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If you are interested in learning about the creation and editing of vector artwork such as logos, illustrations and graphic artwork then we recommend you complete our Introduction to Adobe Illustrator CS5 course and if you wish to take your skills beyond the basics then you should consider our Intermediate Level course as well.

Student Instructions

Please bring a USB to save your work – pen and paper for note taking.
Ashmore Campus doesn’t have canteen facilities on Saturdays. Please bring your snacks.

ENROLMENTS REQUIRED 1 WEEK PRIOR TO COURSE STARTING.

Entry Requirements

Course prerequisites are that you have previous experience using applications on a PC or Mac and are capable of navigating around your computer, saving files and have an understanding of the folder structure This course requires a solid understanding of computers, importing, locating and opening files on a PC platform. It is also required that students have a working knowledge of the internet.

It is recommended that you complete both our Illustrator training courses in order to gain a comprehensive understanding in the use of the software.

Topics

This course provides an introduction to creating and editing vector artwork such as logos, illustrations and graphic artwork. On completion users will be able to create artwork for commercial use in magazines, business stationery, brochures and posters.

Course content includes (but is not limited to) the following:

• Illustrator’s Interface – The work area, Tools Panel, Application bar and Illustrator’s preferences
• Artwork Creation -The use of Vector drawings and Bitmap images, opening a file, changing the Illustrator artboard and/or page size, zooming in and out, undo and redo, using rulers, guides and grids
• Drawing Vector Art – Using the pen tool, drawing shapes, adding or deleting anchor points and an introduction to the Pathfinder tool
• Object Selecting and Arranging
• Selecting objects, moving and duplicating objects, the Align panel and grouping objects
• Transforming Objects – Using the Transform panel to transform, scale, rotate, reflect and shear objects long with using Warp Effects
• Using Colour in your Graphics -Using the Colour panel, the Swatches panel, Creating Spot Colour swatches, using Pantone colours, Fills and Strokes
• Layers – The Layers panel, locating an item in the Layers Panel, using Template Layers to redraw artwork and Locking and Unlocking objects
• Clipping Masks, Transparency and Gradients – Creating Clipping masks, Editing a clipping mask, Transparency and Gradients
• Use of Type – Adding type in Illustrator, creating area type, creating text along a path, importing text into Illustrator, kerning, tracking and converting text into graphic objects

This comprehensive course will build on the skills and techniques learned in the Introduction to Adobe Illustrator CS5 (Level 1) course and deal with more complex Illustrator techniques. Course prerequisite is the Introduction to Adobe Illustrator CS5 (Level 1).

Student Instructions

Please bring a USB to save your work – pen and paper for note taking.
Ashmore Campus doesn’t have canteen facilities on Saturdays. Please bring your snacks.

ENROLMENTS REQUIRED 1 WEEK PRIOR TO COURSE STARTING.

Topics

Course content includes (but is not limited to) the following:

• Extended Drawing Techniques – Modifying strokes, creating dotted or dashed lines, drawing arcs, spirals, rectangular grids, circular (polar) grids, creating information arrows and revised use of the Pen Tool
• Live Trace and Live Paint -Tracing artwork, adjusting the Tracing options, converting a tracing object, creating a Live Paint group and selecting items in Live Paint groups
• Combining Objects and reshaping objects – The Pathfinder panel, Pathfinder effects, creating a compound shape and the Shape Builder tool. Also creating a blend with the Blend tool, distorting objects using an Envelope, introduction to Perspective drawing and drawing in perspective
• Extended use of colour – Creating a colour harmony using the Color Guide panel, editing a colour group using the colour wheel, assigning colours to your artwork, About colour models, RGB, CMYK, HSB, Lab, Grayscale, converting images to RGB or CMYK or grayscale, and copying attributes with the Eyedropper tool
• Advanced Type Features – Creating rows and columns of text, checking spelling, character and paragraph styles, using fractions, ordinals and converting type to outlines
• Effects and Filters – Applying an effect or filter, creating drop shadows, rounding corners of objects, modifying or deleting an effect
• Attributes and Graphic Styles – The Appearance panel, copying with the Eyedropper tool, creating Graphic Styles, Graphic Style libraries and Importing graphic styles from other documents
• Transparency and Blending Modes – Opacity masks, Isolating blending modes to a group, and applying transparency to groups or layers
• Gradient Mesh Objects – Creating and editing mesh objects
• Creating Web Graphics -Slicing graphics for web application, the Save For Web and Devices dialogue box, optimizing and saving web graphics, in the correct Web file format
• Extended printing options – Print dialogue box options, general, Printers Marks and Bleeds, Output, Graphics and Colour Management options

