Intro to Digital Tools (OART-GT 2823)

This course will explore the basic tools of digital imaging. We will cover the three main Adobe products for creative imaging – Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. Through a series of short assignments we will look at various graphic design and layout ideas using Illustrator and InDesign and will touch on the wealth of image enhancement techniques afforded by Photoshop. The short assignments introduce the basics of design, typography and compositing images. Students have the opportunity to complete a small project of their own for the end of the term. Class time will be divided between lectures, critiques, and work in class sessions. This course is not intended to completely cover the software listed, but will give students a fundamental understanding of the possibilities of digital imaging. While the majority of the class focuses on print media (images, books and magazines), we discuss the growing importance of screen output. We do not have time to cover specific web or media projects, but will address transferable skills and understanding. We will incorporate some Adobe apps to augment the desktop applications. Additional reading materials will be distributed during the semester. Students should have access to the Adobe Creative Suite through the NYU license.

Open Arts Curriculum (Graduate)
4 credits – 15 Weeks

Sections (Fall 2021)


OART-GT 2823-000 (7363)
09/02/2021 – 12/14/2021 Tue
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Early afternoon)
at Washington Square
Instructed by Fallon, Catherine


OART-GT 2823-000 (7364)
09/02/2021 – 12/14/2021 Thu
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Early afternoon)
at Washington Square
Instructed by Fallon, Catherine

Intro to Digital Tools (OART-UT 823)

This course will explore the three main Adobe imaging products – Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. Structured as a dynamic exploration of design ideas and the adobe landscape, we’ll look at and explore the traditional design tools and methods along with many of the changes and enhancements AI is bringing to the digital design toolkit. Through a series of short exercises we will look at graphic design and layout using Illustrator and InDesign adding the image enhancement techniques in Photoshop. In the short exercises we’ll look at basic design concepts using typography, shapes and images to create layouts that are clear, simple and intuitive. More complex exercises will challenge your abilities to use images and typography to best express your goals in a variety of formats. You’ll also complete a small project of your own for the end of the class. Class time will be divided between work in class sessions, lectures, and feedback/critique sessions. This course is not intended to completely cover the software but will give you an understanding of which digital tool will best deliver your fresh ideas to the page. The majority of the class focuses on creating images, logos, books and magazines, but we cover the options of converting for screen output. We’ll incorporate some Adobe apps to augment the desktop and tablet applications. Depending on schedules, we will visit a gallery or museum during the semester. Students should have access to the Adobe Creative Suite through the NYU license.

Undergraduate