

Unit 1: Collages and Photography
To produce quality images for print, web, and video, students need to understand essential graphic design principles and how digital images are created. In this project, students learn the basics of photography, image composition, and elements of visual design as they create a collage. Students take photos and gather images, identifying elements of visual design and good composition. They use Photoshop to retouch and manipulate these photos and images to build a collage.
Student product: Collage
Unit Overview
Unit Activities
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
Unit 2: Logos
In this project, students view sample logos and discuss color theory and design principles used in the logos. Students plan, create, and build a logo in Adobe Illustrator for use in other publications such as business cards, menus, or advertisements. Students learn about file formats, resolution, and image size and select appropriate settings for a variety of final product scenarios.
Student product: Digital logos optimized for web, print, and video
Unit Overview
Unit Activities
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
Unit 3: Business cards
In this project, students create a business card in Adobe InDesign, and in the process, they learn about typography and layout design. Students also investigate how tone, audience, and purpose impact design decisions, whether they're representing themselves or an organization. Finally, students engage in a formal review and redesign process to help them improve and expand their design skills.
Student product: Business cards and PDF slideshow presentation
Unit Overview
Unit Activities
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
Unit 4: Advertisements
In this project, students are introduced to the process of working with a client through an advertisement project. They work with a client to identify the goals, audience, and purpose of an advertisement. Working in small groups, students interview clients and then design and provide multiple comps of their advertisement design to the client. Students build their client advertisements for placement in print, web, and video collateral.
Student product: Advertisement
Unit Overview
Unit Activities
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
Unit 5: Portfolios
Individuals use portfolios to showcase their work when applying for a job, pitching to clients, or applying for higher education. In this project, students create the elements of a portfolio that features work they have completed and work to be completed, concentrating on a particular career area. As students create their portfolios, they plan, implement, and test their designs; students then reflect on and evaluate their work.
Student product: Portfolio
Unit Overview
Unit Activities
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
Unit 6: Brochures
A brochure is traditionally a paper collateral that informs people about a product, service, or location. In working with clients, students will further enhance their design and technical skills by creating a brochure, using advanced image manipulation techniques and page layout design. Students will create a paper brochure for physical distribution and an interactive digital brochure for distribution on the web.
Students product: Brochure
Unit Overview
Unit Activities
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
Unit 7: Newsletters
Newsletters are publications that are distributed on a regular basis to a target audience who share a common interest. They can be used to promote products or services; to maintain relationships, as in alumni newsletters; or to offer information on a particular organization. In this project, student teams create the theme, purpose, and content of a newsletter and design the page layout and graphic elements with InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Acrobat.
Student product: Newsletters
Unit Overview
Unit Activities
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
Unit 8: Mini-yearbooks
A yearbook, or annual, is frequently used to record, commemorate, and highlight a school year. At most institutions, student teams publish yearbooks. In this project, students form teams to develop and create a yearbook. The students create templates of several double-page layouts and create reusable graphics and illustrations to implement thematics and design consistency throughout the yearbook.
Student product: Mini-yearbook
Unit Overview
Unit Activities
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
Unit 9: Final Portfolios
In this project, students refine the elements of their portfolio and feature new work that have completed since the initial creation of their portfolio. As students refine their portfolios, they plan, implement, and test their re-designs; students continue to reflect on and evaluate their work.
Student product: Final portfolio
Note: Unit 9 is a follow-up to Unit 5, utilizing the same instructional content.
Unit Overview
Unit Activities
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
-
Lesson Plan Posted on 11/11/13 By {authorname}
Faith Sya Amuchie
Posted on 10/4/18 - Permalink
Excellent! Well done. Great resources included.
Judy Durkin
Posted on 8/22/18 - Permalink
Yikes. A lot of great stuff here.
Carol Pearsall
Posted on 7/30/18 - Permalink
The link to the curriculum is broken... https://edex.adobe.com/digital-careers-activities....
Adobe Education
Posted on 8/2/18 - Permalink
Thank you, Carol,
for bringing this to our attention. Please try this link: https://edex.adobe.com/digital-careers-activities/ and let us know if it worked alright for you.
The EdEx Team
Asia Saunders
Posted on 7/29/18 - Permalink
Where can I find the update to Adobe CC2018 for this course? The link provided in the comment below does not work.
Adobe Education
Posted on 8/2/18 - Permalink
Hello Asia,
Thank you for your interest in this curriculum. Please try this link and let us know: https://edex.adobe.com/digital-careers-activities/
Cheers,
The EdEx Team
Benji Derdeyn
Posted on 1/30/18 - Permalink
I was sent a message saying that the curriculums had been updates to Adobe CC 2018 but it seems here they are not as of yet. Is there any plan to update the Visual Design Course in the near future?
Adobe Education
Posted on 1/31/18 - Permalink
It seems the bundled download has not updated. Until it is if you click on each individual activity or go here for the list of activities as they are all updated https://edex.adobe.com/digital-careers-activities/
A few things to note: For this update we have only updated the technical tutorials because we updated the activity lesson plans last year and, save for the Getting Started with Photoshop, the lessons did not need to be updated for this release. However, we have not updated the project management and collaboration; design; research and communication-based lessons. That is in the pipeline and we are hoping to update those this year. Does this help you get what you need for now? We will work on getting the bundled download working so it has the most updated material.