The InDesign Level 1 course introduces users to the page layout and design application features of the software. On completion users will be able to produce publishing material such as basic flyers, brochures, and business stationery.

Students Instructions

Please bring a USB to save your work – pen and paper for note taking.
Ashmore Campus doesn’t have canteen facilities on Saturdays. Please bring your snacks.

Entry Requirements

Course prerequisites are that you have previous experience using applications on a PC or Mac and are capable of navigating around your computer, saving files and have an understanding of the folder structure. This course requires a solid understanding of computers, importing, locating and opening files on a PC platform. It is also required that students have a working knowledge of the internet.

It is recommended that you complete both our InDesign training courses in order to gain a comprehensive understanding in the use of the software

Topics

Course content includes (but is not limited to) the following:

• The InDesign Interface – Now where do I find that!
• The setting of InDesign application preferences – Creating settings of how you want the program to respond to your style of doing things
• The creation of documents – Page size and number, and the saving of files in the correct format
• Adding text and graphics – Styling and Importing
• Drawing paths, lines and shapes – Using the Pen tool and Shape tool
• Creating pages – Adding pages, Master pages and page numbering
• Using layers -The layers panel, creating layers hiding, showing and locking
• Working with text – Creating text frames, threading frames and special characters
• Formatting text -Changing characters, choosing a font and style, leading, text wrapping, kerning, paragraph and character styles
• Colours and gradients -The Swatches panel, Spot colours and gradients
• Using graphics-Importing, linking and image formats
• Preflighting, packaging the files and setting them up for printing -Preflighting a document, resolving errors, packaging files
• Output to PDF – Press quality files and PDF output options

Outcome

Students will gain a basic understanding of the InDesign CS5 page layout software package and gain knowledge in pre-press print requirements, correct file size and formats, as well as good graphic design elements and principles. This course is an introductory course which will give you a sound understanding of the software used within the graphic design/advertising industry and also provide you with the relevant experience to create professionally designed documents for distribution by print and the internet.

ENROLMENTS REQUIRED 1 WEEK PRIOR TO COURSE STARTING.

The Intermediate Adobe InDesign course builds on the skills developed in the Introduction to Adobe InDesign course and includes more complex page layout, formatting techniques allowing you to control the appearance of your document and its publication.

Students Instructions

Please bring a USB to save your work – pen and paper for note taking.
Ashmore Campus doesn’t have canteen facilities on Saturdays. Please bring your snacks.

Entry Requirements

Completed Indesign Level 1 or similar experience.

Topics

Course content includes (but is not limited to) the following:

• Extended use of Colour -Importing swatches, sampling colours and using the Fill and Stroke Attributes
• Extended use of Styles – Character Styles such as a Drop Cap and Nested Styles
• Object Styles – The Object Styles Panel, editing objects, importing and deleting Object Styles
• Creating Structured Documents – Master pages in depth, pages and spreads, multiple page sizes and numbering options
• Type Composition – Advanced kerning, leading, word breaks and tabs
• Bullets and Numbering – Lists, formatting the styles and list options
• Working with Tables – Creating a Table, inserting rows and columns, applying table cell styles
• Vector Elements – Strokes, shapes, styles and corner effects
• Introduction to Books and Table of Contents -Long document skills, formatting and structure
• Strategies for Long Documents – Covers and body content, Preflighting and PDF Options

Starting with the basics of AutoCAD, the main project will involve the drawing of a house-plan, from start to fully dimensional and scale plan, complete within a title-block. Sound computer knowledge required

Entry Requirements

A solid understanding of computers is essential.

