Adobe Photoshop: Selections and Layers

During this workshop, you’ll learn how to select objects using basic selection tools (marquees and magic wand) and move them together to form a collage. You can place these objects in separate layers and add new layers to form different backgrounds.

We’ll teach you how to use the lasso tools and masks that help you edit and transform specific parts of images to achieve awesome effects with your photos and graphics. Delve into the blending options to really make your images pop.

Learn how to repair old damaged photos and add some flair to new ones. Photoshop contains many of the tools professionals use to touch up photos and restore damaged prints. Masks and filters can also add some artistic touches to turn an average picture into a work of art.

Text in Photoshop offers many possibilities. Learn how blending options and filters can make your text stand out and how to incorporate text into your graphic designs.

Imagine giving up the scissors, tape, glue and mess to create memorable scrapbook pages. Using layers and selection tools to manipulate your graphics, images and text, you can create all the looks you are looking for without having to spend so much on specialty tools. You can even put your pictures back in their frames when you're done!

There are many programs available for print publication design, but Adobe Illustrator is often overlooked. The graphics power of Illustrator offers you unmatched control over the look of the document, producing professional, eye-catching and unique designs.

Learn how Illustrator works and what sets it apart from other graphics programs. Use Illustrator's unique tools to create high quality graphics and achieve professional results.

This industry standard can be your best bet for creating eye-catching, professional print publications. Discover the tools and functions available to create fliers that deliver your message in style.

Quickly becoming the new industry standard, Adobe InDesign is a powerful copy and layout tool that makes designing newsletters a breeze. Learn the dos and don'ts of creating a professional newsletter and how to get the most out of your workspace.

Microsoft has revealed a totally new look for its line of Office products. Learn about the new Office Button and Ribbon and how this new interface can increase productivity by bringing the tools you need to you when you need them.

Authors can easily become lost in the many guidelines encountered as they prepare their theses or dissertations, but Word can help. Following the formatting requirements of the MSU Office of Graduate Studies' "Guidelines for Preparing Dissertations and Theses," this workshop is designed for both first-time and experienced authors. Let Word handle the formatting so you can focus on the most important part: the content. This workshop also covers how to convert Word documents to PDF for easy submission. Co-sponsored by the Electronic Theses and Dissertations Unit and the Instructional Media Center.

The APA style guide is one of the three foremost writing style guides and is used by disciplines such as psychology, sociology, business and several other social sciences. When you're writing your research papers, you can focus more on the content of your work by setting up Word to follow the guidelines of APA from beginning to end. This workshop is co-sponsored by Library Instruction and the Instructional Media Center.

The MLA style guide is one of the three foremost writing style guides and is used by disciplines such as English, literature and foreign languages. Authors can focus more on the content of their papers and reports by setting up Word to follow the guidelines of MLA from beginning to end. Co-sponsored by Library Instruction and the Instructional Media Center.

Save time and energy by using mail merges to create form letters, address labels and even nametags for events. Focusing on Microsoft Word, Excel and Publisher, this workshop will show you the ins and outs of saving time with merges.

Submitting theses and dissertations in electronic format provides new possibilities for including valuable information that could not be shared in print form. Learn how to embed videos and sounds to incorporate new types of content to fully enrich your work. Co-sponsored by the Electronic Theses and Dissertations Unit and the Instructional Media Center.

This introductory session in Excel will demonstrate how to use simple functions and formulas to create a grade book that easily calculates your class averages. You'll also see the benefit of creating your own spreadsheets for future use and how to chart information in the grade book.

Keeping your finances in order can be a breeze once you set up Excel to handle your budget. Learn how to create a register to keep track of spending and ways to analyze your budget. Charts can also provide helpful visuals to promote better spending habits.

Learn how to create effective PowerPoint presentations without going overboard. Slide transitions, animations, sounds, and graphics can very easily be overused. Learn how to use just the right amount and how a little bit of animation can go a long way.

Macros in PowerPoint can be used to create basic games and quizzes that will reinforce your message and even serve as classroom study guides. Learn how to create these macros and how to set up the toolbars in PowerPoint to enable their use.

PowerPoint can do much more than just display slides and text. Learn how to incorporate audio and video into you presentations and how to properly store your files for mobility. Using slide timings and narration can even turn your presentation into a downloadable tutorial!

The print power of Publisher is often underestimated, but find out how much this program can do. With a little practice and experience, you can use Microsoft Publisher to create high-quality and professional newsletters without having to spend too much on high-end software.

You'll learn how to use many of the templates available in Microsoft Publisher. See how designs, layout, color, and fonts can be easily changed to create a great publication that meets your needs. Learn how to incorporate your own designs or modify the ones given to create that unique look.

Podcasting is a great way to stay current on a variety of topics. You'll learn how to find and organize podcasts that appeal to your interests and even how to create your own!

See how Facebook and Myspace have changed the way users interact with each other in the Web 2.0 environment. Also learn how to venture into this new world without losing your privacy by controlling what you allow others to see.

Learn how you can use Flickr to connect with people all over the globe who share similar interests and similar photos. Learn tips and tricks for organizing and uploading your collections and how to share your pictures with the world.