"Students prefer case-study books. The Against The Clock books allow students to get step-by-step instruction outside of the classroom. This is especially helpful for distance and online learning."

Tom Courad
Eastern Washington University

The Against The Clock Portfolio Series teaches graphic design software tools and techniques entirely within the framework of real-world projects; we introduce and explain skills where they would naturally fall into a real project workflow. Clear, easy-to-read, step-by-step instructions walk you through every phase of each job, from creating a new file to saving the finished piece. This project-based approach allows you to get in depth with the software beginning in Project 1 — you don’t have to read several chapters of introductory material before you can start creating finished artwork.

The projects in each book reflect a range of different types of jobs that are typical of the specific application. When you finish the eight projects in a book — and the accompanying Portfolio Builder projects — you will have a substantial body of work that should impress any potential employer.

Interface Chapter Each book begins with a brief overview of the general application interface, so you can immediately begin creating in Project 1.	Project Goals Each project begins with a clear description of the overall concepts that are explained in the project; these goals closely match the different “stages” of the project workflow.
Project Meeting Each project includes the client’s initial comments, which provide valuable information about the job to be completed. The Art Director, a vital part of any design workflow, also provides fundamental advice and production requirements. Finally, each Project Meeting includes a summary of the specific skills required to complete the project.	Real-World Workflow Projects are broken into logical lessons or “stages” of the workflow. Brief introductions at the beginning of each stage provide vital foundational material required to complete the task.
Step-by-step Exercises Every stage of the workflow is broken into multiple hands-on, step-by-step exercises. Wherever possible, screen shots are annotated so you can quickly identify important information. Sidebars provide shortcuts, warnings, or tips about the topic at hand.	Foundations Additional functionality, related tools, and underlying graphic design concepts are included throughout the book.
Visual Summary Using an annotated version of the finished project, students can quickly identify the skills used to complete different aspects of the job.	Portfolio Builder Projects Each step-by-step project is accompanied by a related freeform project, allowing students to practice their skills and exercise creativity, resulting in an extensive and diverse portfolio of work.