announcements

Design/production
tips on basic graphic design for print deliverables and production workflows.
Typography
a science in and of itself, here we'll cover typographic best practices.
Adobe InDesign
basic UI overview to advanced layout and automation techniques.
Adobe Illustrator
basic UI overview to advanced vector and raster illustrator techniques.
Click the lessons shown in the table to the right. Password access (where applicable) is required when accessing the lessons from this page.
Not enrolled as a student in any of my programs, but would like subscribe to the learning materials? We can arrange that too. Use the form below to pay via PayPal services. Subscription costs $50, and is non-expiring*.
Would you like private 1:1 instruction in any of the topics listed at the left? If so, fill out the form below, and I'll help you tailor a learning experience to help you get up and running at your own pace. Once I receive your request, I'll provide you with a proposal for instruction duration, and cost. Your first 60 minute 1:1 session will always be free. I'm also available for groups up to 10.

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James D. Kramer design services!

In addition to design services, I am also engaged in both public and private instruction. Here, you'll find much of my learning documentation. The lessons are password-protected, so only those students who have gone to the expense of paying for these materials will have non-expiring access*. To navigate the learning materials, use the links at the left for the varied subject matter. Materials which are course-specific will be indicated as such.

As a current or former paying student of any of my programs, you will have access to the topics you've studied with me. If you are not currently a paid student in any of these programs, you can find out about enrolling through the form to the left.

Courses of Study and course documentation

Students should note that much of the in-class lectures are not given specifically to the prepared lessons. The lessons presented here will not include some topics of discussion, and task-oriented sidebars that will be raised during course lectures.

Intermediate Adobe Publishing; this 8-week (16 hours) class assumes at least a base-line understanding of the following applications; Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, and Microsoft Word. Other applications (such as Adobe Bridge and Adobe Acrobat) will also be discussed and used during class. The course will discuss recommended best practices to using all the applications to create a complete publishing workflow. Also included in class discussion will be some neccessary discussion on editorial, production, and editorial techniques in the industry. (The links that follow require user name and password access.)
Download course documentation
Download course source files

Introduction to Adobe InDesign CS4; This 6-week (12 hours) class assumes a basic understanding computer use, but is designed for the student with little or no experience within the InDesign application. The course will introduce the students to the application user-interface, and will provide hands-on exercises in the most commonly used tasks. Course documentation may cover tasks not presented during class time. Students are encouraged to bring projects to class that they are working with for class discussion. (The links that follow require user name and password access.)
Download course documentation
Download course source files

Introduction to Adobe Illustrator CS4; This 6-week (12 hours) class assumes a basic understanding computer use, but is designed for the student with little or no experience within the Illustrator application. The course will introduce the students to the application user-interface, and will provide hands-on exercises in the most commonly used tasks. Course documentation may cover tasks not presented during class time. Students are encouraged to bring projects to class that they are working with for class discussion. (The links that follow require user name and password access.)
Download course documentation
Download course source files

CHANGE IN CLASS TIME. For my 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm Illustrator students, be awar ethe time for the remaining sessions has been moved to 9:00 am - 11:00 am as discussed in class. This change will be effective Saturday, 10/24 through the remaining course sessions.

Taking the course(s) at Everett Community College? Students should note that the computer lab at EVCC we'll be using is equipped with Macintosh computer systems. The specific lessons will be applicable as presented in class on Windows machines. Introductory instruction as to the operation of the Mac systems in use will be provided during the first session.

Can't access the lessons?

If your user name and/or password are not gainging you access to the lessons, please email me, and I'll help you get the issue resolved ASAP.

Course Slide Decks

Students should note that much of the in-class lectures are not given specifically to the slide decks. The slides merely provide an outline and high-level overview of the topics to be discussed during a particular session.

 

My sincerest appoligies to past students. I had the best of intentions of updating all the lessons on this site over the summer of 2009. My only defense being; life intervened. What else can I say? However, that said, I have been working diligently throughout August and September to revise and expand all my teaching materials. I've also been working to make them more accessible, while remaining secure, so the information that you have paid for is not distributed willy-nilly for free to every Tom, Dick, and Harry out on the internet. (see preceeding sections for details)

All lessons, documentation, and art work used within the examples are copyright James D. Kramer design services. All rights reserved. Distribution by any means without the expressed written permission of the copyright holder is prohibited. James D. Kramer and James D. Kramer design services is not affiliated with Adobe Systems. Inc.

"Adobe Photoshop", "Adobe InDesign", "Adobe Illustrator", "Adobe Acrobat", "Adobe Bridge", and "Adobe Systems" are the registered trademark of Adobe Systems, Inc. "Macintosh" is the registered trademark of Apple, Inc. "Microsoft Word," "Microsoft Windows," and "Microsoft" are the registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.