Welcome to the course Digital Media 10 /11
It is so great to have all of you in the course! We have so much to do and to learn. It is hoped that by the end of this course, you will have a comprehensive set of skills in new media and design. We will focus on developing our creative side with great scope for personal expressions while also being grounded in a strong technical foundation. Our course will take us from Photoshop to graphic design, to video editing skills, to architectural renderings, to advanced desktop layout techniques to achieving excellent in report creation. There is really no limit here to the digital learning we can accomplish,
I look forward to a great semester! :)
Create a one Drive share link - create an 'on line' spreadsheet for sharing course assignments
Create and Share links in ONE drive - A 'how to' guide
Example - T Linburg - (using Google Sheets - but you could use your Microsoft version of Excel)
T Linburg - grade and assessment link spreadsheet (adjust the share permissions to allow Mr. Linburg to edit) telinburg@sd43.bc.ca
Hand In Folder for Digital Media 10 / 11
Alternate 'drag' and drop box -
Create a labelled folder and drop ALL assignments in this folder
If you can't make up links for the spreadsheet, then create a folder with your full name on it and drag and drop all your files into this ONE folder only!
Link to access 'creative cloud' and Adobe Suite at home
(please install - Adobe Photoshop / Adobe Illustrator / Adobe InDesign / Adobe Premiere)
Module # 4 - Graphic Design with Adobe Illustrator!
Whole unit - Due:
In our next course segment, we will be moving on to learning about how to do graphic design work with Adobe Illustrator. Illustrator is an industry leading software for creating effective imagery, vector graphics and original stylized compositions. We will start by learning the tool suite and how to incorporate the new generative AI aspects to our compositons. We want to build out our compentencies to help us to create unique and impactful graphic compositions!
Introduction
Read / Respond
Question to answer:
What does graphic design mean to you?
Describe your perspective and offer some important examples from history
(refer to the second link)
Response link (complete your answer here and submit)
Introduction to Adobe Illustrator - Graphic Design - easy
(Create a 'mascot' or 'logo')
In our first segment we will be learning the essential tools of Adobe Illustrator by exploring typography, imagery and Generative AI tools to create a unique combination. Please note that using the generative AI tools are intended to guide us along but they are NOT the final destination. In other words, when the generative AI builds your mascot design, that is intended to be a jumping off point for further design changes. What else can you do to make your mascot and graphic work really stand out!
Here is the instruction set and a sample file set
Criteria
Create a unique mascot for a school club or another organization and the related typography and 'motto'
Use the generative AI tools but rework and reimage these system generated images.
Think of your design from a stylistic perspective - what type of impact are you trying to make? Old 'retro' look? Vintage? Modern and sleak? Remember, with our graphic work we are trying to create impact / feeling / connection to the digital work.
Project # 1 A study of Vector Graphics and the Gradient tool Suite in Adobe Illustrator
Due:
Create a landscape with effective use of gradients (both radial and linear) and incorporating shadow effects
Working with gradient tools - composition - layout
(use this tutorial as a guide - you may adjust the canvas or subject to suit)
Project # 2 Working with Shapes and Compositons in Adobe Illustrator - More Advanced
Choose one of the following projetst to complete. They are fairly technical with the 'brownstone' one being more difficult than the second option. In these projects, we get into the specific technical aspects of tonal compostion and graphic layering.
(1) New York Brownstone Cityscape
OR
(2) Tonal layered urban scene (a bit less technical option) (*) - step 5 clarificaiton)
(*) step five: Here’s what needs to be true for your steps to work:
Before You Add the Anchor
The rectangle must be a regular path, not a live shape.
If it’s still a “Live Rectangle,” you may need to:
Go to Object → Expand (if necessary), or
Use the Direct Selection Tool (A) and click once on the edge to convert it.
Smart Guides must be on
Go to View → Smart Guides
Shortcut: Ctrl + U (Windows) / Cmd + U (Mac)
Without Smart Guides, you won’t see:
The vertical guide line
The “intersect” or “center” hint
Correct Way to Add the Anchor
Select the rectangle.
Choose the Pen Tool (P).
Hover over the middle of the top edge
Wait until you see:
A vertical alignment guide
The word “intersect” or “center”
A small + (plus) next to your pen cursor
Click once.
That adds a new anchor point exactly at the midpoint.
Project # 3 Choice project - take a look at this vast cataloge to find TWO that you would like to complete! You can choose intermediate OR advanced - not beginner please ..you're way beyond that! :)
Advanced Project - choice options
OR
Course Module # 3 - Working with video files and Adobe Premiere.....
Due: Feb 25th, 2026
If possible, please bring your own cabled headphones for this unit!
Part A - Introduction to Adobe Premiere - The video development platform
Adobe Premiere - introduction - use the learning tutorials and the related downloaded files to learn the essentials of Adobe Premiere.
