic design as applied to commercial printing;
• explain the role of graphic designer, graphic technician and the relationship with the customer and other members of the print production team;
• explain the history of graphic design of the 20th century to present day trends. Be conversant in several styles and recognize their effect on advertising and the print media today;
• present ideas visually, demonstrating craftsmanship and confidence in a simulated commercial print job environment;
• create object-oriented vector graphics as part of a dynamic and compelling layout;
• create a basic 3-dimensional digital mechanical and mockup for a client presentation; and
• demonstrate increased verbal and visual communication skills in presenting one’s own work through preparation and presentation of a portfolio.

GA 131 - Photoshop I®

• output color proofs of images that have gone through basic image editing;
• apply special effects with filters;
• have knowledge of working with PhotoShop selection tools like the rectangular and elliptical marquee tools;
• select an image with the magic wand;
• use the lasso tool to select areas to be modified;
• organize artwork on layers;
• select and remove artwork on a layer;
• add a gradient to a layer effect;
• work with masks and channels;
• photo retouching, resolution and image size, adjust tonal range;
• use pen tool techniques and drawing paths around artwork; and
• know the basics of file formats.

GA 133 - Lithographic Press III

• identify basic terminology utilized within the graphic arts industry;
• recognize the various processes used to produce a project and the equipment utilized in the process;
• identify the proper maintenance procedures relating to a variety of printing and bindery machinery;
• recognize the need to follow safety procedures including chemical and mechanical hazard identification;
• employ measuring techniques in a variety of formats;
• develop procedures to follow in verifying position and register on a variety of printing and bindery equipment;
• gain competency in properly setting up a variety of printing and bindery equipment;
• recognize the importance of properly imposing images for the production on printing and bindery machinery; and
• develop the skills required to safely handle materials in the print shop.

GA 134 - Print Administration/Quality Control

• describe seven functions of management;
• identify the unique factors of the printing industry as both a service and manufacturing industry;
• identify the different components of printed product, determine what method(s) produced them, and understand how a product is estimated and priced in the printing industry;
• recognize different methods to control production efficiency; and
• describe various quality control methods used in the printing Industry.

GA 135 - Digital and Variable Data Printing

• identify basic advertising and marketing concepts;
• interpret database development, manipulation and preparation for VDP;
• define the production stages in variable data publishing;
• define the system components in a variable data print and publish workflow;
• define the levels of VDP; and
• develop, digitally create and print personalized products by merging static document elements from a page layout template and variable document elements imported from a database.

GA 140 - Publishing IV Web Basics

• identify the basics and background of the www; identify the basics of HTML as a coding technique for construction of web pages and the basic do’s and don’ts of good web design;
• identify basic codes, software and equipment necessary to construct a document in HTML format on the internet;
• construct a basic home page using a range of HTML codes from formatting, to color, to links, etc. for the web and a personal home page that includes advanced coding techniques that tie in with an identity package;
• understand basics of good logo design and the application to varied sizes within identity package components;
• identify “forms design” as the umbrella concept for creating a range of industry identity products including: the five basic functions of forms a planning check list for constructing effective and clear forms;
• identify and provide background for various components that make up an identity package for an individual or corporation: letterheads, business cards, envelopes, memo forms, purchase orders, shipping labels, invoices, compliment and packing slips, inventory sheets, employee record forms, cost/sales reports, expense vouchers, policy statements, news releases, personal portfolio, resume, etc.;
• construct specific components for an identity package in linear format using either QuarkXPress, InDesign or another suitable page assembly program;
• identify and use proper paper stock for specific id package components: writing/text, cover, NCR papers, etc.;
• calculate the most efficient multiple imposition for producing smaller items on a larger sheet size;
• select and correctly input data for using the step and repeat function for multiple imposition; and
• identify the basic components of book construction and construct several book page components for inclusion in a personal portfolio in binder format that is part of the identity package.

