Visual Design Lab

Adobe® Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign Course

From graphic fundamentals to editorial layout

The course is structured into three sequential modules, spread over a total of 12 sessions:

• Module 1 – Photoshop (3 lessons)
• Module 2 – Illustrator (3 lessons)
• Module 3 – InDesign (6 lessons)

The course approach is based on the understanding that the first 6 lessons provide the essential foundations for acquiring digital graphic design tools in preparation for the third module, dedicated to editorial layout with InDesign. The understanding of the proposed tools and techniques, whenever useful to the individual learner’s educational needs, is applied to the type of project that each participant intends to develop or use within their professional path.

❯ It is possible to attend only the first two modules or only the second module. ❯ It is possible to replace the first two modules with 13 hours of one-to-one training. ❯ In all cases, each group module will be activated with a minimum of 6 participants.

Giving shape to ideas

Whether working on promotional graphics, visual identity, editorial layouts or content for digital communication, the course offers a first structured and practical introduction to the three main tools used in the world of graphic design.

It is aimed at: aspiring graphic and visual designers, professionals working in corporate communication, publishing or cultural professionals who work with visual content, or anyone who needs to develop their skills in the use of graphic design tools, with or without previous experience.

Course type: group – in person Number of participants: Max. 15 Attendance: weekly, Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm Duration: 12 lessons – 36 hours total Cost: €590.00 in a single payment or two instalments of €300.00 Materials: USB flash drive Requirements/materials: none Language: Italian Lecturer: Matilde Francia Campus: RUFA – Via Benaco, 2 Rome

MODULE 1 – Adobe Photoshop

Duration: 3 lessons – 9 hours
Objective: Learn the fundamentals of raster graphics, photo retouching and image manipulation.

Lesson 1: Introduction and basic tools
• Overview of Adobe Photoshop
• Interface and customisation
• Formats and resolutions
• Selection and transformation tools
• Layers and basic adjustments

Lesson 2: Photo retouching and corrections
• Retouching tools (healing brush, clone stamp, patch tool)
• Brightness, contrast
• Levels and curves
• Basic colour correction, text insertion and management
• Image blending and effects
• Layer masks and adjustment layers

Lesson 3: Composition and text & Output
• Use of basic filters
• Background removal and transparent backgrounds
• Optimisation for web, social media and print
• Saving in different formats (PSD, JPG, PNG, PDF)
• Guided final exercise: creation of a poster or cover

MODULE 2 – Adobe Illustrator

Duration: 3 lessons – 9 hours
Objective: Learn how to create vector graphics, logos and digital illustrations.

Lesson 1: Vector graphics fundamentals
• Differences between raster and vector graphics
• Overview of the Illustrator interface
• Basic drawing tools: pen, shapes, paths
• Fills, strokes and colour areas

Lesson 2: Managing objects and colours
• Grouping and layers
• Alignment and distribution
• Colour: gradients, patterns, palettes
• Paths and complex shapes
• Text tools
• Creating logos and icons

Lesson 3: Typography and branding + Vector layout and export
• Bézier curves
• Introduction to symbols and custom brushes
• Creating elements for print and digital media
• Preparing files for professional printing (outlining, margins, CMYK)
• Multiple export formats: SVG, EPS, PNG, PDF
• Final exercise: logo and business card

MODULE 3 – Adobe InDesign

Duration: 6 lessons – 18 hours
Objective: Learn the principles of editorial design and professional layout composition.

Lesson 1: Introduction to editorial layout
• Differences between InDesign and other software
• Document setup: formats, margins, columns
• Grids and layout systems

Lesson 2: Managing basic content
• Inserting and managing text and images
• Principles of visual composition
• Practical exercises on simple documents

Lesson 3: Layout and master pages
• Managing pages and master pages
• Linking text frames
• Organising repetitive layouts and maintaining graphic consistency

Lesson 4: Typographic styles and integration with other software
• Paragraph and character styles
• Importing content from Photoshop® and Illustrator®
• Font management and visual consistency

Lesson 5: Multi-page projects
• Creating brochures, magazines and book layouts
• Automatic page numbering
• Indexes and tables of contents

Lesson 6: Professional export and final exercise
• Preflight check
• Exporting PDFs for print, digital and interactive use
• Final exercise: creation of a 4-page brochure

N.B. The module content may be distributed differently across the lessons according to the pace and needs of the class.

