Digital 1: We've Just Begun!
Requirements
- Adobe Photoshop Elements or Photoshop CC
Description
Start Right Here!
The stories of your life are precious. More than likely, you love taking photos of the big and small things in your life. You love writing and recording, savoring and saving. And also more than likely you've got that backlog of photos you've been meaning to do something with (that's actually why I got started). After all, photos only take on significance when people look at them. Time to dig them out of whatever drive or CD or phone or random spot they're in, and make something amazing!
(Note : If you already own Up & Running from the archived classes, this content is the same.)
Our Goal: Introduce the Benefits of Digital Scrapbooking
There are lots of reasons to love digital Scrapbooking from the instant sharing to being able to create custom art. we hope you'll love it all too!
Share Instantly
You can use your computer and Photoshop or Photoshop Elements to create gorgeous projects that showcase your photos and words, AND share them online instantly with family and friends all over the world.
Print Albums & Keepsakes
You can print your digital scrapbook pages individually, or transform them into photo albums as keepsakes or gifts. I'll share resources to help you get perfect prints and photo books every time.
Grow Your Skills, Spread Your Wings
This is the big one. It should be written in big red letters and then underlined 1,000 times. The best thing about learning how to use Photoshop, is the learning. The skills you'll gain through the class series here will last you a lifetime, and you'll be amazed at all the things you're able to do (posters, flyers, kids' school projects, announcements, home decor, you name it). Those creative wings are just waiting to unfurl, and it all starts right here.
What To Expect In Class
All of the classes here at Jessica Sprague come with gorgeous video instruction, broken down into project-based lessons and individual tasks within each lesson. This bite-sized approach to Photoshop makes it easy to understand, and you'll be amazed at what you can accomplish in just 30 minutes at a time! During this introductory course, I'll show you how to:
Set up Photoshop (or Elements) for digital scrapbooking
Open and close photos and Photoshop documents
Create a digital scrapbook page using a single-photo "Quickpage"
Create a digital scrapbook page using a two-photo "Quickpage"
Use the Type tool to add single lines and paragraphs of text
Save your file for print
Save your file for sharing online
and more!
How To Prepare for Class
The prerequisites for this class are Digital 1 and Digital 2. You'll need a computer with internet access, and have any version of Photoshop Elements 9+ or Photoshop CS5+ installed. Adobe offers a free 30-day trial of these programs in its latest version.
I'll Be Right There With You
The Digital 1: We've Just Begun course is the first installment of the Jessica Sprague Digital courses!. By the end of class, you will have learned new Photoshop techniques including how to set up a digital scrapbooking page! How awesome is that? We love to see your photos and cherished albums, and with every Jessica Sprague course, there are many different ways to get in touch to show off your art, or ask a question! Register now, and I'll see you in class!
Your Instructor
Jessica Sprague
Hi there! I'm Jessica Sprague, owner and instructor here at Jessica Sprague. I founded Jessica Sprague in 2007 to share the creative potential of Photoshop for crafting. I've been teaching Photoshop and graphic design, photo editing, digital scrapbooking, e-commerce, and online school development for a decade. It's my goal to help you build the skills and knowledge that will last you a lifetime. Learn more about me. Are you ready to start the journey? Join me!
Testimonial
"It made photoshop so easy to use. going into photoshop "blindly" can be very intimidating. Having someone simplify it is awesome!"
- Digi 1 Student
Class Curriculum
Introduction
Start
Welcome to Class!
Photoshop Elements Layout 1: "Picture Perfect"
Start
PSE Your First Digital Layout: Introduction and Downloads (1:25)
Start
PSE 1.1: Photoshop Elements Setup (3:36)
Start
PSE 1.2: Open & Add a Photo (9:09)
Start
PSE 1.3: Type a Date (7:34)
Start
PSE 1.4: Type in a Text Block (3:35)
Start
PSE 1.5: Save Your Layout in .psd and .jpg Formats (6:35)
Start
PSE 1.6: Save Your Layout for the Web (5:43)
Start
PSE: Lesson Summary & Assignment
Photoshop CC Layout 1: "Picture Perfect"
Start
Photoshop CC Your First Digital Layout: Introduction and Downloads (1:23)
Start
Photoshop CC 1.1: Set up Photoshop CC (1:26)
Start
Photoshop CC 1.2: Open & Add a Photo (8:20)
Start
Photoshop CC 1.3: Type a Date (4:56)
Start
Photoshop CC 1.4: Type in a Text Block (4:07)
Start
Photoshop CC: Lesson Summary & Assignment
Start
Photoshop CC 1.5: Save Your Layout in .psd and .jpg Formats (7:36)
Start
Photoshop CC 1.6: Save Your Layout for the Web (5:34)
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
How do I know if Photoshop / this class is right for me?
If you're not sure whether you'll LOVE this class (and Photoshop), head to Adobe and download a free 30-day trial of Photoshop Elements or Photoshop CC for this class. If it's not for you, contact us within 30 days of your purchase for a full refund. Nothing better than no-risk, right?
