Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: utilize an industry-standard digital illustration software application (i.e. Adobe InDesign or QuarkXpress) to create professional designs at an advanced level; master the technical use of the tools and menu options to create professional designs; demonstrate a thorough understanding of the computer software application's capabilities; demonstrate increased levels of comfort and speed in using the computer software application; synthesize theory with technical and creative skills to provide multiple solutions to technical challenges; execute professional designs through the following process: comprehend the design problem being presented based on the client's requirements and needs, target market, consumer demographics, and practical constraints (e.g. deadlines, budget, production techniques),  conduct research to gain a thorough understanding of the client, target audience and demographics, product, and competitors' products, utilize the internet as a research tool,  brainstorm solutions to the problem based on research results, synthesize results of research and brainstorming to develop several workable solutions to be tested on target audience, refine and advance solutions to professional designs based on instructor, peer, self, and target audience's critique and input, produce advanced layouts in which composition, color, and typography are fully resolved and technical execution is flawless; provide constructive criticism to peer designs; increase design speed by arriving at design solutions through a series of short class exercises (time allowing); develop and design the following projects based on the design process listed above: Two magazine spreads and masthead and contents page based on one of the magazine spreads.