In 'Adobe Learn' , please select the 'Getting Started' from the top menu and complete the following introductory activities.
Please place all the 'learning modules' into ONE folder and then make just ONE one drive link to this folder. Label the folder "Premiere -learning-into" .
Please complete the following:
Get to know Adobe Premiere (download and follow the intro video)
Part I Cut trim extend clips Part II Editing and adjusting the timing of your clips
Part I - How to add titles and fade in and out effects / Part II - How to add in film credits 'roll and scroll' (make up your own for sake of practice!
How to create a 'mixed footage' production (this will be very helpful for the upcoming project where we pull media and video footage from different sources with different sizes and different frame rates. When we get to the project component, we will combine all these 'diverse' clips into a seamless production that 'LOOKS' like the all belong together.
Part B - Create a 'thematic' video production
Create a video project based upon downloaded or imported clips or your own recorded video. Note, once you have selected the final location for your files DO NOT MOVE THEM as Adobe Premiere will say 'clips cannot be found'!
How to adjust the frame speed of your clips down or up
Option # 1 - A THEME based compilation project incorporating Three Point Editing
3 Point Editing Project Essentials (the basics)
Make up a compilation project with strategically placed / spliced / and edited footage based on a THEME (eg. moments of triumph, bravery, fortitude or splendor or using footage strategically spliced together with transitions, music / special effects / credits - roll and crawl / incorporating THREE point editing (see above video)
OR
You could do a sports highlight reel in which you incorporate a universal theme such as perseverance, or thrill of victory or the agony of defeat.
Please be sure to incorporate the following:
A universal theme that the audience can understand through your presentation
Three point editing / music / transition effects / effects / slowing and speeding the frame speed / panning and zooming
Option # 2 - Create a THEME based 'artsy' montage
In this option you are tasked with completing a highly creative montage. Before we begin, please read this link to learn more about this style of editing. You will most likely need at least 15 short clips for this project as there are often divergent yet related themes and quick edits and film cuts.
Here are a few montage styles to choose from:
Style one - a traditional montage - footage centred around a universal theme
A collection of jumbled footage centered on a common theme (moments, emotions, time lapse)
"...The aim of montage editing is the opposite of continuity. Now you need to try everything you can to throw us off balance, to disorientate us and unsettle us. We get confused and disturbed. Weirdly, this doesn’t mean we disconnect from the movie; instead we get more involved, like a puzzle you can’t figure out..."
Style two - a parallel montage
Parallel montage is when you cut quickly between two separate locations, to show simultaneous events going on. They can be related or unrelated—but they connect in some way to a common theme or idea.
Style three - an accelerated montage
Accelerated montage is where you use faster and faster cuts to create a turbulent stream of images that the viewer just can’t process fast enough to keep up. The result is a big disorientating overload, but if the images relate somehow it should add up to an overwhelming theme or feeling. Usually one might build it up to a crescendo (climax) and then ending with sudden calm. In this style, the music plays an integral part of the sense of acceleration.
Examples of Montage in film...
Surfing montage (music and footage / transitions line up together)
Option # 3 - Create a movie trailer - either real / fictional / or documentary style
There is an entire genre to creating an exciting movie trailer. Quick edit cuts, use of black screen transitions, dramatic music, exciting story telling without giving the ending, teasing your audience to want more.
There are some key elements of the "movie trailer" that are important. Some of these include hinting at the story line and including abrupt scene changes and of course great music. It is suggested that you make a trailer based on your own movie concept from a collection of clips or else you could make up your trailer based on an actual cinematographic production
Take a look at some of these examples to learn more about this style!
Move Trailer Tips
Elements of a good movie trailer (with specific examples for each)
Documentary style (examples)
'Touching the Void' - great forshadowing - alluding to sequence of events
Feature film style (examples) (*) - This specific 'feature film' trailer is very hard to do since the source material is copywritten - please make up your own 'ficticious' trailer based on your own clips and interest.
Project outline
Step one - acquiring the relevant footage
Come up with a theme or a "big idea" for your project
Locate 7 to 10 short video clips to start from either you tube (audio) / vimeo (only if the creator allows - adds a 'download' button / or royalty free sites / Pexels /
A collection of still images (optional)
Decide if your project will be black and white / colour / retro grainy
MP3 song(s) or music tracks - these will need to be 'open sourced' - as most music is copyrighted and you won't be able to access. Here are some free 'open sourced' music files to choose from: 'Free to use' / Bensound (royalty free music for videos
Step two - importing the clips into Adobe Premier
Import the clips into the program and then move them over to the timeline as required. You will then use the timeline to cut / edit / splice / move / fade/ transition / add music and effects.
Step three - Rendering the final project
When you have completed your project, you need to 'fuse' and lock in all the changes to your project so that it plays as a final video and in a 'cohesive' whole.
