Happy 20th Photoshop!!

Today, Feb. 18 is the 20th Anniversary of the first public release of Adobe Photoshop.

To celebrate, the National Association of Professional Photoshop users are offering a one-day only free 6 month membership.
Sign up now for great digital imaging benefits.

Also, they have a link to a live video stream of tonight's anniversary celebration at 7:30pm pst.

Click here: NAPP Photoshop 20th

Photoshop geeks rule!

Three New GCOM Classes Available

The Graphic Communication has some great NEW & RETURNING COURSES for you to consider!

GCOM319: Print and Multimedia Publication Design

Formerly the Newspaper Design class, this is now a full multimedia publication focus: web, magazine and newspaper design and production. This class works closely with Journalism and Photography students to produce the student newspaper, Express, it's web site, SacCityExpress.com, the student magazine, Mainline and it's web site, and the annual Sussurus literary journal. This is one of our "real-world" classes that provides a true vocational work experience environment, and is highly recommended for students looking get a job in the graphic or web design field. It's Mon/Wed 4:00 - 6:30 schedule includes lab time and is very flexible.

For more info, contact Don Button: buttond@scc.losrios.edu

GCOM490: Graphic Communication Studio

Graphic Communication Studio will introduce career-driven design students to producing, creating, and completing real-world graphic design and Web design projects. Students will have the opportunity to develop a portfolio of completed projects. Students will also experience deadlines, the client-designer relationship, and strategies for presenting concepts and design work. This class meets Mon/Wed 3:00 - 5:10, schedule includes some supervised lab time and is flexible credit. For more info, contact Andrea Diaz-Vaughn: diazvaughn@gmail.com

GCOM332: Advanced Image Editing for Web/Multimedia, Using Adobe Photoshop

This new advanced digital imaging class will focus on some of the newest and most exciting features of Adobe Photoshop CS4: 3D modeling and texturing, video frame editing and effects, simple animation, and web graphics and web site prototyping. This class will be an excellent experience for any students focusing on animation, game design, and motion or web design. It is being offered as an Interactive TV course, which gives you the option to attend class in person, watch a live public access TV broadcast, or watch a streamed video online (which is great if you have a work or class conflict).

For more info, contact Don Button: buttond@scc.losrios.edu

GCOM390: Introduction to Motion Design using Adobe After Effects

This is our highly anticipated first offering of After Effects, the exciting and dynamic industry standard in motion design for web, interactive, broadcast and film graphics. This course is being offered with a scheduled, back-to-back lecture and lab. For more info, contact Don Button: buttond@scc.losrios.edu

Info Graphics Master to Speak...

Don't miss a great opportunity to see this special GCOM guest speaker presentation:

Nathaniel Levine

Sacramento Bee

visual journalist, graphic artists and digital illustrator

Friday, December 5

1pm in T-100

Nathaniel is an award-winning visual journalist who uses Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, and 3D applications to create 2D and 3D art, maps, charts, and interactive animations for both the printed newspaper and the Sac Bee web site.

This presentation will be very informative for all students interested in graphics, 3D, publication and journalism. There will also be plenty of time for question and answers.

See some of Nathiel's work here:

Interactive version of the map above
Interactive nail gun graphic

ADOBE CS4 is coming...

We don't know the exact date, but it will be released soon, and GCOM will be teaching all of our major classes in the Spring using CS4. (Although it won't be installed in the classes or lab until the holiday break)

There are a ton of fantastic new features and tools in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver, Flash, and Fireworks. Even Acrobat and Bridge will have some major improvements.

But you don't have to wait until January to see the new features. Detailed info about many of the best new upgrades can be found on a variety of web sites. To take a look at some the best new stuff, check out the three sites below. They offer articles and short videos on new features in all the Creative Suite applications:

Adobe TV

Peach Pit Press

National Assoc. of Photoshop Professionals