Reply To: LA graphics programs – illustrator, photoshop, indesign, autocad

I’d say that the course isn’t worth it at all, especially not at that price. In 20 hours, the best you will get is a overview of the software interface and maybe one or two ‘click here, do this” tutorials. The Adobe Suite and CAD can be split into a full semester long course each and you STILL won’t have half of what each program can do. $1200 is WAY too much for 20 hours. Think what your regular dollar cost per credit is at your school, I doubt it’s as high as $60 an hour…

As for what to try and learn on your own, there are TONS of tutorials and videos on the web available for free. Plus there are books on CAD and Adobe programs tailored specifically for the AEC professions.

Here’s an example for Photoshop if you don’t mind the odd asides and the “character” that the guy is portraying as a backstory, then the videos are helpful (if a bit advanced for a beginner).: http://www.mydamnchannel.com/You_Suck_at_Photoshop/Season_1/YouSuckAtPhotoshop1DistortWarpandLayerEffects_1373.aspx 

Here’s a great website resource for AutoCAD: http://www.cadtutor.net/tutorials/autocad/

And by the way, I should ask, are there no formal classes on these programs during your MLA curriculum?