VISUAL AND GRAPHIC DESIGN

LESSON 3: USE OF EDITING SOFTWARE

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INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the third lesson for Visual and Graphic Design!

The practical knowledge of utilizing tools and software for editing is fundamental in being able to create visual communication materials. It takes skill and know-how to be able to manage editing software, and in learning how to manage them we will be able to communicate our messages efficiently and effectively.

In this lesson, we will learn about the different basic editing software and the basics of utilizing each. This lesson will provide an overview of basic tools and instruction, and will discuss what differentiates each software from one another. Throughout the lesson, learners will learn how to put these softwares to use and effectively create their own visual materials.

Lesson Objectives:

At the end of the lesson, participants should be able to:

Enumerate the different editing software;
Discuss the functions of the different editing software;
Demonstrate basic knowledge of utilizing the editing software; and
Produce their own visual materials using the editing software.

Study Hour/s: 1.5 hours

Lesson Assessment: Quiz via Google forms

USE OF EDITING SOFTWARE

Adobe is a multinational software company based in the U.S.A. that specializes in producing content software that publishes graphics, photography, illustration, videography, print, and more. Founded in 1982 by John Warnock and Charles Geschke, Adobe grew to become one of the prominent software companies in the world today.

In this lesson, we will discuss three of its software that will be used to produce visual materials: Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

DISADVANTAGES

Adobe software applications are not free, and not everyone has access to acquire subscription-based software. These applications also take up a lot of space and that not all devices could cater to their utility. Aside from that, learning how to use these software applications also takes skill and practice. Being able to proficiently use these software applications takes practice and numerous usage. Not everyone could be comfortable using these applications.

ADOBE PHOTOSHOP

Adobe Photoshop is a graphics editing software by Adobe systems that focuses on manipulating images and producing graphics.

Adobe Photoshop Logo

You can also check out this Photoshop User Guide from the Adobe Help Center website:

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/user-guide.html

ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR

Adobe Illustrator is another graphics editing software by Adobe systems, but focuses more on producing vector graphics. Also called vector art, vector graphics are formats that could be scaled to any size without the risk of pixelation. Raster graphics (which are mainly produced in Photoshop), on the other hand, are based on pixels and could be pixelated when scaled to larger sizes.

Adobe Illustrator Logo

You can also check out this Illustrator User Guide from the Adobe Help Center website:

https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/user-guide.html

ADOBE INDESIGN

Adobe InDesign is also another graphic designing software by Adobe systems, which focuses more on page layout and desktop publishing content. It can be used to create newsletters, brochures, flyers, magazines, and posters.

Adobe InDesign Logo

You can also check out this InDesign User Guide from the Adobe Help Center website:

https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/user-guide.html

comparison of the three adobe softwares

ALTERNATIVE EDITING SOFTWARE: canva

Canva is a graphic design platform that was launched in 2013 by Melanie Perkins, Cliff Obrecht and Cameron Adams. It is a free-to-use platform wherein users can create and design their own graphic design content. The platform makes use of free stock elements and templates that offer its users an easier and more convenient way of producing visual content.

Unlike Adobe software that could have limited access to the employees of UPLB, Canva offers free use for UP constituents, with the use of their own UP email. In this lesson, Canva is introduced as an alternative editing software for more convenient means of producing visual content for UPLB employees.

Here are other pages that could help in learning how to use and manage Canva:

Canva Tutorial

https://designschool.canva.com/tutorials/

A step-by-step guide to designing from scratch | Canva

https://www.canva.com/learn/a-step-by-step-guide-to-designing-from-scratch/

5 smart ways to use Canva for social media

https://www.canva.com/learn/5-smart-ways-to-use-canva-for-social-media/

SUMMARY

The ability to produce visual materials that will deliver concise messages is a skill. Modern technology has given us numerous software and applications to be able to produce visual materials. After discussing the basic design principles and the UPLB branding, we will now use that knowledge to produce the outputs we will be using in UPLB.

Adobe software is chosen for consistency and efficiency. These include Adobe Photoshop (for raster graphics editing, poster-making, image manipulations, and infographics), Adobe Illustrator (for vector graphics editing, poster-making, and illustrating), and Adobe InDesign (for publication layouting, newsletters, brochures, and etc.). These three software all have numerous similarities, especially resembling each other’s workspaces and interfaces. Numerous tools and functions differentiate each software, and different file formats are focused by each software. JPEG files are usually the outputs of Photoshop, PNG for Illustrator, and PDF for InDesign.

Because utilizing Adobe software takes practiced skill, and sometimes poses a challenge for user access, an alternative editing software that is accessible to all UP constituents can also be utilized: Canva. Canva is an online graphic design platform that offers its users to create graphics easily using stocked elements and templates that vary different types of outputs. It is mainly centered around social media graphics and visual content. It offers more access since the platform is free.

Congratulations on finishing Lesson 3: Use of Editing Software!

Now, let's put your knowledge to the test. For this lesson's Assessment Activity, you will be creating a visual material using either Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign; and create or open a Canva account and produce one visual material as well. Please take note of the UPLB branding.