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

Check out the Design Guy Podcasts

The Design Guy is now up to 36 podcasts! Check them out and even subscribe to the iTunes podcast here.

This may be the best creative podcast, period. Nuggets of wisdom, brief, to-the-point, and spot on. All students and aspiring designers in any field would do well to subscribe to these free audio gems, and listen!

"The show that explores timeless design principles and explains them simply. We discuss graphic design in particular, and design in general, to equip you with lessons in process, inspiration, and practice. Get a new concept under your belt in mere minutes and unleash your creativity."

Clear and Effective Communication in Web Design

Smashing Magazine has a nice article on creating clear and effective web designs, with some great examples.

From the article:

Communication is one of the foundational elements of a good website. It is essential for a positive user experience and for a successful website that truly benefits its owners. All types of websites are affected by the need for good communication in one way or another. Regardless of whether the website in question is an e-commerce website, a blog, a portfolio website, an information website for a service company, a government website or any other type of website, there is a significant need to communicate effectively with visitors. 

[read more @ smashingmagazine.com]

Enter the Media Arts Competiton

The Multimedia & Entertainment Initiative is pleased to announce the 2009 Media Arts Award Competition, now in its 10th year. Last year more than $35,000 in software and special prizes were awarded to 50 community college and high school students.

This is a very important state-wide competition, and GCOM always tries to enter some or our students work. Last year, our own Vitaliy Zavorotny won for Graphic Design Promotional Materials. In fact, the competiton poster you see here was designed by him as well!

The winners are showcased at an award ceremony and featured on a DVD. A prize in the contest would look excellent on your resume. 

If you are interested, you can get all the info at www.cccmei.net/mediaarts/

In order to enter, you must also contact a GCOM instructor to submit the forms for you. So, we're waiting for you to come to us!

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