Student Instructions

Pen and paper – for note taking. A Memory stick/USB flash drive for saving your work and taking your files home.

Topics

Setup, Drawing, Modifying, Scaling, Dimensioning, Layering, Creating blocks, Attributes

Career Prospects

Design Office, Drafting Office, Necessary skill for many other careers including Engineering, Surveying, Architecture, Manufacturing

Delivery Style

In a classroom, with individual computers and overhead video projector.

Outcomes

Ability to use AutoCAD for simple tasks

A student quote . . . The teacher is an expert in this field – M Yantewo

A student quote . . . Finding out the basics of AutoCAD was made so easy! – J Spittle

This course advances your skills from the Intro course, showing how AutoCAD is used in the workplace. Various projects are used and individual projects are encouraged.

Entry Requirements

AutoCAD Intro or equivalent knowledge

Student Instructions

Pen and paper for note taking. It s the students responsibility to takes the necessary notes for this course. A Memory stick/USB flash drive for saving your work and taking your files home.

Topics

Creative Perspective Drawings, Survey Drawings, Creating various views, Creating user coordinate systems, Creating advanced attributes, Creating block libraries, Hatching Techniques, Extracting attribute values in Excel, using Xref’s and more

Career Prospects

Design office, drafting office. It is a necessary skills for careers including engineering, surveying, architecture and manufacturing.

Delivery Style

Classroom delivery with individual computers, overhead projector demonstrations and necessary files. It s the students responsibility to takes the necessary notes for this course.

Outcomes

Ability to use AutoCAD for complex tasks

This course is for people who are new to computers and have little or no knowledge of the computer and its programs. You will gain an understanding of what a computer is and what you can do. Internet and email is now covered in this course. Learn at an introductory level in a friendly supportive learning environment.

Entry Requirements

No prior knowledge is required. This is a beginner’s course. You will however; need access to a computer between classes so you can practice as this will ensure a better understanding at the conclusion of the course.

Student Instructions

Please bring:

• a pen/pencil
• a Memory stick/USB flash drive for saving your work and taking your files home. (This is optional but recommended and not required for the first lesson where USB’s will be discussed).

Topics

• Correct procedure for turning the computer on and off.
• Using the mouse, keyboard and your USB.
• Introduction to Windows and windows applications and accessories.
• Learn how to correctly Save and Print documents.
• Plus short introductory exercises using Microsoft Word, Excel and File and Folder management.
• Access and use popular websites.
• Create and use free email.

Career Prospects

n/a

Delivery Style

The course is presented in a friendly, easy going, interactive environment with the student completing exercises from the workbook supplied. Delivery is on a Gold Coast TAFE PC (Note: this is not an Apple MAC).
Please note: tutor may change due to unforseen circumstances.

Outcomes

Students will be able to confidently use the computer for basic requirements and move onto more advanced computer courses.

A student quote . . . Our teacher had excellent subject knowledge and communication. Ray also gives a feeling of self-confidence to his pupils so they can explore on the computer which is good for the over 50's – G Murray

A student quote . . . I thought Ray was a very patient man and he made the class fun and so interesting. I am sorry the class has finished. I have learnt so much more than I thought I would – V Englers

The first thing you do when you buy a new car is to learn how to drive it. So it is with computers. There is only so much you can learn by pointing and clicking. Whether you are a PC or a Mac user, this course will give you the confidence to drive and maintain your computer in top condition.
Specifically aimed at teaching people of mature age how to get the most from their computer, you will learn how to look after your computer, the ‘tuning’ you need to perform periodically to keep it in top condition, free applications that will allow you to get the most from your investment as well as how to safely use the Internet for a variety of activities that will open new avenues for communication and contact.

Entry Requirements

This course assumes you have a computer or are about to purchase one.

Student Instructions

Those that have a laptop computer should bring it to class.
A USB stick is also recommended for saving work and files distributed by the instructor. Separate handouts and demonstrations will be provided for those using Mac computers rather than PCs.

