Award in Photoshop – Introduction

This course covers the fundamentals of digital graphic design in computing. In this unit learners will cover both theoretical understanding of design technologies and hands-on experience with the appropriate application. Topics include perception, cognition, and communication issues, designs, digitizing and manipulating images, materials, copyright and ethics.

The course includes practical labs as well as authoring various digital graphics presentation and design for the various environments including World Wide Web, Industrial Design and Digital Photography. Students will learn about the different types of design and how to construct effective Digital graphics.

Career Paths

Elderly students and hobbyist Photographers wishing to take their skills further.

Structure and Assessment

Course delivery is blended, and includes on-line or face-to-face lessons along with practical assignments where applicable.

Duration – 10 Weeks / 20 Hours

Lecturing Schedule

Part-Time Evenings or Saturday Morning – 1 Session of 2 Hours each Weekly Tuesdays plus 18:00 – 20:00 hrs of lectures

Note: Additional hours as directed by the Lecturer need to be dedicated by way of Self-Study / Research / Assignments / Projects / Presentations / Group-Work or similar.

Assessments

These may be either Home-Based Assignments or Time-Constrained Assessments, on both an Individual Basis, as well as on a Group-Level Basis according to the Units being assessed, and may also include evaluation of hands-on practice.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify the purpose, audience and audience needs for preparing images and designs.
2. Communicate designs and images with clients and colleagues.
3. Determine the type of copyright, permissions and licencing required to use specific content.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of Key Terminology related to Digital Images, including basic design principles and best practices employed in the design industry.
5. Navigate, Organise and Customize the Application Workspace.
6. Create a document with the appropriate settings for web, print and video.
7. Entry Requirements

Computer literacy

Maturity Clause:

Students who satisfy the following conditions may apply for consideration to join MCAST programmes as mature students:

• Be in possession of the School Leaving Certificate
• Have, by the end of the current calendar year:
• Attained the age of 23 years for entry to programmes at MQF Level 5, Level 6 and Level 7 on the National Qualifications Framework.
• Attained the age of 21 years for entry to programmes at MQF Level 4 on the National Qualifications Framework.
• Attained the age of 19 years for entry to programmes at MQF Level 3 on the National Qualifications Framework.3
• Demonstrate that they stand to benefit and show that they are able to follow the programme through an interview held for the purpose. The Interview Board may require candidates to undertake additional studies as part of their acceptance. The Board may recommend an alternative programme where it considers it appropriate. The Board reserves the right to evaluate the prospective candidate’s competences through an assessment. Students are advised to contact the Office of Part-Time Courses to clarify any queries.

Certification:

Course participants may be awarded either an MCAST Certificate of Attendance or an MCAST Certificate of Achievement.

MCAST Certificate of Attendance

· An MCAST Certificate of Attendance will be awarded to those candidates who attend at least 70% of the lessons.

MCAST Certificate of Achievement

· An MCAST Certificate of Achievement will be awarded to those candidates who satisfy the 80% attendance criteria AND ALSO choose submit course assignments / or sit for assessments and achieves a Pass mark or higher.

· Students who opt not to submit assignments or sit for the assessments or fail to achieve a Pass mark will however be awarded an MCAST Certificate of Attendance provided that they fulfil the minimum attendance criteria as stated above.