Nairobits E-learning > Course 'Stars of the Web' > Part 2 > lesson 1
  Photoshop 1
Introduction
20 mins		 This is a first of 3 lessons where we learn more in Photoshop. We will learn new and important techniques a designer needs to have. At the end of it, we should all have a homepage design for our neighbourhood project. Think of it as a representation of your area. A design that represent your hood. You have been given the honour of this great assignment! The talented young designer. I'm sure we will do a great job! The only trick to achieving your best is to pay close attention and understand the basic techniques we will learn over the next few lessons.  
Activities
  • Introduction (20 mins)
  • Warm-up: Students choice (20 mins)
  • Tea break (15 mins)
  • Trainer: Gifs vs. jpegs (30 mins)
  • Exercise: Saving different files (30 mins)
  • Exercise : Retouching (120 mins)
  • Closing talk (10 mins)
  
Warming up
15 mins 		Chosen game  

By this time they should have the photos for the design and to have begun thinking of what they want to say about their hood.  
Theory
30 mins		 Trainer explains the differences between gifs and jpegs, their pros and cons and where to use which.  
Exercise: Saving files
30 mins		 The trainer shows different prepared files on a machine and a volunteer student has to step forth and save it for web in the format he/she thinks is right. The rest look on and after each they have to agree or disagree with the saving format their fellow student used. They have to give reasons for agreeing or disagreeing with the saving format. The trainer also has to show the use transparent gifs.

NB: Here the students also recap on how to save on the web and on the right directory. 		 
  Remember to prepare files that need to be saved as normal gifs, transparent gifs as well as jpg.  
Web safe colors
30 mins

The trainer explains a bit about these. Their history why they are an important consideration when making a designfor the web and how to make sure that you are using web safe colors in Photoshop.

  
Photo Retouching
30 mins

The trainer explains briefly what retouching is and why it is necessary. Then demonstrates the different ways of adjusting and manipulating an image/photo while the students look on.

  
Exercise
120 mins

The students are given 1 hr under the trainer's guidance. to experiment with various retouching and manipulating techniques as earlier demonstrated.

  
  Note that there are many effects that can be derived. They might experiment and go wild with a guinea pig image. Explore the possibilities.  
Afternoon

The students have to select the images the images they want to use for the neighbourhood project and retouch, adjust and prepare for use. They then have to save them in the right format and directory.

 
  Here you have to explain that the use of effects should be optimal and carefully thought of in terms of what they want to communicate, consistency, theme e.t.c.  
Closing Talk
10 mins		 There will be a discussion about what they have learnt and the trainer could for instance seek and explanation of when it should be appropriate to save in what format, why do we need to use web safe colors e.t.c  
Hand-out    
Homework    
Evaluation Printed lesson evaluation forms for the students to fill at home.  
Learning goals

Knowledge
- Be able to explain the difference between gifs and jpgso
- Be able to explain the relevance of web safe colors
Skills
- Be able to manipulate images
Attitudes
- That the program Photoshop can be a powerful design tool but should be used with care

  
Materials Please CTR+CLICK on or see;o
- Gifs-vs-jpg
- Websafe-colors		  
       
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