Please follow these steps to complete the RENDERING process of your project. Note: this isn't 'save' as but it signifies that the project is now a stand alone video. Please save this as h264 (which is MP4 - the most common file format)
Project Criteria
Project run time 2 to 5 minutes -
minimum of ten clips
music - sound track / and short voice over (if it fits with your project - optional)
create a logo using 'Adobe Express' / text (either roll or crawl) AND stylized text for credits and project title
at least FIVE different transition styles between clips (fade to black could be one)
include at least one clip with colour stylization (see Lumertri link at the top of the page)
(EARN an EXTENDING by doing this - not required but optional)
Submit TWO versions of the same project - each one with a different music track and an entirely different stylization - eg black and white or faded film etc.... (so make a copy of the project BEFORE you do the final rendering)
Important Project resources
You will be incorporating many of these techniques in your final production (at least five different ones)
How to Import files into Adobe Premiere / download clips to your desktop / all the ways to edit a clip in 60 seconds (video) / video transitions / text graphics (add gradients to text) - text graphic effects / using Lumertri to colourize and stylize your clips / warp stabilization (remove wobble) / 5 fast and easy visual effects
To locate FREE clips please go to the following:
Royalty free video downloads (pexel) / Pixabay / Video net
OR
Project resources (for videos - sound clips etc.) -
When you have finished your project
(*) Note: please submit this project in either FLV OR MP4 file format!
Steps explaining how to export the file in one of these formats!
How to remove a watermark from a video (Adobe Premiere)
If your project gets 'unlinked' and the video files disappear ...here is a fix!
Open your project.
In the Project panel or timeline, find a clip marked Media Offline.
Right-click → Link Media…
Click Locate.
Navigate to the clip’s new folder location.
Select the correct file → OK.
Premiere will often reconnect the rest automatically if they’re in the same folder.
If lots are missing:
Select multiple offline clips
Right-click → Link Media
Check options like:
✔ Relink others automatically
Course Module # 2 - Photoshop fundamentals
Due: Friday Feb 20th 2026
Due to changes in the licensing arrangement all of you will have a specific paid Adobe Suite license for the semester. I am crossing my fingers that you are able to login starting on day 1.
Photoshop Introduction and Helpful Resources
Photoshop is a powerful design tool to help you to create unique and dynamic images. However, in order to get started, we need to learn about the core essentials of the program.
Reference guide that explains layers very well! Please take a look! (Must read this link)
Excellent "official" reference guide for Photoshop
PART A - Beginner use of layers introduction
Introduction
How to use selection tools in Photoshop.
video - 4 min (whole class)
Download zip files (Unzip them by moving them out of the zip folder before using them)
In this first course intro section we will be working off of the Adobe web site and using the three files offered here. Please download the zip file for this. You may substitute your own images if you would rather (be sure they are high quality)
1) Replicate the Photoshop tutorial video (use zip file images) - and then reinvent them in your own unique style
Image one (rose) - change the colours on the pedals (Colour replacement tool / Colour replacement version II ) add an effect / change the contrast / cut the flower on to a second layer
Image two (Red cliff) - select the rock face / change the brightness / change the "look" of the rock cliff in terms of lighting or colour or hue or saturation / select the sky portion and try to either replace it with a sunset or change the colouring the blue sky to make it a sharper contrast
Image three (checker board) - use the colour fill option for the side of the image / cut a non checker square and place it over a checker / make a few other modifications of your choosing.
Part B - Using the Rectangular / Elliptical Marque tool
Experiment with TWO images of a set of 'child's building blocks'. PLEASE SEARCH OUT AND DOWNLOAD TWO OR THREE PRACTICE IMAGES
The image should have at least twenty different blocks to work with.
You will use the following tools to adjust the blocks:
Rectangular Marquee tool / Elipitical marquee tool / Quick selection / Magic wand (all use to select parts of an image)- in concert with the Adjustment options to adjust the blocks and recreate the image.
Please read through this essential tutorial on the Rectangular marque tool explained here.
Part C - Use of the new "Generative Fill" AI option in Photoshop
Learn all about Generative image fill from this intro Video
Find TWO or THREE "high res" images of your choice...
Open Your Image: Launch Photoshop and open the image you want to edit.
Make a Selection: Use any selection tool (like the Lasso Tool or the Rectangular Marquee Tool) to select the area where you want to add, remove, or modify content.
Access Generative Fill: Once you have your selection, click on the Generative Fill button in the Contextual Task Bar that appears. Alternatively, you can go to Edit > Generative Fill from the menu bar.
Enter a Prompt: In the text-entry prompt box, describe what you want to generate. For example, you can type “add a sunset” or “remove the car”. If you leave the prompt blank, Photoshop will fill the selection based on the surrounding content.
