Computer Graphic Artist
(Software included)

Your at-home learning program includes six Instruction Sets designed to take you step-by-step through the techniques and skills you’ll employ in your new career as a Computer Graphic Artist. Your first Instruction Set will be sent to you as soon as your enrolment has been accepted. Other Instruction Sets will follow as you complete your exams, so that you will always have training materials to work with.

Please note: In order to complete this program you will need to have access to an IBM®-compatible PC with the following hardware and software requirements: Pentium® 233 processor or better (Pentium® III, or better, recommended) ; Windows® XP operating system, or Windows 2000 with SP3;128MB RAM; 260 MB available hard disk space; Super VGA (800x600) or higher resolution monitor; mouse or compatible pointing device.

Instruction Set 1

• Learning Strategies
  • The advantages of learning at home; types of study materials; types of examinations; accessing and using the features of our website; determining what kind of learner you are; establishing a study schedule; using study tips; preparing for and taking examinations.
• Introduction to Computer Art
  • Learning about the Computer Graphic Artistry field;
    basic equipment; skills needed; career opportunities.

Instruction Set 2

• Printers, Scanners, Joysticks, and Other Add-Ons
  • Computer hardware and peripherals; descriptions
    and uses of hardware and peripherals.
• Computer Graphics
  • Computer graphics: what they are and who uses them; types of graphics: raster and vector; computer graphics software; the electronic publishing process; multimedia production and styles.

Instruction Set 3

• Internet Basics
  • Where to find browsers online; how to use a browser, including loading URLs, moving to other pages, saving pages and graphics, bookmarking, downloading, using e-mail and search engines, setting preferences, plug-ins.
• Elements of Design
  • Basic design terms; transferring document design skills to online publishing and the creation of Web pages.
• Illustrations
  • Types of illustrations used by desktop publishers;
    selecting, sizing, and placing art in documents;
    arranging and manipulating images.

Instruction Set 4

• Introduction to Graphic Design
  • Introduction to graphic design; perception, dynamic balance, and gestalt principles; text type, layout, illustration, and photocopy in design; advertising design; color, production tools and procedures, and Web design.
• Textbook: Graphic Design Basics

Instruction Set 5

• Graphic Design and Production
• Getting Started with Illustrator® and Creating Text with Illustrations Transforming Objects and Working with Layers, Patterns and Brushes Filters, Effects, Appearance Attributes and Graphs Using Symbols; Preparing for Printing and for the Web
• Graded Project
• Textbook: Adobe® Illustrator®
• Software: Illustrator®

Instruction Set 6

• Government Requirements for Launching a Small Business
  • Registration and incorporation of the business tax collection; payroll remittances; tax payments; local or special permits.
• Selling Yourself as a Computer Graphic Artist
  • Constructing your resume; preparing your portfolio; fashioning electronic portfolios using pre-configured software packages.

Online Library and Librarian
Students in ICS Canada have access to an online library for use during their studies. Students can use this library to do the required research in the courses they complete or can use it for general reference and links to valuable resources. The library contains helpful research assistance, articles, databases, books, and Web links. A librarian is available to answer questions on general research-related topics via email and to assist students in research activities during their studies with ICS Canada.

We reserve the right to change program content and materials when it becomes necessary.

Microsoft, Paintbrush and Windows are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.

Pentium is a trademark of Intel Corporation and its subsidiaries registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.