[ OCP-A Pacing Chart ] [ Student Handbook ] [ Required Equipment, Software & Book List ] [ Gradebook Categories & Weights ]

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Acknowledge the Student Handbook

★ HOLD UP THERE, NEWBIE! ★

As a new student to McFatter you are required to read and acknowledge the Student Handbook, so read the handbook and then follow these instructions on how to access your Focus Gradebook, and complete the online verification process to complete the Student Handbook Acknowledgement.

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Module One: Design Basics

We begin by laying the groundwork for everything you’ll do in this program. You’ll set up all your essential accounts, build your very first WordPress portfolio, and learn the six most important design principles — color, typography, contrast, repetition, alignment, and proximity. You’ll also practice writing blog posts that are engaging, professional, and worth showing off. Your first big portfolio project is a Google Slides presentation that proves you understand design at its core. Extra Credit: swap out your default WordPress theme for something that feels more “you,” and show that your site isn’t just functional, but personal.

Module Two: Basic Photography

Cameras out, time to shoot like a designer. You’ll learn how to actually control your DSLR, from aperture settings that create dreamy bokeh effects to manual modes that give you HDR photos with rich detail. Along the way, you’ll build a black-and-white photography collection that shows off composition and storytelling. This isn’t about snapshots — it’s about crafting images with intent. Extra Credit: take on one of the Photography Skills Challenges, pushing your creativity even further behind the lens.

Module Three: Photoshop

Now we take those photos (and plenty of new ones) and make some real magic. You’ll learn professional image editing with projects like restoring and recoloring old family photos, creating surreal double exposures, and even turning short video clips into looping GIFs. The big highlight is your Movie Poster Remake — designing your own poster from scratch using your photography and Photoshop skills. Extra Credit: Cinemagraphs, where one part of your image moves while the rest is perfectly still. These living photos are unforgettable in a portfolio. The module wraps with your first Adobe Certification: Visual Design Using Photoshop. Passing this means you’re officially Adobe-certified and can prove your skills to the world.