Seattle Start Here

Basic Skills

All our classes, including the ones on this page, require essential computer skills:
Click here to show the list.

Also, here are some tutorials on Windows and Mac basics: Windows | Mac

Prerequisite Classes

Our prerequisite classes cover key concepts and software skills required to do photography or print or web publishing. Look over the descriptions below.

If you are familiar with the concepts and have the skills these prerequisite classes provide, you should feel free to move directly to our Essentials courses.

If you live far from our Seattle classroom, but still need these preliminary skills and ideas, you should contact us to find out what you can do to prepare for our main curriculum.

Prerequisite & Related Classes:

Desktop Publishing Overview

$149 — Skill Level: Introductory — one–half day, 9:30am–12:30pm

Required knowledge for learning InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop. Learn the terms and concepts required to build publications, edit images, and create logos and other graphics. We'll talk about and briefly explore each of these software applications as well as learn about color, file formats, resolution, and more. If you have some experience with these ideas and know the role each program plays, you may skip this class.

Graphic Design Overview

$275 — Skill Level: Introductory — one day, 9:30am–4:30pm

A discussion-driven class on design principles and fundamentals for those who would like a quick but solid overview of compositional rules and principles.

Web Publishing: HTML & CSS Overview

$199 — Skill Level: Introductory — one day, 9:30am–4:30pm

This class delivers the knowledge you need to begin building websites or to learn Dreamweaver. You'll get a hands-on introduction to HTML (including a bit of HTML5) and CSS and the terms and concepts required to do web design and development. If these are familiar, you may skip this class. If you're new to web publishing, start here.

Flash Overview

$199 — Skill Level: Introductory — one day, 9:30am–4:30pm

Flash is the industry-leading tool for creating expressive interactive content for desktops, smartphones, tablets and televisions. This optional class delivers the knowledge you'll need if you have never used Flash but wish to begin. It's an especially good starting place if you are transitioning from working exclusively in 2-D (print design, etc.)—or if you are trying to expand your existing web skills to create graphics that move. In this class, you will become familiarized with Flash's interface, concepts, and core procedures before tackling our intensive 2-day Flash Essentials class. (If you have been exposed to these already, you may skip this class).