Learning Resources - Media 1.01

1.01 Graphic Design Software. Use a graphic design program (like Photoshop, Claris, Inspiration, Visio) to produce a diagram.

Introduction

While graphic design software share similar features, which allow you to produce virtually identical images, each one goes about it in a different way. As a result, when using a specific software program the best resource is the accompanying manual. Due to most manual's technical writing style they are often not the easiest resource for beginners and sometimes experts, but be assured, manuals will cover every feature of the software. In addition to manuals, graphic design software may come with tutorials. These tutorials will often take you through the steps of a basic project. Look for tutorials with the graphic design software on your computer's hard drive or on an accompanying compact disk.

If you will frequently be using a specific software application, you may benefit from purchasing a book that will better suited to your experience level. Bookstores carry many computer reference books. From the "Dummies" series to software "Bibles," you will find an author who wants to make learning a software program interesting and enjoyable. While these books are a great addition to the manual, they are often very expensive (over $40) and by no means are required to complete this objective.

Your Job:

  1. Use the details provided below to create a product that addresses and demonstrates mastery of this competency.
  2. Use the stepwise process listed under Your Portfolio to display the completed product in your ITSC portfolio.

    Product Details:

    • Use a graphic design program (like Photoshop, Claris Works, Inspiration, or any other) to produce a diagram.
    • The diagram that you create is to be a visual display of your personal roadmap to completing the ITSC program at PSU.
    • Your personal roadmap to completing the ISTC program is listed within the admissions application checklist that you copied and then submitted.
    • Post a link to your roadmap diagram on the index page of your personal portfolio (i.e., "To view my personal roadmap to completing the ITSC program, please click here.").

Your Portfolio:

  1. FTP your completed product for this competency to the "1media" folder within the web-based portfolio template provided.
  2. Click here to view the "Devel" page in the portfolio template.
  3. Download the "Devel" page from your ftp folder.
  4. Locate 1.01 Graphic Design Software on the "Devel" page.
  5. Under "1.01 Graphic Design Software" locate this sentence..."To view the evidence that I offer for this competency, please click here."
  6. Link the word "here" to your product.
  7. Delete the old "Devel" page in your ftp folder.
  8. Upload your revised "Devel" page.
  9. Submit the URL for your completed product in the student database.

Related Resources:

  • Refer to your completed copy of the ITSC application checklist.
  • Refer to the "Exit Criteria" content located within this site.
  • Graphic Design Program
    • Type of resource:
    • Source: Computer Hard Drive
    • Description: To complete this competency, use a graphic design application and it's manual.
  • Reference Books from "Dummies" series
    • Type of resource: Book (hard copy)
    • Source: http://cda.dummies.com/WileyCDA/
    • Description: The Dummies series presents the reader with the basics of a software program in a very casual easy to understand style of writing. There is a Dummies book for almost every type of software.
  • Inspiration Visual Thinking Tool
    • Type of resource: Web site
    • Source: http://inspiration.com/home.cfm
    • Description: Educators and students alike will benefit from graphical ways of working with ideas and presenting information. A thirty-day free trial version is available from Inspiration Software, Inc.
  • Adobe's own Web site for Photoshop tips
    • Type of resource: Web site
    • Source: http://www.adobe.com/products/tips/photoshop.html
    • Description: Photoshop users will benefit from the Tutorial CD included with every version of Photoshop. The Adobe Photoshop Quick Reference Card shows you the basic tools and palettes that appear within Photoshop. Adobe Photoshop's help system contains all of the information in the users guide and is available from within the application.
  • Adobe - Tips and Techniques
    • Type of resource: Web site
    • Source: http://www.adobe.com/products/tips/main.html
    • Description: Graphic design software company, Adobe, offers tips and ideas for many of their software applications. While this site is designed for Adobe applications, many of the graphic design concepts are universal to all graphic design programs.

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