The Occupation and Training Process
What's it all about? The student is introduced to the world of computer graphics: overview of course content, presentation and understanding of department's general policy, and trade and training process. Students are encouraged to reflect on and confirm career choice.

Keyboarding
Increase your speed! Keyboarding skills, essential in the desktop publishing field, are learned and practiced via tutorials, exercises, and games to attain a speed of 20 words per minute. Introduction to the computer includes functions and components, word processing and formatting, file management, printing, using the network server, and creating PDF files. Introduction to the Internet includes its history, browsers, navigation, e-mail & attachments, etc.

Visual Communication
Create a layout! A manual production of a semi-comprehensive layout, consistent with clients’ needs, is the first step toward the finished job. Students learn to apply elements and principles of design; to use type and colour, and to select appropriate illustrations. They analyze, plan, and create layouts, and present work to the class. Visual analysis of existing websites is also covered.

Black and White Illustration
Enjoy line art! Students learn the basic functions and tools of vector-based illustration software to trace given images/logos, create and manipulate type, use layers and masks, and save and print files. Theory of black-and-white scanning is covered.

Proofreading
Spot the typos! Mistakes cause problems for clients, especially if a job must be redone. With stress placed on the importance of error-free work, students practice proofreading and marking up a variety of copy using proofreaders’ marks. They learn to understand and clearly communicate the printed word through comprehensive reading, creative writing, and use of spelling and grammar rules and resources. Emphasis is placed on correct text entry (including French text) and further formatting features.

Typography
Fun with fonts! The focus is on the importance of quality typesetting to appeal to the reader and sustain interest. Examining the history, anatomy and characteristics of type enables students to categorize, use, and appropriately combine typefaces. Efficient use of advanced word-processing and typesetting techniques, reinforcement of keyboarding speed, correct use of punctuation marks, proofreaders’ marks, and typographic rules is learned.

Black-and-White Image Processing
Touch up images! Scanning and manipulating images is an important part of the student’s education. Via Photoshop’s tools and basic functions, they learn to adjust and alter line art and grayscale images. Following theory on resolution, they scan images, converting colour images to black and white or duotone. Various other modification techniques are presented.

Production of a Comprehensive Layout
Let your creativity show! Students apply layout and design principles and colour theory to analyze, plan, produce, and present a comprehensive print layout according to a client’s instructions. Websites are looked at as well: identifying and illustrating different components/features and creating a site map.

Monochrome Page Layout
Fun with Quark! From written instructions, a given comprehensive layout, scanned images, and written text to be keyboarded, students produce a single-colour digital page layout. Advanced features of electronic page-layout software (master pages, auto numbering, linking text boxes, etc.) are used during this module. Students learn to prepare files for film output.

Imposition
Which way up? With specifications given, students calculate the most efficient imposition method, then produce imposition layouts. Theory includes imposition and calculation techniques, page orientation, and parameters required for platemaking. Both manual and digital imposition are learned.

Films for a Monochrome Document
One colour goes a long way! Using the imagesetter and the film processor, students produce films for single-colour documents. They learn to inspect these films with respect to the usual trade standards: densitometry, resolution, screen ruling, imposition, file formats, etc.

Colour Illustrations
"Look Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore!" As well as the reinforcement of tracing and transformation tools, advanced functions and tools of illustration software are learned and used. Students apply colour theory to create perspective drawings, display type, masks, patterns, and gradients; learn to use filters; and do trapping, colour separation and printing. Web theory includes awareness of the rationale for using illustration software in the production of web pages.

Colour Image Processing
See it, then believe it! Learning the setup of a scanning work station and reviewing resolution principles, students scan colour images which they edit, retouch, and colour correct. They learn to use spectrometry and calibration for colour printing. Web-related work includes producing RGB and index-coloured images, reviewing various file formats and file management, and using ImageReady for rollovers and basic animation.

Telecommunications Media
The Wonderful World of Web! Students learn to use an internal network and the Internet:. Internet terminology, e-mail, producing PDF files, and production of a client’s Web Home Page are the focus. Included are advanced slicing, HTML coding, layout techniques, animation, and troubleshooting.

Colour Page Layout
Putting the pieces together! Students are required to produce a two- or three-colour page layout for both offset and web according to specifications, sketches and elements of design provided (text, photos and illustrations). Appropriate typeface and colour choice, trapping, file decompression, and colour separation complete the process.

Computers in the Workplace
Know your computer! Students learn how to correctly connect peripherals, use software utilities, install software applications, organize the system folder, adjust memory settings, maintain the hard drive, solve problems, access technical support and info via Internet, create a CD-Rom for backup purposes.

Four-Colour Page Layout
A colourful impression! Provided with written instructions and all elements of design, students produce a full-colour (four-colour process) layout, beginning with a rough or semi-comp. They are required to do trapping, setup for the service bureau, and colour proofing.

Films for a Colour Document
Going from file to press and beyond! Using the imagesetter, students produce colour-separated films for process printing. They trouble-shoot the electronic files (pre-flight) and then inspect the film output with respect to trade standards of: resolution, screen ruling, imposition, density, etc. They strip the films, make and inspect colour proofs and then burn plates for the press.

Quality Control
The proof is in the pudding! Using previously-printed four-colour jobs, students learn to identify problems, their possible causes, and to present solutions to ensure problem-free high-quality printing.

Bidding on Projects
It's the bottom line! Following guidelines, students learn to estimate the costs involved in the pre-press phases of production of a job: analysis of project, phases of production, production costs, cost of materials, sub-contracting for presswork and finishing operations.

Teamwork
Go, Tiger go! While working as part of a team, students are required to display attitudes and behaviour as expected in the industry. They will integrate previously-learned software applications and usual trade practices to complete typical commercial printing projects.

Career Development
First and lasting impressions! To prepare themselves for the job market, students prepare an attractive error-free résumé, an accompanying cover letter replying to a mock job offer, and a portfolio containing their best work. They discuss their skills during a mock interview. They also present a detailed job-search plan, listing companies that match their interests.

Entering the Labour Market
At every end is a new beginning! In collaboration with the teacher, students find, select, apply for, and prepare for a practicum (stage) where they will observe, perform or participate in a variety of occupational tasks. They will keep a record of their observations and share their experiences with their classmates.