[CTE] OCP-A

DIG0081 (150 Hours)

The Theory & Foundations of Design

OCP-A Pacing Chart

FIRST THINGS FIRST! As a new student, you are required to read and acknowledge the Student Handbook. Follow these instructions on how to access your Focus Account, and complete the online verification process in the Focus system.

The first section of the course will introduce students to Design basics such as Typography, The Joshua Tree Epiphany, and even cover introductory Digital Photography using DSLR Cameras over the first five weeks of class, as detailed in the Syllabus and the Pacing Chart.  Projects will included presentation design and delivery, product & studio photography, and even some entry level Photoshop work.

At the end of this section, you should be comfortable enough with creative workflows, typography, color theory and design rules such as contrast, repetition, alignment and proximity to jump into the really interesting work that follows!

“Welcome to the team, and prepare for some long hours and tight deadlines, just like in the real world!” -GD

Week 1: Welcome Aboard Newbies!

The first week of class will introduce you to the course, as well as have you jump into the basic theories and foundations for design. Additionally, you will set up your Online Portfolio using WordPress with the Folio A1: WordPress Portfolio Setup project, which where you will turn in all of your design projects and publish your weekly research articles in the form of blogs. You will also get started on Career A1: Career Services Introduction & Appointment. The first week may seem a little odd to you as a new student, so be sure to use your Pacing Chart as a checklist each and every day to get into the groove, I promise you will get the hang of it!

  • Week 1 Checklist
    • Set up your access to LinkedIn Learning. You will need this right away, so let’s get it done!
    • If you don’t already have a professional Gmail Account, set one up now. Use your name if possible (ex. firstname.lastname@gmail.com). If you are new to Gmail, then watch this Gmail Essential Training video.
    • Watch the following Training Videos on LinkedIn Learning:
      • We use Google Drive, Google Sheets, Google Slides and Google Docs throughout the program. It is absolutely imperative that you know what you are doing with these platforms. You will have plenty of time to watch all of these videos, given your Online time. Jess Stratton will show you everything you need to know so that you can be sure you know how to use these platforms in the future, to complete your assignments.
    • Read the required chapters of the Non-Designers Design Book, and be ready to discuss with the class the day after they are assigned. You can see when you should have them read on your Pacing Chart.
    • Write a detailed Article about modern computers & operating systems.  This is basic computer knowledge that all designers should know. Post this on your WordPress blog, and have a link ready to email the Instructor by the end of the week.
      • Here is a Sample Blog Post with all the rules and general guidelines, for you to use as a guide in the future.
    • Take Quiz A1 – Design Basics at the end of the week, in class. The questions from the quiz are taken from the LinkedIn Learning videos, as well as the Non-Designers Design Book. Be sure to study up, because you can only take the quiz once!

Week 2: Digital Photography Introduction

You made it through the first week! Now it’s time to get to know your DSLR camera with Photo A1: Basic Photography, and in particular the Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO settings. We will spend the week learning to control these three elements until we know how to take great exposures in a variety of different shooting modes. You online time will be mostly spend learning the ins and outs of photography, including some legal terminology too. By the end of the week, you should already be adding things to your Online Portfolio!

  • Week 2 Checklist
    • Use your class time wisely! Take LOTS of pictures for Photo A1: Basic Photography.
      • Be creative… make the pictures interesting!
      • Do more than the minimum… fill your portfolio up!
    • Create a Profile at GuruShots, and compete in a challenge!
      • You can pick the challenge you want to compete in!
      • Add a link to your GuruShots Profile on your Portfolio Website, and send the link to the Turn In email at the end of the week.

Week 3: Studio Photography

Now that you know more about HOW cameras work, it’s time to put it to the test. This week, you will be assigned two projects which are both due by the end of the week. First, Photo A2: eCommerce Product Photography will have you shoot and edit a product of your choice for use on eCommerce Platforms.  Once those are done, we will reset the studio for Photo A3: Social Media Portrait Photos. While you are online, you will have two short video courses that will help you get a much deeper understanding of the tools required to complete your Projects, and prepare you for the weekly quiz.

Additionally, the Career A1: Career Services Introduction & Appointment assignment is due in just a few weeks. Have you already done yours? If not, what are you waiting for?

