Graphic Communications

Grades 10 - 12                                                 

2 units

Prerequisite: None

This course provides students with pre-press software skills.  Students will learn industry standard software including but not limited to the following: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Acrobat and Adobe InDesign.  Students will gain entry level software knowledge including illustration, photo editing and page layout as they relate to the printing industry. The basic print shop features covered include but are not limited to: single color press operating, digital plate making, digital printing and single-color silk screening.

Grades 11 – 12                                                

2 units

Prerequisite: Graphic Communications 1 

This course offers more challenging projects that promote further learning in the design and print industries. Students will learn advanced layout, design and photo correction skills that will be applied in various offset and digital printing jobs. Students will learn many pre-press skills including: color separation, digital plate output, preflight file preparation and creation of PDF files as they relate to offset and digital printing.  Print shop functions include multi-color printing, digital plate setup, multi-color digital plate making, digital printing, multi-color silk screening and large format printing.  Single color and multicolor offset printing using single color and two-color offset printing presses are covered with all students creating a final offset printing project.  Other items covered related to offset printing include folding and binding techniques.  Students are given opportunity to start their portfolios in this course. Students will begin the Adobe certification process. Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator will be covered. 

Grades 11 – 12                                                 

2 units

Prerequisite: Graphic Communications 2 and teacher recommendation

Students who have successfully completed the Level 1 and Level 2 courses have the option of registering for Level 3 with the recommendation of the teacher. The curriculum continues beyond level 2 and may include internship opportunities. Students will continue in the Adobe certification process.  

Grade 12                                                 

2 units

Prerequisite: Graphic Communications 3 and teacher recommendation

Students who have successfully completed the Level 3 course have the option of registering for Level 3 with the recommendation of the teacher. The curriculum continues beyond level 3 and may include internship opportunities. Students will continue in the Adobe certification process. Adobe InDesign will be covered.