Distance Learning Courses

As online instructors, we teach multiple-level illustration and programming classes. Misty Canyon Designs brings the same attention to detail and high level of customer service to our online classrooms as we do to our online projects.

Graphics Classes | Web Design Classes | Programming Classes

Adobe Illustrator (Class No. G401) - Ever wondered how vector and raster graphics differ? Would you like to learn when to use CMYK color and when it's best not to? That and much more will be covered in Illustrator Level I. Designed for students with little or no knowledge of illustration programs, the course will cover the basics of computer illustration and its use in print and web-based media. Students will be introduced to the tools available in Adobe Illustrator, how to use them, how to work with objects, clip art, bitmaps (web-graphics), text, color and much, much more.

Course Prerequisite: Students should be comfortable with basic HTML in order to post their assignments to the web for download and grading.

Software Requirements: Because of the length of the class, students must have a full version of either Adobe Illustrator version 9, 10, CS or CS2 installed on their machines – a trial version will not offer sufficient time to complete the course. Lessons may be done in Illustrator version 9, 10 or CS.

Syllabus

Class Length: 8 Weeks
2012 Session Dates: January 9, March 19, May 29, August 6, October 15

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Introduction to Web Design (Class No. D313) - In this course, students will learn the basics of designing and developing a web site. We'll take a look at design issues specific to web-based presentations, learn web page layout, effective navigation and delve into the design process. We examine some of the how-to's, in's, out's and pitfalls of using graphics, color and fonts on web pages as well as working with tables and CSS. Some site management techniques are covered, accessibility issues and working with domains and clients discussed.

Course Prerequisite: Students must have webspace available to post assignments, and the ability to post their homework in that webspace. Student browsers should be equipped with the latest Flash Player and be able to play Quicktime movies. Students will need at least two browsers, Firefox and IE are recommended as cross-browser compatibility will be stressed. This course requires knowledge of basic HTML. Some familiarity with CSS and graphics editing, although not required, is helpful.

Software Requirements: FTP software for uploading assignments, such as WS_FTP at http://wsftp.com, an HTML editor such as Dreamweaver or a text editor such as Notepad for hand coding (the class does not teach students how to use HTML editors or code HTML). Although not required, students will find it helpful to have a photo processing application such as PhotoShop or PSP and drawing program such as Illustrator.

Syllabus

Class Length: 8 Weeks
2012 Session Dates: January 9, March 19, May 29, August 6, October 15

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Intro to Programming Concepts (Class No. P010) - This is a course for students who wish to learn the basics of computer programming; no prior programming experience is required.

The course will introduce basic programming terminology, concepts, and best practices. Students will learn to write programs using such constructs as loops, statements, variables, and functions. Good programming habits will be covered, as well as program design, flow charting and architecture, and debugging techniques.

Course Prerequisite: A basic understanding of browsers and rudimentary HTML knowledge.

Software Requirements:

• Any text editing software application: Notepad or Wordpad for Windows and BBEdit for Macintosh are a few good examples.
• An Internet browser: Firefox 3.0 or higher, Internet Explorer 7 or higher, Safari 3.0 or higher, Opera 6.0 or higher, or Google Chrome 1.0 or higher.
• A webspace to post assignments, preferably without banner ads.

Syllabus

Class Length: 6 Weeks
2012 Session Dates: January 9, March 19, May 29, August 6, October 15

HTML5 (Class No. H105) - HTML5 has been around for a couple of years now but the latest version of the language will undoubtedly change the way you think about web application development. Many of HTML5's features are now supported by most of the major browsers including Safari, Mozilla, Opera, and Chrome as well as smart phone browsers such as iPhone's MobileSafari. This introductory class will explore structure and structural elements, video, audio, geolocation, offline storage, dynamic graphic generation using a drawing canvas and much, much more.

Course Prerequisite: Students should be comfortable with basic HTML and basic CSS. Although not required, familiarity with JavaScript or basic programming is helpful.

Software Requirements: No special software is required for this course. But students will need webspace without ads to post homework assignments.

Syllabus

Class Length: 8 Weeks
2012 Session Dates: January 23

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