The Digital Arts Certificate program focuses on developing technical skill and creative artistry in digital photography and imaging.

Students learn professional applications for Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator or equivalent digital imaging and vector drawing tools. Course projects include digital art studies, retouching, compositing, illustration, identity design, color matching and composition studies, photorealistic imaging, color correction, and art exhibition development.

FEATURES

The Digital Media Arts online certificate training course focuses on developing technical skill and creative artistry in digital photography and imaging. In this online digital media arts class students learn professional applications for Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator or equivalent digital imaging and vector drawing tools. Course projects include digital art studies, retouching, compositing, illustration, identity design, color matching and composition studies, photorealistic imaging, color correction, and art exhibition development.

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TOPIC HIGHLIGHT

This program consists of eight required courses and one elective. The required courses are as follows:

• Intro to digital arts: Lay a foundation for your digital arts projects by exploring the technology and creative applications of digital imaging and photography. Students learn the technical fundamentals of computer-based art and design, exploring case studies on how digital artists create their work in both the commercial and fine arts space. Hands-on assignments explore core concepts in digital imaging and color.
• Photoshop basics: Get a thorough grounding in Adobe Photoshop, the premiere digital imaging program for graphic designers. Hands-on projects show how to select, enhance, distort, color, scale, and manipulate scanned images and artworks-or create them from scratch. Every designer must tame this creative powerhouse of a program.
• Illustrator basics: Build a working knowledge of Adobe Illustrator, the graphic designer's vector program of choice. Course projects explore selection tools, drawing tools, layers, the pen tool, transformations/distortions, type tools, and modifying paths and shapes. Tapping the power of vector software allows you to produce detailed and scalable art for almost any application.
• Digital photography I: Explore the interaction of photography techniques and environmental factors to create powerful digital images. Students learn the fundamentals of lighting, perspective, and set-up and explore techniques for classic assignments: portraits, product shots, indoor and outdoor location shoots, and fast-action sports. Whether you're a fine artist, graphic designer, or web developer, a mastery of digital photography gives you creative control of the medium.
• Color theory: Focus on developing appropriate color systems for graphic design projects. Course projects explore the principles, terminology, and applications of color theory, with an emphasis on manipulating color. A working knowledge of the expression and perception of color, and color interaction, lends credibility and sophistication to a designer's work.
• Photoshop advanced: Take your Photoshop skills to the next level by mastering Photoshop's advanced features. Students explore professional approaches to compositing, retouching, image correction, and masking. Brushes, lighting, textures, and special effects are explored as creative ways of producing high-impact images for print or web media. The course builds on a basic level of Photoshop knowledge experience and offers projects that are challenging on both technical and artistic levels.
• Color correction and printing: Learn how to achieve an effective color balance in your Photoshop images and optimize them for print output. Students explore professional techniques for working with scanned, film, and digital source material, learn how to control, correct, and enhance the color palette of digital images for print media. Course projects emphasize developing a technical knowledge and an artistic understanding of color calibration for professional-quality digital imaging.
• Digital art photography: Explore the development of an art photography concept from genesis through its exploration, selection, treatment, and presentation. Students examine how to place images in photos and mock up drawings of three-dimensional spaces to promote exhibitions. Students complete the course with a photography project ready to be presented over the web, sent via e-mail, or distributed at client meetings.

Each student will be required to select one course from the following list:

• 3D Modeling using Form Z: Experience a practical introduction into the world of 3D modeling using the advanced Autodessys Form_Z 3D modeling tool. Class projects including a robot design, lighting effects, 3D architecture, animation, and ad design. The course show graphic designers how to integrate 3D effects into their work and establishes a good starting point for further exploration of 3D environment or game design.
• Illustrator advanced: Gain a working knowledge of Illustrator's advanced features, from tough Pen tool challenges to gradient meshes, symbols, actions, and filters. Students learn how to create photo-realistic illustrations, complex patterns, and rich designs, speeding their efforts with workflow features. The course builds on basic Illustrator skills to tackle high-end projects with depth, dimension, and wow-power.
• Digital illustration basics: Explore tricks of the trade for creating Illustrator graphics that intrigue and delight. Step-by-step lectures explore how Illustrator tools such as the Pen tool, Bezier curves, and gradients are used to create graphics and icons. Principles of effective illustration are discussed, including lighting effects, smooth curves, and character design.
• Digital illustration advanced: Tackle advanced methods for communicating creative concepts through Illustrator graphics. Step-by-step lectures explore how an expert illustrator creates icons, characters, line art, and sequences. The focus is on developing a distinctive style in Illustrator projects.

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CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS

A 70% or better must be achieved in order to receive a Certificate of Completion.

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COURSE OBJECTIVES

By successfully completing this program, students will understand how to:

• Learn the technical fundamentals of computer-based art and design.
• Be proficient in Photoshop.
• Be proficient in Illustrator.
• Understand the basic concepts of digital photography.
• Understand the principles, terminology, and applications of color theory.
• Know how to achieve an effective color balance in their Photoshop images and optimize them for print output.

