Advanced Graphic Design II - Course Description

This class will provide students with an opportunity gain ACA (Adobe Certified Associate) certification in Photoshop, InDesign or Illustrator.  Students may choose the software they would like to gain certification in, based on their interests.  All three programs are a part of Adobe’s Visual Design curriculum. Becoming ACA certified through Adobe is an accomplishment that can set students apart and prepare them to be competitive members in college and work.  Students will work with Adobe approved course material to prepare for the exam.   The final exam will be taken at the end of the semester, administered through CertiPort by the teacher in the classroom, for a reduced fee of $78 (the exam costs twice this outside of school).

In addition to certification, students will work with the teacher to prepare a professional portfolio website using Adobe Muse.  This will be a platform for students to include their resumes, a portfolio of their artwork, as well as any other pertinent information.  

Our class is on Google Classroom!  This is where you will submit your assignments.  Ask me for the code to join.

Exam Objectives

Resources

The following resources will be available to students to help them as they prepare for the ACA Exam(s).  

Illustrator:
  • Wilson, D. & Lourekas, P. (2016). Learn Adobe Illustrator CC for Graphic Design and Illustration. San Francisco, CA: Peachpit.
  • Wood, B. (2015). Adobe Illustrator CC Classroom in a Book. Adobe Press.
  • Adobe TV: Illustrator

Photoshop:
  • Schwartz, R. (2016). Learn Adobe Photoshop CC for Visual Communication. San Francisco, CA: Peachpit. 
  • Faulkner, A. & Chavez, C. (2015). Adobe Photoshop CC Classroom in a Book.  Adobe Press.
  • Adobe TV: Photoshop​

​InDesign:
  • Gordon, J., Jansen, C. & Schwartz, R. (2016). Learn Adobe InDesign CC for Print and Digital Media Publication. San Francisco, CA: Peachpit. 
  • Anton, K. K. & Cruise, J. (2015). Adobe InDesign CC Classroom in a Book.  Adobe Press.
  • Adobe TV: InDesign

Adobe ACA Career Path

Students will have access to a variety of handouts produced by Adobe for the intention of preparing for successful exam completion.  All of these handouts are in a binder in the classroom.