How it works

Design Alive does not offer direct assistance with buying a computer suitable for the course, but below are suggested computer specs system requirements for the different programs required, and details of a computer technician who can help you. Please be aware that you will need a high-end computer for (Revit) rendering, and Motion Graphics in particular.

Links to the system requirements from the company websites

• AutoCAD
• Revit
• Computer Graphics (Photoshop)
• After Effects
• Premiere
• Adobe XD (for web but this does not require a high spec)

Suggested specifications:

• An i7 processor.
• Nvidia Graphics card
• At least 8GB RAM
• A 64-bit operating system
• A large screen as you can get. While a 17-inch laptop is great, it is more expensive and heavier to carry around and you may want to choose a 15 inch for portability and buy a separate large screen for concentrated work at home.
• An external hard drive (preferably SSD) to store work to ensure your computer does not get too full and slow down.
• Autocad / Revit students. The Mac interface is very different from a PC, so we do not recommend getting a Mac for course purposes, as the instructor teaches on a PC. Revit is also not available in Mac format.

Design Alive has partnered with B&H for all computer and technical requirements and queries. They are a well-known and established company and are up-to-date with current specs and performance. Our contact is Baruch Berman and he can be contacted at Boruchb@bhphoto.com.  Mention Design Alive when you speak to him.
PLEASE NOTE: Do not call the company directly but email Baruch for a call back:

Here is a link to the type of computers he currently recommends (updated 19 August 2021)  although feel free to do your own research for comparison. (If this link becomes invalid then please let us know) It’s also worth checking the Dell outlet for deals.

Disclaimer: You are under no obligation to purchase a computer from Baruch and would advise doing your own research before buying. We are not recommending you buy a computer from BH and Design Alive does not profit in any way by sending students to him.

Yes. See full information here.

We recommend reading up about various filtering options on Venishmartem.com. Design Alive students have been very happy with Techloq, Nativ USA, Techloq and Gentech filters which all have great support. Please be aware the K9 is incompatible with joining an online class.

AutoCad and Revit are available as a free student download.

Each course accommodates between 5-15 students although this depends on each course.

No, but it helps. Some students are more technical and others more creative. We aim to bring out the best in all students according to their individual skills.

Yes, prior knowledge of Photoshop or better still, a design background, is necessary for entry to the Web Design course. The combination of the Fastrack courses (Computer Graphics Fastrack and Graphic Design Fastrack) followed by Web Design has proved an winning combination for those with little or no background.

If you are looking to study Motion Graphics then you will need to have knowledge of Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop which can be learned by enrolling on Design Alive’s Fastrack Computer Graphics course for $500.

Design Alive creates a live classroom atmosphere where students benefit from the structure and discipline of scheduled classes and gain tremendously from the interchange of feedback from instructor and other students during class. Given by highly-trained frum designers who are sensitive to the suitability of the course material, each class is a masterpiece in its own right. Structured around the Jewish calendar, Design Alive relieves pressure at the busy times of the year.

Students who graduate our programs are not expected to have to study further as we try to offer complete in depth training in each field of expertise.

We often have students who come to us after having attended other quicker /shorter courses who feel they dont have the tools to go out and work in their field as their courses were not comprehensive enough.

Students interested in a graphic design career can best get started with simultaneous enrollment in both Computer Graphics (Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and Indesign). and Graphic Design & Portfolio (Design Theory with multiple graphic projects). One can also learn the Adobe programs first (live or self-paced) and continue to Graphic Design & Portfolio the following year.

Design Alive’s Fastrack courses, (Computer Graphics Fastrack and Graphic Design Fastrack) offers the opportunity to gain a good familiarity with the programs used by graphic designers and to become acquainted with the main concepts of graphic design, without the need to commit to a full year’s worth of study. These are recommended for those who want to continue to web design and don’t have a design background.

Students with previous experience with the Adobe software can either join the Graphic Design and Portfolio course (live or self paced), or if they need a less thorough learning route, they can join the Fastrack course (Self paced). The Fastrack course is generally not advised for those looking to make their career in graphic design.

The Web Design course is suited for students with background in Photoshop as a minimum, although a design background is advised. For those with no background, the winning combination of the Fastrack courses followed by the Web Design course has proved very successful.

The Design Alive Web Design course trains students from the basics  (HTML/CSS) to the advanced (WordPress), enabling them to independently design complete dynamic websites, create responsive websites, understand email marketing, social media, analytics, J Query and much more. This is a demanding course which requires alot of practice outside class time.

The Interior Design is an intensive full-year course that provides the models, the practical application, and the tools needed to become professional interior designers.

The course consists of 3 classes per week, 2 focusing on Interior Design and Construction, and 1 teaching AutoCad (followed by Revit). The course includes Interior Decorating although it is not solely an Interior Decorating course and there is alot of emphasis on space planning and the technical side of construction.

It is necessary to enroll in all 3 classes simultaneously, although it is possible to learn AutoCad in the first year and continue to the other 2 classes the following year. One can also choose to join AutoCad or Revit as a standalone course for those interested in learning drafting and how to create construction documents.

The Fastrack courses are taught at a faster pace, have less hours and are less comprehensive than the full courses. They do NOT cover the same amount of  material as the comprehensive course and the instructor is speaking at the same pace.  The computer graphics fastrack course, for example,  is is perfect for people who have had previous background in using the Adobe software yet could benefit from a refresher course, or is suitable for the independent learner who will feel confident exploring the software further on his/her own.

The Fastrack Graphic Design course covers the complete theory of design, but in a less thorough manner and produces a much smaller portfolio than the full course.

Students who want to continue to Web Design are advised to do the Fastrack courses as a prerequisite.

You can edit and produce videos, create web banners and animations, product demos, audio visual presentations for fund raising events and advertising, 3d animation and more.