General FAQ
Will I need to buy any software for the course?
The graphic design, computer graphics and motion graphics courses will require access to the Adobe programs. Adobe.com now only offer a subscription based use of all software with a monthly fee of $19.99 with a year commitment. Design Alive students can take advantage of this student rate.
AutoCad and Revit are available as a free student download.
Do your vacations follow a regular school calendar?
Will I receive a qualification?
Yes. Upon successful completion of all projects and program tests (including regular attendance), students will be presented with a certificate of completion from Design Alive.
There is also an option to gain accreditation for courses completed that can be put towards a degree.
What happens if I miss a class?
Can I have a full-time job while doing the courses?
How many students will be able to participate in the course?
Each course accommodates between 5-15 students although this depends on each course.
Do I have to be creative or know how to draw to do these courses?
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.
I am not a total beginner as I have done design jobs before. Will this course be on my level?
Do I need to have any background to join Web Design or Motion Graphics?
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.
Can I enroll in more than one course?
Do I have to be a computer wizard to join Design Alive?
Does Design Alive help graduates find employment at the end of the course?
How do your courses compare to other courses being offered?
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.
Can you tell me more about how the courses are run?
Which course is right for me?
What can you do after completing the Motion Graphics course?
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.
What is the difference between the Fastrack course and the full courses?
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.
I want a career in Interior Design
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.
I am interested in learning Web Design
The Web Design course is suited for students with background in Photoshop/Figma 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, jQuery and much more. This is a demanding course which requires a lot of practice outside class time.
I already know the Adobe programs, but I would like to learn design theory
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.
I just want to learn the Adobe programs (Photoshop, Illustrator and Indesign)
I want a career in Graphic Design:
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.