Cheers,
The AEE Team
Randy Parazine
Posted on 8/21/17 - Permalink
Every assignment I try tells me the link is no longer active. Help anyone?
Adobe Education
Posted on 8/21/17 - Permalink
Are you clicking on "Lesson Plan" - instead click the title of the lesson above.
Randy Parazine
Posted on 8/21/17 - Permalink
I had downloaded all the documents and unzipped all the files and started using them for my classes. I've checked several lessons and every time I get to something like this... Download the assets used in this tutorial here. The creative cloud opens and I get this message...Sorry, this link is no longer active.
Adobe Education
Posted on 8/22/17 - Permalink
I'm sorry for the trouble you are having. I just tried and I'm not able to recreate the issue in several guides throughout the curriculum - the link opens for me and I'm then able to download the .zip file. For example the How to work with layers photoshop guide links me here and the How to place images, graphics, and video on a page Indesign guide goes here . Is it all of the technical guides you are having this issue - can you tell me the name of a specific one so I can test one I know you're having a problem with. Hopefully we can resolve this for you quickly. And you can also email us edex@adobe.com so we can work with you further.
Randy Parazine
Posted on 8/22/17 - Permalink
When I click on the links you have in blue mine goes to the creative cloud and I get a message that says "sorry this link is no longer active"
Sylvan Adams
Posted on 8/5/16 - Permalink
You made my day even brighter...thank you soooo much!
Jamie Steffl
Posted on 8/5/16 - Permalink
This is a great start for this veteran teacher and adobe user. My school recently approved adding graphic design to our curriculum. It has been years since I taught these applications so this resource is much appreciated. Thanks,
Jamie Steffl
Sylvan Adams
Posted on 5/25/16 - Permalink
Thank you so much!
I am a newbie at all of it. Although I am an artist and an art teacher, merging digital and "real" paint, charcoal and clay is fascinating and challenging. I am striving to have one medium, method, view, inform the other.
Dhani Ariatmanto
Posted on 3/18/16 - Permalink
i love this. i starting downloading this syllabus and using it for my teaching. Thanks
Steve Williams
Posted on 12/15/15 - Permalink
I love how this is organized. I will be using it as a course organizer for a Digital Communications course. Thanks
Adobe Education
Posted on 12/16/15 - Permalink
That is great to hear thanks for the feedback Steve and so glad you can use it!
Cheers,
The AEE Team
LeNelle Cobbs
Posted on 8/23/15 - Permalink
I am studying for the ACA, these tools are a tremendous help. Thanks.
Malik Shaiq
Posted on 8/18/15 - Permalink
Excellent information about project management , digital imaging but these are basics not professionals. Albeit contents are very good and well organized.
Yasar Butt
Posted on 5/6/15 - Permalink
Adobe is always a best source of knowledge and completed diagnose ability... Thanks Adobe
Jessica Gauci
Posted on 11/15/14 - Permalink
This is great! I will be using with my Year 11 Photography and Digital Imaging class in 2015. Thank you! :)
Adobe Education
Posted on 11/17/14 - Permalink
That's great Jessica! Let us know how the syllabus works for you and what we can do to make it better.
Carol Pearsall
Posted on 10/14/14 - Permalink
In the past, there were asset files that accompanied the ACA Curriculum to enable teachers to "I do" easily. I don't see any asset files for any of the ACA Visual Design activities. Am I just overlooking this?
Adobe Education
Posted on 10/15/14 - Permalink
We no longer supply the asset files due to copyright issues. You need to supply you're own asset files. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Cheers,
The AEE Team
Judy Durkin
Posted on 8/9/14 - Permalink
I have a small class for yearbook this year. I am going to hold their hands, wade through the curriculum and then take the 2-hour High Speed Rail trip to Taipei to have everyone pass the ACA exam! YES. I AM determined.
LaDale Whaley
Posted on 7/30/14 - Permalink
I've been looking for material like this! Thanks for the resources.
sandro c mendes
Posted on 7/30/14 - Permalink
This syllabus looks excellent! Tks and congrats ;)
Mike Renne
Posted on 7/25/14 - Permalink
Really looks great! I am excited to begin using this curriculum in the Fall. Thanks for the time and energy spent preparing this.
maritza hurtado
Posted on 7/14/14 - Permalink
Loved all the PPT files included with the Lesson Plans. I also found the tips/suggestions to relate to artwork styles genius. This is just what I need to start teaching Graphic Design at a High School level.
Karen Henchy
Posted on 5/26/14 - Permalink
This is just what I need as I start a visual design class next school year! Thanks so much, Perfect!
Dena Wilson
Posted on 5/20/14 - Permalink
So glad to get good information about project management, copyright and design principles along with the great skills based instruction. Thanks!
Hamed Hritani
Posted on 5/14/14 - Permalink
Thorough & well organized... Perfect for academic use, not professional training.
Thank you for all this effort.