Course Syllabus

Fall 2026 | ART-1210-VO02 - Introduction to Adobe Creative Cloud

Online Class

Online courses take place 100% online via Canvas, without required in-person or Zoom meetings.

Faculty

Darren Spafford
View Faculty Credentials
View Faculty Statement
Hiring Coordinator for this course: Dana Lee

General Education Requirements

Digital and Computing Literacy

Note

Many degree programs have specific general education recommendations. In order to avoid taking unnecessary classes, please consult with additional resources like your program evaluation, your academic program catalog year page, and your academic advisor.

Courses may only be used to meet one General Education Requirement.

Course Description

This course is an introduction to the industry-standard software for professional designers. Students develop basic skills within the Adobe Creative Cloud software, applying their digital workflow across multiple Adobe programs to achieve effective solutions to design assignments. Students gain skills with design research, experimentation, and creative thinking across multiple projects in print and digital composition.

Essential Objectives

1. Demonstrate fundamental skills across multiple Adobe apps using raster images, vector graphics, and page layout in print and digital compositions.
2. Develop a digital workflow across multiple Adobe Creative Cloud programs, including usage of various file formats.
3. Demonstrate methods for optimizing size, color, and quality of images and/or photographs for print and digital applications.
4. Create vector graphics and utilize tools to create, resize, and design type.
5. Create basic page layout using multiple forms of content.
6. Demonstrate the ability to properly store data, set appropriate permissions for cloud-based files and applications, and apply file management and file packaging processes on local and remote networks.
7. Examine and discuss images and design in their current and historical, cultural, and social contexts.
8. Discuss how digital technologies can perpetuate systems of inequality and/or can be used as tools for social transformation.
9. Create individual projects and display them in a professional manner.

Required Technology

Students in this course will be provided with access to the Adobe Creative Cloud software suite, which is also available on lab computers at CCV academic centers. Please note: Adobe Creative Cloud software requires a desktop or laptop. Chromebooks will not be sufficient. Please consult the system requirements below.

Adobe Creative Cloud system requirements can be found here. Individual applications can be downloaded separately, and requirements may vary.

If you have difficulty in acquiring or accessing these resources for your course, please contact your advisor or financial aid counselor to see if there are assistance programs available to you.

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV computer recommendations Support page.

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

This course only uses free Open Educational Resources (OER) and/or library materials. For details, see the Canvas Site for this class.

Artificial Intelligence(AI) Policy Statement

CCV recognizes that artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI tools are widely available and becoming embedded in many online writing and creative applications.

Integrated: This course's generative AI policy acknowledges the use of AI is an essential skill in today's world. By using genAI for specific purposes, students become equipped with relevant skills and tools necessary to thrive in a technology-driven society. Emphasizing the mastery of generative AI should empower you to harness its potential, enhancing your problem-solving abilities and preparing you for future challenges and opportunities. Be aware, however, that any time generative AI is used at any point in the assignment without attribution it may be considered a violation of CCV's Academic Integrity Policy.

In this course, you’ll be learning how to use Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign to create your own original work. While AI tools like Adobe Firefly, ChatGPT, or Midjourney can be helpful in some situations, this course is focused on learning the software through your own effort.

What is allowed:

• You may use AI to help brainstorm ideas or clarify instructions.
• You may use built-in AI tools inside Adobe programs (such as content-aware fill or object selection).
• You may ask questions or look up help using tools like ChatGPT, as long as you still do the work yourself.

What is not allowed:

• You may not submit images or layouts that were created entirely by AI tools like Firefly or Midjourney.
• You may not use AI to generate your project for you or to skip learning the skills being taught.
• You may not present AI-generated work as your own.

Why this matters

The goal of this class is for you to learn how to use the tools yourself. AI can be helpful for learning and exploration, but it should not replace your effort. Using AI to bypass the learning process or submit work you didn’t create is considered academic dishonesty.

If you are unsure whether something is okay to use, ask first. I’m happy to help.

Methods

This course will utilize the following teaching methods as necessary:

• Overview/Annoucement -Each week will have an overview and annoucement explaining what we will be working on with more detail for how the week will work.
• Course Resources- Text and videos were specifically designed for this course as demosntrations, tutorials, and follow-alongs to be used a practice each week to gain confidence before attempting assignments.
• Discussions- Discusisons are like our "in-class conversation" to talk, chat, brainstorm, and get ready for each week as a group. It is expected that we will make a post and reply to two (2) colleagues each week.
• Quizzes - Multiple choice and matching style quizzes are used weekly to assess vocabulary, test skill/concept understanding, and engage in problem-solving. Quizzes can be seen before being taken.
• Activities & Assignments- Assignments are a weekly method of seeing if (1) you were able to review the resources; (2) followed along to try and practice; and then (3) complete the assignment as expected. Each assignment has a clear description and a rubric you can use to determine your own score each week before, during and after weekly progress.
• Reviews -At the end of each week, we will have an opportunity to check-in, see how things are going, and talk about some of the key topics we learned each week.
• Help (As Needed) - The instructor for this course is available by email and live Zoom sessions with a few days notice.

Evaluation Criteria

• 60% Assignments & Activities
• 10% Midterm/Final
• 15% Quizzes
• 10% Discussions
• 5% Weekly Reviews

Additional Notes:

• Late Assignments are NOT Allowed
• Missing 2 of 12 Summer classes is an automatic loss of credit
• Missing 3 of 15 Spring/Fall classes is an automatic loss of credit
• Help is available by email and/or Zoom as needed

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Weekly Schedule

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Participation Expectations

YOU WILL NEED A PC OR MAC COMPUTER
We will be using Adobe programs Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, many of which we will need to have open at the same time. Please review the "computer requirements" for Adobe Creative Cloud on the Adobe website to be sure your computer can handle this workload.

YOU WILL NEED AN ADOBE CREATIVE CLOUD LICENSE
In order to use Adobe Creative Cloud and the programs needed for this course, you will need to own an Adobe Creative Cloud license. For this course, CCV will provide a license you can use if you don't have or want to purchase one on your own.

Participation Expectations

• Login Frequency - Log into this course 3+ times/week vs all in 1 day
• Discussions - Engage colleagues with thoughtful posts/replies each week
• Resources - View and use resources included with the course
• Tasks - Be on time, read task descriptions and rubrics carefully
• Communication - Regularly check your email and provide timely (24-48 hours) responses to questions, emails, comments and other feedback as needed.This includes asking for help when you need it instead of falling behind.
• Preparation - Read and review all resources and tasks including task descriptions and rubrics prior to attempting the assignment
• Effort - Complete tasks beyond the minimal requirements. Follow tutorials, practice, try concepts no your own and gain confidence with weekly skills before trying the assignment
• Professionalism - As part of an online community, you are expected to demonstrate professionalism in your interactions with peers and the instructor. This includes meeting deadlines, being accountable for your work, and upholding academic integrity in all assignments.

Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student’s final grade. Federal financial aid regulations require that students regularly attend classes and participate in academically-related activities.

Missing & Late Work Policy

All assignments must be submitted on time, including the weekly discussion, assignment, quizzes, and reviews. To accommodate emergencies, each person has one (1) late passes that can be used to submit an assignment up to three days after the due date without penalty. Once these late passes are used, any further late assignments will not be accepted for credit.

Timeliness is essential not only for this course but also for success in this career. Each week builds on the previous one, so falling behind can quickly snowball into larger challenges. Participation and staying on schedule are expectations for everyone, even in an online format.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/student-support/accessibility-services/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity

Apply Now for this semester.