Topics

Through instruction as well as guided exercises you will learn

• how to look after your computer and keep it in top condition
• keyboard and mouse skills
• how to customise your computer so that it works the way you want it to
• various free applications for word processing, drawing, imaging and others that you can use every day
• how to format and save simple documents
• how to create, store and manage files that you create
• how to surf the web safely and the most popular Internet applications people use
• the differences between e-mail and web mail and how to choose which is best for you
• how to use Skype for free video phone calls and other messaging software
• safety on the Internet, simple steps you can take to protect yourself against malware
• how computing has gone mobile and what’s in store over the next five years.

Delivery Style

This course is presented over six three hour learning sessions that provide opportunities for face-to-face mentoring by a qualified Australian trainer.
Course materials consist of

• Detailed course reference manual with guided activities and discussion for each session
• On screen presentation
• Handouts for Mac users

This typing course is ideal for students that want to learn how to Touch Type or to learn how to use a keyboard more confidently. Easy for absolute beginners as one of the first step to using a computer!

Entry Requirements

Access to Internet and computer outside of the TAFE classroom is essential to gain maximum results from this course.

Student Instructions

Bring a pen or pencil.

Topics

Ergonomics, Alphabetic and Numeric keyboard, Speed building and Accuracy improvement, Touch typing techniques

Lesson 1 & 2 – includes getting started, use of software and ergonomics
Two weeks off in between for practice
Lesson 3 – identifying and fixes and personal typing issues
Lesson 4 – speed and accuracy test for certified statement

NB: This course spans a 6 week period to allow maximum practice opportunities

Career Prospects

an advantage in any computer based position

Delivery Style

The course is self-paced with teacher guidance. Students work at their own pace through a user friendly nationally accredited computerised program. The program analyses your personal speeds and keyboarding errors as you go. Each student will be provided Internet access to the software program and practice and use at home is required. Classroom sessions will help identify and remedy any particular issues and will also cover ergonomics so that maximum benefits can be gained. The last class will include a speed and accuracy test where a certified certificate will be issued.

Outcomes

Students will have an understanding of good operating practice, have developed basic keyboarding or touch typing skills. Outcomes achieved from the course will be dependent upon the individual.

This course is designed to build professional level skills using MS Excel 2010 to create sophisticated and automated spreadsheets to analyse and display data.

Entry Requirements

Students will require a basic level of computer skills and some experience with MS Excel is essential.

Student Instructions

Please bring a pen and exercise book/paper for note taking. You will need a Memory stick/USB flash drive (512 Mb/1Gb is ideal) for saving your work and taking your files home to practice with.

Topics

The below lessons are structured around 3 hours sessions.

Lesson 1:
Basic Excel skills

• Move, drag, copy
• Paste options
• Insert, delete rows and columns
• Insert, delete cells
• Rename worksheets
• Copy, move worksheets
• Hide, unhide worksheets
• Sheet background and tab formatting

• Adjust column width and row height
• Hide, unhide columns and rows
• Freeze panes
• Split

• Font type, size, colour, italics, underline
• Alignment and indent
• Wrap text
• Format as currency, date, number, text
• Borders and shading
• Table AutoFormat

• Create
• Modify
• Format

• Orientation
• Margins
• Alignment
• Header and footer
• Watermark

• Page breaks
• Print preview
• Page break preview
• Print settings

• Protect worksheet
• Unlock cells
• Protect workbook

• Customized number and date formats
• Conditional formatting

• Apply, modify cell styles
• Apply themes

• Select multiple worksheets
• 3D formulas
• Combine data
• Links

• PMT function
• ABS function
• Logical test
• IF functions
• Nested IF functions
• OR, AND and COUNTIF functions

Career Prospects

Working in an Office environment.

Delivery Style

Teacher instruction, complemented by independent student work using a work book supplied as part of the course. This course is information based and designed to cater to a wide range of learner needs with facilitator assistance

Outcomes

Students will gain the ability to create and modify high level professional documents and apply sohisticated formatting in the MS Excel