Graphic Design Tutorials & Tools
All Fairfield University students, faculty, and staff have access to LinkedIn Learning (via my.fairfield.edu), an online subscription library that teaches the latest software tools and skills through high-quality instructional videos taught by recognized industry experts on a broad range of subjects, including graphic design, illustration, animation, Photoshop, and web design. New courses are added every week.
Adobe Photoshop Creative Suite is available on some computer labs on campus.
There are also several free web tools that can be used to edit images, create promotional materials, and infographics. Here are a few:
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Adobe SparkCreate impactful social graphics, web pages, and short videos in minutes.
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CanvaGraphic design tool with an easy to use drag-and-drop interface and provides access to over a million photographs, graphics, and fonts. The tools can be used for both web and print media design and graphics.
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Easel.lySimple web tool that empowers anyone to create and share powerful visuals.
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GIMPCan be used for photo retouching, image composition, and image authoring.
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InkscapeOpen-source vector graphics editor that can be used to create or edit vector graphics such as illustrations, diagrams, line arts, charts, logos and complex paintings.
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WorldCatA global and comprehensive catalog of library holdings. Search WorldCat for materials that are not available at Fairfield.
Background Sources
Multidisciplinary encyclopedias:
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Credo Reference Academic CoreA comprehensive collection of subject encyclopedias, dictionaries, atlases, and reference handbooks. Also included are short reference videos and high-resolution images. Useful background information source.
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Oxford Art OnlineThis collection of scholarly art encyclopedias and reference works includes Grove Art Online, the Encyclopedia of Aesthetics, The Oxford Companion to Western Art, and The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art Terms. This content is updated regularly to reflect the latest scholarship.
Discipline specific resources:
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The Thames and Hudson Dictionary of Graphic Design and DesignersCall Number: Online and Reference Main Level NC997 .L54 2012ISBN: 9780500204139Publication Date: 2012 -
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Typography: a Very Short IntroductionCall Number: Stacks Upper Level Z246 .L85 2018ISBN: 0199211299Publication Date: 2019 -
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AMA Manual of Style, 11th ed.Call Number: Online and Reference Main Level R119 .A533 2020ISBN: 9780190246556Click the title above to view the manual. For help with this style, check out our AMA Citation Guide. -
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA), 7th ed.Call Number: Reference Main Level BF76.7 .P83 2020ISBN: 9781433832161Click the title above to view the manual. For help with this style, check out our APA Citation Guide. -
MLA Handbook, 9th ed.Call Number: Reference Main Level LB2369 .G53 2021ISBN: 9781603293518Click the title above to view the handbook. For help with this style, check out our MLA Citation Guide. -
The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th ed.Call Number: Online and Reference Main Level Z253 .U69 2017ISBN: 9780226287058Click the title above to view the manual. Our Citation Guides can help with Chicago Notes-Bibliography style or Chicago Author-Date style. -
IEEE Editorial Style Manual for Authors by Call Number: OnlineClick the title above to view the manual. For help with this style, check out our IEEE Citation Guide.
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