  • Week 3 Checklist
    • Watch your Learning Product Photography videos.
      • The weekly quiz draws from this online course heavily, and it will also be instrumental to making your projects much better!
    • Watch the Learning Portrait Photography videos as well.
      • This online course will make your portrait photography really pop overall, and help you with the weekly quiz.
    • Your class time is 100% scheduled for your hands on projects, so get in, get your camera ready and shoot!
      • Make sure you have the product you plan to shoot as quickly as possible, as you have very little time to complete the project. It’s part of the learning curve!
    • Write your Research Article on the Exposure Triangle, and Cameras themselves. Check your Pacing Chart for places to get started.
    • Send an email with three links this week, one for each Project, and another for your Weekly Research Article.
    • Take Quiz A3 – Studio Photography in class before you leave at the end of the week.

Week 4: Photography Presentation Design

So you have had a few solid weeks behind the lens, so let’s put that knowledge to the test. This week, you will complete Presentation A1: A Black & White Photo Presentation, which will test your ability to shoot, edit and design a short presentation using Google Slides.  Back in Week 1, you should have learned the basics of the Google Slides platform, so if you need a refresher, take a stroll back in time to sharpen up. While you are online, take the time to watch your video assignments, and pick up the tricks and tools to both making great black and white photos, but also how to make an attractive presentation. This week will go by fast, I promise… so make really good use of your time both in and out of the classroom.

  • Week 4 Checklist
    • Be sure to watch all the LinkedIn Learning videos for the week! You will absolutely need the knowledge in them to get through the week!
    • The Presentation A1: A Black & White Photo Presentation project is WAY BIGGER than you might think, so your class time is 100% scheduled for your hands on projects. The week will fly by, and you will have to present your work at the end of the week… don’t waste time!
      • Don’t drag your feet on this project! The deadline is designed to make you produce under pressure, so stay cool headed and shoot with a plan.
      • Pick a good Theme! Think of a really interesting theme for your photography presentation! If you are maybe not so good at picking a creative subject just yet… then I would get to searching for cool ideas! Things like Balance, Contrast, Negative Space, Shadows, Leading Lines, Forgotten Things… these are really creative ideas that will make you shoot some cool stuff!
    • Don’t forget to write your Weekly Research Article!

Week 5: Advanced Photography

Oh man… the section is already almost over. The blur that was the last four weeks has prepared you for some entry level photography jobs, believe it or not. Now, let’s have some fun with our images! By the end of the week, you will have completed 3 challenging photography projects, Photo A4: Panoramas, Photo A5: HDR Photo Desktop Wallpapers, and Photo A6: Harris Shutter Portraits.  It may seem overwhelming, but if you take it one day at a time, you will have a lot of cool photos for your portfolio. Starting this week, your in class time is shooting and editing. While online, the LinkedIn Learning videos will help you gain an even deeper understanding of the things Photoshop can do… as well as get you more comfortable with the interface!

Additionally, the Career A1: Career Services Introduction & Appointment assignment is due by the end of this week, so hopefully you are already good to go!

  • Week 5 Checklist
    • You will search online for Tutorials to complete your various projects this week. You are responsible for trying different methods yourself, and finding a solution that works for you.
      • Every student will find different workflows and methods.
      • Work together if you need to to find the best methods!
    • Watch your Photoshop CC Essential Training (Basics) online course.
      • The weekly quiz draws from this online course, as well as the book chapters assigned to you for your in class time.
    • Write your Research Article about all the different types of Advanced Photography, and be sure to link out to all the different tutorials you found and used too!
      • This is a great chance for you to save links and suggest them to other designers/photographers and increase your own online following. Consider using Twitter, and connect with professionals from this line of work! Follow them and you will get all sorts of cool stuff!
    • Create a Profile on Unsplash, and submit five of your photos.
      • Be sure to link to this profile from your own Portfolio.
    • Each Project should be it’s own Portfolio Item, due by the end of the week. Be sure to send all 4 links in your email this week (one to each Project, and one for your Article).
    • Take Quiz A5 – Advanced Photography & Photoshop in class at the end of the week, which will prove you know your stuff!