Is there a crash course on Graphic Design with Xara with topics in sequence?

[joejac]

Hello,

Sorry if this question was already answered, but the search function do not like the word "course" because it is very common, incredible!.

I was looking for a training course for my teenager son, but all the good ones are focused in teaching characters and environmental design for games using Photoshop.

I like Xara Designer since it is a good general program that works also with vector graphics and not too expensive. I know there are good video tutorials for specific topics, but, is it there a planned course or courses, that can take the beginner and help him to achieve certain training goals in sequence?

I mean, I wonder if it is there a crash course on Graphic Design with Xara with a clear sequence for beginners, and then more advanced courses in the games areas I mentioned above. I mean if a person wants to build a graphic design curriculum with Xara, what would be the training path?

Sorry about my english, hope I was able to explain myself.
Thank you and best regards.
joejac

[mwenz]

In a word, no. There are not pre-planned courses I am aware of.

The tool (Xara, Illustrator, CorelDraw) isn't the important factor. It is the content, the "what" of a course, that matters. If you can find a classroom text covering the basics for AI or CD, it would be easy for you to alter it to Xara's means of accomplishing the same teaching flow.

I think that focused teaching would be as beneficial for your son. What is it he is interested in doing? Then figure out the steps to do it in Xara. Along the way, you will have opportunity to introduce the "why" of the "how" to accomplish a task or design. This is the method I used to teach one of my sons 3D design work. He literally drew his room and its contents in a 3D illustration software. While I was barely able to stay enough ahead of him as to what to do, it worked out for both of us in that complicated software. 2D work in Xara or the other applications I mentioned is far easier to teach.

As well, have him work through some of the tutorials on the http://www.xaraxone.com/ web site. There are many years worth of tutorials that one will learn through doing.

Take care, Mike

[gwpriester]

There used to be some on-line courses but I just looked and cannot see any listed on Google.

I would start with the "Movies" Help > Movies.

These are videos and cover the basics and will give you a good feel for the program.

With any tool selected press F1 for an explanation of that particular tool, how it works, etc.

In any menu, press Help for context sensitive information referring to that feature or function.

Also in the Help menu > Contents, see Getting Started.

[StevenWWinters]

This may be helpful.

http://www.amazon.com/Xara-Xtreme-5-.../dp/0071625593

[gracehjs]

There is a self study course at http://www.lvsonline.com/schedule.shtml look under self study/graphics programmes. I took this class when it was it was instructor led and it gives you a great start.

[joejac]

Hello, and thank you all very much for your kind answers.

1. Thanks to Mike, Gary and Steven I know now that learning Xara is not going to be a problem thanks to the tutorials and videos (the Help and www.xaraxone.com and the X5 Book).

2. Now the key point, I think, it is learning the fundamental topics of Graphic Design itself. Thanks Grace for the link to lvsonline, what I like is they have affordable prices, compared with online renown academies, but I have not seen any course like "basic Graphic Design" in lvsonline.

2.1 Unfortunately I do not know Graphic Design in order to have the knowledge to distinguish which would be a good course in Graphic Design fundamentals, looking only at the course syllabus. The masters of Graphic Design know what to look for. Any sugestion on this type of course, or perhaps a book, is very welcomed.

Thanks and regards
joejac

[gwpriester]

joejac - I don't think you are going to find an inexpensive on-line course. But there are quite a few good books that can give you a good overview http://www.designer-daily.com/10-des...students-18213

The Element of Graphic Design might be a good book with which to begin the journey.

Also, documentary director Gary Hustwit has a trilogy of films that deal with various aspects of design and feature interviews with many of the world's best know designers. Helvetica, Objectified and Urbanized.

[csehz]

At learning I found these three links in sequence very good for Xara terms and tools by Gary:

http://www.xaraxone.com/webxealot/xealot33/features.htm
http://www.xaraxone.com/webxealot/xealot34/features.htm
http://www.xaraxone.com/webxealot/xealot35/features.htm

Sometimes even for advanced users it summarizes something from basics which was not aware before