PHOTOSHOP MODULE

NOVEMBER
28/11/2026

DECEMBER
05/12/2026
12/12/2026

ILLUSTRATOR MODULE

DECEMBER
19/12/2026

JANUARY
09/01/2027
16/01/2027

INDESIGN MODULE

JANUARY
23/01/2027
30/01/2027

FEBRUARY
06/02/2027
13/02/2027
20/02/2027
27/02/2027

A curious and tireless visual designer, she graduated from RUFA in Graphic Design and specialised in Visual and Innovation Design in 2022. An AIAP member and teaching assistant in Visual Design 2 at RUFA, she has a genuine passion for publishing and branding. In 2021, she began collaborating with the startup MICONIC, overseeing its visual identity. She then deepened her knowledge of printing techniques and materials at Marchesi Grafiche Editoriali before joining Cappelli Identity Design. Since February 2025, she has been part of the graphic design team at la Repubblica, where she works on the newspaper’s layout and graphics. She looks forward to sharing her energy, curiosity and talent with you.

Studenti e Alumni RUFA: agevolazione del 50%
Ex studenti Corsi Brevi e Summer Academy RUFA: agevolazione del 10%
Studenti universitari: agevolazione del 5% (previa esibizione del libretto universitario)
Pacchetto corsi/gruppi/famiglia: contatta corsibrevi@unirufa.it per soluzioni personalizzate e un orientamento gratuito sulla combinazione di corsi per semestre

Per tutti gli iscritti, senza necessità di requisiti particolari, sono disponibili agevolazioni in base alla data di iscrizione:

SUBJECT	ECTS
The links between form, structure and function of objects. Study of the principles underlying a sustainable design methodology and the different strategies. Realization of a complete project: prototype, model or layout.	6
Knowledge of common graphic elements and tools for technical drawing: construction graphics, metric scales, basic elements of orthogonal projections, axonometric projections and techniques for architectural metric survey. Representation of an architecture, or parts of it, with furnishing elements and details, using the most appropriate scales.	6
AutoCad: basic commands and principles. Hatches, backgrounds and masking, texts, dimensions. Creation and application of dimensioning blocks on scale 1:3 of the drawing, modification of existing objects, raster graphics, insertion of squares and scale ratios. Development of an assigned project: representation of plans, sections, prospects and details.	6
Realization of concrete objects starting from intuitions, graphic sketches, design forms not yet finalized. All the way to three-dimensional models that conclude the design process. Final report related to the work carried out during the course, as well as time and costs estimates for the production of the final object.	6
Focus on the peculiarities of sustainable design materials and their rational use in industrial production. Assessment of the physico-chemical and mechanical properties of the materials analyzed; in relation to the technologies, advantages and risk levels related to their processing. Deepening of the characteristics of natural and artificial materials such as wood, stone, stoneware, resin, composites, etc., in relation to their practical applications, with the aim of identifying their requirements and evaluate the appropriate and sustainable choice according to the type of project.	8
Learning the correct method of analyzing objects, ideas and contemporary design forms. Encouraging the development of a critical sense in the acquisition and review of historical data. International design context and movements from the late nineteenth century to the second world war.	6
First approach to developing and drafting interior spaces. Study of shapes and space. Understanding measurements based on functional and ergonomic standards connected with humans.	12
Interior design	8
Applied technology	4
Introduction to parametric modeling with an overview of the software Rhinoceros, used in the job market. Two-dimensional parametric design and three-dimensional modeling. Photography in a virtual environment: lights and materials for rendering. Control parameters for 3D printing.	6
Design knowledge necessary for the realization of models and prototypes using innovative digital technologies. Development of theoretical and practical activities to become aware of digital production systems such as: 3D printing, laser cutting, CNC milling.	4

Tutti gli studenti in possesso di certificazione ai sensi della Legge 104/92 hanno diritto a un’agevolazione del 20% sulla quota di iscrizione, indipendentemente dalla fascia temporale scelta. Per richiederla, è necessario inviare la documentazione alla segreteria all’indirizzo corsibrevi@unirufa.it.

L’iscrizione a un corso breve dà diritto, per il mese in cui si svolge il corso, ad accedere ad alcune convenzioni attive con esercizi commerciali.
Le agevolazioni riguardano sia l’acquisto di materiali creativi che le pause pranzo presso locali situati nei pressi dei campus. Se interessati si prega di fare richiesta del file aggiornato.