GA 141 - Photoshop II®

• make a composition (surrealistic) with a number of digital camera images that have been cropped, color corrected, any imperfections removed, etc. to create an artful composition;
• make vector shapes and use clipping paths;
• use layer effects and create floating selections;
• use clipping groups;
• create animation and make key frames in ImageReady;
• learn about slices and rollovers;
• make corrections with the history brush and history palette;
• create custom brushes and settings that appear in the tool options bar;
• use actions and styles to re-create a vector graphic;
• create layer sets to organize and manage layers;
• use channels to create selections; and
• adjust the tonal range of an image by assigning black and white points.

GA 143 - Internship

• identify good interview techniques, dress attire, and preparations to interview for various industry related positions;
• participate in an interview/hiring process for acceptance into an internship position;
• relate classroom instruction and training to an assigned on-the-job experience;
• apply specific learned skills and techniques to perform effectively in the industry work environment;
• demonstrate ability to utilize critical thinking skills for problem solving on-the-job;
• communicate effectively with supervisors and workplace personnel;
• evaluate related work experience and performance in a positive manner;
• apply valuable experience to future decision making and career choices; and
• apply specific skills and experience to enhance future resume preparation.

GA 144 - Multimedia

• utilize multimedia software to create animations;
• utilize multimedia software to create an interface;
• understand multimedia history, terminology and definitions;
• utilize multimedia facts, tips, and tricks;
• compare and contrast websites;
• understand and utilize interactivity; and
• identify and utilize multimedia elements in web design.

GA 145 - Web Page Design with Dreamweaver

• utilize HTML, compare and contrast DHTML, and Java Script;
• utilize Adobe Dreamweaver to create a working web page;
• understand Web terminology and definitions;
• utilize web facts, tips, and tricks;
• compare and contrast Web sites, providers and servers;
• understand and utilize interactivity;
• promote a personal website for “hits”; and
• identify and utilize multimedia elements in web design.

 

F/S (S)

GA 146 - Intro to 3D Modeling and Animation

• demonstrate knowledge of animation software and utilize the user interface;
• define and describe basic animation techniques;
• analyze, plan and construct objects;
• analyze and arrange the movement of objects;
• analyze, plan and construct realistic backgrounds and scenes;
• develop and create characters;
• plan and execute a path for animation; and
• demonstrate the ability to animate objects with moving parts.

 

F/S (S)

GA 231 - Prepress Fundamentals

• recognize standard Graphic Formats, Color Spaces and Documents;
• produce and convert basic graphic documents into a pdf workflow;
• solve imposition calculations for page creep, ganging and step and repeat;
• modify quality control devices and marks relevant to specific outputs;
• classify imposition layouts for books and flat sheet layouts;
• apply impositions to specific binding and workstyles utilizing a digital workflow; and
• modify Output Device dependent settings to achieve predictable results.

GA 232 - Digital Imaging I

• prepare a two-color page layout document correctly for output to a postscript level output device;
• prepare and output digital halftone images;
• understand and perform basic electronic trapping techniques for simple multicolor page layouts;
• prepare and output electronic documents utilizing correct screen ruling, resolution and screen angles for a postscript level output device;
• prepare and output digital grayscale images as duotones;
• preflight spot color files for postscript output; and
• demonstrate the learned techniques and their accuracy utilizing proofs and computer to plate output.

GA 241 - Digital Imposition & Workflow

• recognize and construct standard Graphic Documents in properly formatted Color Spaces;
• produce, modify and convert basic graphic documents into a PDF workflow;
• solve Imposition calculations for Page Creep, Ganging and Step and Repeat;
• modify and Construct Quality control devices and Marks relevant to specific outputs;
• classify Imposition Layouts for Books and Flat Sheet Layouts;
• prepare proper formatted imposition templates in page layout and imposition program;
• construct organized file tree maintaining links and the correct file version for output;
• modify Output Device dependent PDF settings to achieve predictable results; and
• demonstrate the ability to digitally capture scanned images properly sized and formatted for placement in a page layout document.

GA 242 - Digital Imaging II

• understand the basics of both additive and subtractive color;
• understand the processes of color correction and color separation, and their relation to quality of print production;
• receive an introduction to the color separation techniques of gray component replacement (GCR) and under color removal (UCR);
• scan and prepare color images correctly for postscript output; and
• output 4 color process plates to a platesetter and perform basic quality control, such as checking line screens, angles, ink density and overall plates quality.