• Try “portfolio”, “ink”, “branding” or a code like “PRS 101”.

ECT 201Emerging Creative Technologies

Creative Automation Fundamentals

Automate repetitive creative tasks: recorded actions, batch image processing, templates and data merge, file renaming, no-code workflows and simple scripts, done safely.

Planned

About this course

Resizing fifty images, renaming files and producing variations of the same layout are tasks a computer should do. This course teaches you to spot repetitive work and choose the simplest tool that removes it: presets and templates, recorded actions, batch processing, data merge, file-renaming utilities, no-code workflow services and short scripts. Free options are mentioned alongside paid software. Because automation can also break things quickly, the course covers testing on copies, backups and documenting what you automate. Digital File Organization is a prerequisite because automation depends on predictable files.

Who it’s for: Artists and designers who handle repetitive file, image or layout tasks. Digital File Organization is required; no programming experience needed.

You will be able to

  • Identify repetitive tasks in your workflow and estimate time saved by automating them.
  • Record and batch-run actions to process image sets.
  • Produce layout variations from a template and a data file.
  • Build a simple no-code workflow or short script to move, rename or process files.
  • Test automations safely on copies and document them for future use.

Prerequisites

Studio project

One real creative workflow automated, safely tested and documented, with measured time savings.

To complete this course

  • Complete every required lesson.
  • Have the assignment “Automate one real workflow” accepted by an instructor.
  • Records of completion are issued only for courses whose content has passed instructor review.

Syllabus

Working titles: they may change as the course is written.

  1. Module 1: Spotting automation opportunities

    Finding the tasks worth automating.

    1. 1.1Finding repetitive tasksExercise · 30 min
    2. 1.2The automation ladderReading · 25 min

  2. Module 2: Automating images and layouts

    The most common creative automations.

    1. 2.1Recorded actions and batch processingExercise · 45 min
    2. 2.2Batch resizing, watermarking and exportExercise · 40 min
    3. 2.3Templates and data mergeExercise · 45 min

  3. Module 3: Workflow automation

    Automating the work around the work.

    1. 3.1Renaming files and folders automaticallyExercise · 30 min
    2. 3.2No-code workflowsReading · 35 min
    3. 3.3A first scriptExercise · 50 min

  4. Module 4: Automating safely

    Making sure automations help rather than harm.

    1. 4.1Testing on copies and keeping backupsReading · 20 min
    2. 4.2Documenting automationsExercise · 25 min

Author: Ricketts University curriculum team (draft for founder review) · Not yet reviewed

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