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PDF BROCHURE

Please click here to download the PDF brochure for the Gatlin online courses offered by OCPE.

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WHO SHOULD ATTEND

There are no specific prerequisite skills for this program. Each course builds on the skills and knowledge gained from the previous course. Students will begin with the Introduction course and work their way through the program.

The intended audience for this program is students seeking a thorough digital arts education.

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This course is taught by part-time George Mason University, OCPE, Gatlin instructors.

Stephen Voss is a Portland, Oregon-based documentary photographer and web designer. Stephen's photographs have appeared in The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Willamette Week and he writes about photography for a number of magazines. He is currently working on a grant-funded project documenting people experiencing homelessness in the Portland area. Stephen has a BA in computer science from the George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

James Dodson graduated from the University of Texas School of Architecture with a bachelor's degree in architecture in 1995. During his studies he spent two semesters studying abroad and fell in love with travel. His passion for design and travel brought him to Oslo, Norway where he joined Snèhetta (the internationally acclaimed designers of the Alexandria Library in Egypt). In four years at Snèhetta Jim worked on a variety of projects and a number of prize-winning competitions. Jim's specialty in the office was the use of 3D modeling as a design tool. His models have been published in magazines and trade publications in Europe and the United States. Jim has also given lectures in 3D modeling at architecture schools in Oslo and Bergen.

Michael Hamm is a freelance designer and web developer with more than eight years of experience in the field of interactive design. Based in Houston, Texas, Michael previously worked for JPMorgan Chase as an interactive designer. Michael's work has been published in various web design books and magazines. In addition, he has served as technical editor on several design books published by Friends of Ed. Michael is an Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) in Adobe Illustrator and he is the founder, designer, programmer, and writer of Ergodraw.com, a web site that grew from his passion for the illustration software and all things vector.

Piper Nilsson is a graphic designer and information architect. In her four-year career for a leading web design agency, she blueprinted sites for such global clients as MetLife, Pepsi, ETS, and Citibank. Her current projects include building an e-learning prototype for children with learning disabilities and teaching technology in New York City public schools. She received a degree in graphic design from Pratt Institute.

Young Mo Yoon is a digital illustrator who hails from San Francisco and lives in New York. He's worked on all kinds of design projects from illustration to new media, for clients such as JP Morgan, Bowman International, and Studio Bada. He has received an award from the Society of Illustrators in LA and plans on producing animations in the future. Young holds a BFA in illustration from California College of Arts and Crafts, and an MFA from the School of Visual Arts.

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1. How do I register for a Gatlin online course?

Please contact our office on the Fairfax campus in Northern Virginia (NOVA) or call 703-993-2113. Click here for more information or to download a copy of the registration form.

2. How much do Gatlin online courses cost?

To view the prices for all Gatlin courses that are offered by George Mason University, please click here.

3. Why do I have to take Gatlin courses through a participating school?

Gatlin does not offer courses directly to the public. They partner with major colleges and universities to offer their programs.

4. Do I have to travel to register for or to attend a Gatlin online course?

All Gatlin courses are delivered entirely online, you do not have to go to a class or travel to a school. If you are unable to visit our office on the Fairfax campus in Northern Virginia (NOVA), please contact us at 703-993-2113 or click here for more information or to register for a course.

5. How long does it take to complete a Gatlin course?

All of our Gatlin courses are asynchronous. You can start and finish the course at your own pace. Most courses are designed to be completed within 180 days. You may request an extension if you think you will need more time to complete a course (fees may apply). Please contact us at 703-993-2113 or click here if you have any questions or if you would like to register for a course.

6. Do I have to buy additional materials?

Please refer to the green Included Materials box located on the upper right hand side of this page. If materials are included in this course, they will be shipped by Gatlin to you via UPS ground service after you have registered for a course.

7. Can I get financial aid for Gatlin courses?

Gatlin courses are non-credit and therefore are not eligible for Federal Student Aid. However there are a number of loan programs that can be used to fund your course. Click here to view a list of these options or call 703-993-2113 for more information. Gatlin also provides a loan opportunity for students (www.collegeloanapplication.com).

8. What happens when I complete the course?

If you obtain a final passing grade of 70% or greater in a course, we will award you a George Mason University certificate of completion.

9. Who will be my instructor?

Each student is paired up with a facilitator for one-on-one interaction. The facilitator will be available (by e-mail) to answer any questions you may have and to provide feedback on your performance. Facilitators are all successful working professionals in the fields in which they teach.

10. What are the system requirements in order to take an online course?

Please see the "PC requirements" section listed for individual courses.

11. When can I start the course?

Registrations are rolling. Please send us your registration form at the time you wish to start your course. Registrations take five to seven business days to process.

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