NCSAD has a very good discount on the Adobe CC suite. Learn more here: Here’s the details of NSCAD discount on the Adobe CC Suite - it’s a very good deal, only $40/semester. Adobe NSCAD Student discount. (Brightspace link)
We will use the class Brightspace site only for limited tasks - submitting assignments and receiving feedback on assignments. Class content will be found at the web site you are using now.
Please sign up for a Slack account using the emailed link provided. Slack will be our main communication tool.
Make sure you can access Youtube videos.
Please download the Zoom app in case we have to switch to online classes.
Microsoft VS Code is free, and works on Mac, Windows and Linux systems. You can download a copy here.
For this class, we will be using industry-standard tools, where-ever possible. However, there are alternatives that are cheaper or free, that you may want to investigate.
Affinity makes software similar to Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. They are far cheaper than Adobe's offerings and you pay a one-time licence fee, not a monthly subscription. However, don't expect all the features of the Adobe programs, and don't expect complete file compatibility with team members, clients or suppliers using Adobe software.
Affinity Photo has many of Photoshop's capabilities.
Affinity Designer is a modern alternative to Illustrator for basic work.
Affinity Publisher is a reasonable substitute for InDesign.
Open source software is free to share or modify. The source code - the computer code that is transformed into the program you use - is available to anyone with few restrictions, unlike closed-source commercial software.
In some disciplines, such as programming and web development, open source tools are the norm, or at least are on an equal footing with closed-source, commercial tools. In the graphics world, many open source tools are less refined that their closed source counterparts, but as they are free to use, are often practical alternatives to commercial software.
While the free nature of open source software is attractive, many open source design applications lack the polished interface and advanced features of commercial software, an as they are rarely used in professional work, can lead to compatibility issues when working collaboratively. So far, no open source application has managed to seriously challenge any of Adobe's offerings.
Bitmap editing