Lesson 1: Intro to Image Editing

Overview

We have been introduced to the career of graphic design with the video a day in the life of a Google graphic designer. In this lesson, you will learn initial graphic design skills.  You will use industry equivalent programs and learn how to start using a Photoshop like web app called Pixlr to create new image combinations from different images.

State Standard

California Career Technical Education - Arts, Media and Entertainment

A2.1 Demonstrate skill in the manipulation of digital imagery (either still or video) in an
industry-relevant application.

Objectives

You will learn:

• what a layer is in image editors.
• what a mask is and how to use it.
• what the wand tool does.
• what the brush tool does.
• how to import images to create new layers.
• how to create a new image composite.

Tasks and Activities

1) Watch the Concepts and Vocabulary Video here.

2) Go to the Padlet here and post why one concept in the video resonated with you or one example/analogy that is similar to one (or all) of the concepts within the video.  Additionally, respond to a posting that another student created, adding on to their ideas.

3) Watch the Pixlr Lesson here.  If you do not have flash downloaded or enabled, please download it from here and install it.

4) Go to Google and find and save two images into an accessible location - a background of a sky and the National University Logo.

5) Reproduce the composite image in the video at https://pixlr.com/editor/ and email your creation to roel.mislan@gmail.com.  In addition, send me the separate files of the background and logo you used as well.

6) Continue on finding backgrounds and logos of your choice to create a new composite image of your own.

Rubric

Grading of the composite image from task activity number 5 will be based on three areas.  It will use a 4 point scale with 4 being the highest.

Hyperlinks List and Resources

Concepts and Vocabulary -is a video to develop understanding of the actual assignment.
Padlet is a tool to allow expression of learning as well as collaboration with other students.
Pixlr Lesson is the direct instruction for the lesson.
Flash Download is the digital resource needed to run the lesson software.
Pixlr Editor is the image editing software to demonstrate graphic design skills.
Graphic Designer at Google is the context from previous lesson introducing Graphic Designers.
Additional Resources is one of many lists that outline further exploration on image editing skills.

Conclusion

You have begun to understand the concepts of layers and how they fit within the graphic design along with tools such as the wand selection, brush and layer mask.  Practice the initial skills and become comfortable with the base concepts learned within this lesson.  Try adding additional layers and layer masks to create a more complex composite.  We will continue to build upon those skills and learn more designing concepts as we progress in the course.  If you wish to expand your skills further than the course, please feel free to research the additional resources listed above to expand your knowledge.  Design a better future!

- Mr. Mislan