Generate and Choose: Click on Generate. Photoshop will create several variations for you to choose from. You can view these variations in the Properties panel.
Adjust as Needed: If necessary, use the Transform Tool to resize or move the generated content. You can also make further adjustments by repeating the process.
Example only (use google 'tools' to find your hi res one) / other options
Part D - Layer Masks versus Clipping Masks - An essential Photoshop skill!
Please read this link which discusses this concept in great detail! (reference guide)
Instructions:
Practice both layer masking and clipping masks. In part one, you will have two different YET complimentary images on two different layers. You will use the brush tool (either black / white / grey) to reveal parts of the underlying image to create a 'blended image effect.
A) Complete this layer mask activity - please do this TWICE with two sets of images of your choice. Each one requires TWO different images on two layers. This is an important Photoshop skill to master.
B) Clipping mask - use these instructions - super easy! - please choose your own images to work with!
Part E - Create a Movie / Music / Poster Parody (ie Funny or ironical) / Event poster / other...
In this follow up activity to layer masking, we will our new skills with layer and clipping masks to create a poster that both combines images, reveals secondary images, add a 'thematic' clipping mask title and has been put together as a 'cohesive whole'. We would like you to find at least 10 different images to use in this project. You will reveal, cut, assemble, recombine and use the adjustment layer effects to create an overall impactful final poster.
Part A - Introduction:
Use the practice set from Adobe to work on composition and working with text type in an innovative way
Instruction Set from Adobe for Poster (use the zip file as a practice set)
Part B - Create an 'Event / Movie / Music /' Poster with a minumum of TEN images and an innovative title / font designs. Please also include at least ONE clipping mask title in the final production.
Making a Movie poster in Photoshop
Making a Movie poster (older instruction set)
Criteria
Must include: use of both layer and clipping masks / use of 'adustments to hue - satuaration / quick selection / several layers of blended graphics / be 'funny' or informative :)
How to 'soften' the edges of an image(s) to ensure the final compositon 'blends together' . Work on feathering or other techniques to make the image look like it was not just 'pasted in'.
Additionally, give some consideration to deploying impactful font for the title.
The psychology of font design (what impact are you trying to make? And how can font choice support that goal?)
We want the entire compostion to work together and appear as if all elements belong together!
More examples / how to use colour replace tool
Part F - Choose TWO Innovative Photoshop Projects
In this next segment, you will have a chance to 'stretch out' your skills with Photoshop. You may follow a few of these tutorials but feel free to substitute out the photos and subjects. Please personalize but please READ through the tutorials before starting as I have not had the time to do them all myself!
Choose TWO - take a look at the links below - only work through intermediate or advanced
Adobe Learn - Look through the project bank ideas
Second Project Link (Envato Tuts)
Module # 1 - Explore a Tool Suite and Explore Basic Compositional Ideas
Due:
Please download and install Krita if you don't have access
We are going to be 'course correcting' and starting with an excellent piece of drawing software called Krita.
In our first segment, we will be exploring the use of the Brush tool
Use of the Brush tool - basics / The various tool suite explained / All about layers
1 - Landscape(s)
Concepts covered:
patterns, texture, perspective, tone, landscape composition (Arial / Linear / Solar)
Please use the basic built in paint program you will find in the APP's. Our focus is on basic compositional techniques rather than complex software apps (that will come very soon)
realism versus abtractionism (a continuum)
Environmental brushes / Texturing with patterns
In our first introductoyr assignment, we will be using the diverse brush set to create a unique landscape(s). You may make more than one if time permits. Please explore the brush tip textures and various other features. You could try to create a lanscape with 'shocking' colours or contrasts (non 'realism') or you could create one with a soft blend of colours and tones. How this unfolds is up to you, please never shy away from your own personal creative ideas. This is an 'open ended' experimentation.
What makes a great landscape? Well a certain amount is up to creative inspiration but there are some well documented 'benchmarks' of skill:
"...a strong, balanced composition with a clear focal point, masterful use of light and value to create depth, a harmonious and expressive color palette, and varied texture and detail to convey a sense of realism and atmosphere..."
Landscape perspective (Arial / Linear / Solar)
Realism to Abstraction - a continum of expression (abstract art evolution)
See below for a way to get started. Your landscape theme can be anything you wish (this is only a guide - be as creative as possible - try for several 'renditions')
Create a quality landscape composition based on the links above (how to add in contrast or other features of perspective and depth of field.
Read the following link and create TWO projects.
Experiment with 'perspective in composition'
2. Create a scene with a collection of 'stacked shapes' letters or unusual forms (see above tutorial) - showing the essentials of perspective (could be a word or phrase)
3. Create an urban scene with perspective in the scene (see tutorial examples) - could add explicit geometry or the perspective could be implied (see links for details)