What version of Photoshop do I need?
This class is designed for Photoshop Elements 9+ OR Photoshop CS6 or Photoshop CC.
What skill level is this class?
This class is designed for beginners - if you've never opened Photoshop before, or you've opened it and gotten frustrated, this class is for you!
What You'll Get
Detailed HD Screencasts, Delivered by a Pro
All of the classes here at Jessica Sprague come with gorgeous video instruction, broken down into project-based lessons and individual tasks within each lesson. This bite-sized approach to Photoshop makes it easy to understand, and you'll be amazed at what you can accomplish in just 30 minutes at a time! You can see first hand what I'm demonstrating, then try it for yourself right there! The freedom to rewind, relisten, and rewatch makes this course easy to follow, even with the most complex techniques. I'm right beside you the whole way!
Techniques You'll Use Forever
As a scrapbooker, instructional designer, and graphic designer, I teach techniques you'll find most useful, most interesting, and which deliver the best results throughout every layout you make. You'll gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence to create scrapbook pages that make your heart sing! I love watching pages come together, and I LOVE seeing students' work! I can't wait to see yours! Let's unfurl those creative wings together, right here!
Everything But the Photos
All you need for this class are your photographs! I'll provide downloads for everything you'll need to complete each project. In addition to the lesson projects, I'll offer challenges, extra information, links, downloads, and other materials designed to enhance your experience and deepen your understanding of how to use Photoshop. This is about YOU - your investment in yourself, and I can't wait to share what I know!
Permanent Access, at Your Pace
You'll take the class completely at your own pace (you never need to be online at a specific time), and all of the course materials are available to you FOREVER.
Register now! I can't wait to see you in class!
Get started now!
Who this course is for:
- Story-tellers, bloggers, memory keepers, photo tweakers, anyone who wants to grow their influence with gorgeous web media.
Course content
- 00:51Welcome to Class!
- 02:25Letter from Jessica
- 03:12Prepare for Success
Instructor
![Jessica Sprague](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 64 64"%3E%3C/svg%3E){kind=avatar}
- 4.7 Instructor Rating
- 43 Reviews
- 3,947 Students
- 1 Course
My Classes: What I Teach
The tagline for my site is: Grow Your Skills. I love the imagery of a tree growing both roots and branches, and I think it translates beautifully into the skills we learn in Photoshop. I like making things that are beautiful to put in my home and give as gifts. I like taking photos of my life and making them better, and then using them in scrapbook pages and decor for my house. This is what I like, how I personally use Photoshop day-to-day, and what I teach. offer classes in a variety of subjects, but specifically focus on:
Photo editing
Digital scrapbooking
Mouse-and-paper crafting
Digital Project Life
Blog design
Digital and graphic design
Each class is broken into multiple lessons with accompanying videos, downloads, links, inspiration and self-check exercises. You'll know what to expect with each project, have lifetime access to all the materials, and be able to follow along with the high-quality screencast videos as you complete each project. At the end of each lesson in ANY of the classes, you'll have a completed project or specific goal that you've reached. Measurable, real-world success in Photoshop techniques that matter. That's what it means to Grow Your Skills.
My Classes: How I Teach
As a trained instructional designer, I develop and teach online classes rooted in proven principles of both adult learning and online learning. The result is that you'll learn more in less time, and retain more techniques as you progress - and of course that you'll be able to see measurable progress in your skills! Some of the principles I use as I develop my classes include:
Quick success. Adults are far more likely to continue the learning process when they can quickly see the benefit of their effort. In a live class, this means 30 minutes. In an online class, this means within the first lesson.
Basics. In adult online learning situations, each student arrives at the class with a different degree of skill and confidence. t's important to take varying skill levels into account during lesson preparation, to make sure that all material (and reference to any previously-learned skill) is explained clearly and completely.
Skill Building. New ideas should be clearly identified, explained, and presented in order from basic to more advanced. New material should be tied directly to previously-learned ideas, so students can see measurable growth in their skill, confidence and independence.
Application. Pointing to the direct real-world application of a specific technique s critical to the success of the learning. Adding context, history, or stories helps an adult learner identify with the reasons behind a new technique, which increases motivation to learn and apply it.
Engagement. Students should have various ways to interact with the material and with other learners, community members and the instructor to make the online learning experience more immersive.
Assessment. To help adult learners measure their own progress related to key techniques, students should be provided with regular self-check exercises.
Empowerment. Each adult online learner as given valuable time and resources to the effort that it takes to enroll in a class and commit to the learning process. I think more than any other group of people, online adult learners need to know that the skills they're learning - although difficult at first - will be worth the effort as their ability and confidence grows.
Creative Confidence - I encourage students to spread their wings and fly - is the result of measurable growth, real-world application, and the encouragement of trusted people) is the entire goal of my teaching. Well, maybe not the ENTIRE goal. I do still love to make cute stuff. ;)