Complete design training solutions for every possible design and publishing, and studio management, need
What that means is, whether you want a typical software training course, or one entirely tailored to your daily tasks or role within the company, we will deliver it, brilliantly.
We also offer a variety of bespoke courses, as follows:
• Set Software Training
• Mixed Software Training
• Bespoke Training
• Crash Course Training
• Upgrade Courses
• Blitz Courses
• Design Workshops
• Workshop Combos
• Troubleshooting
Set Software Training
This is the typical style of training, by program type (e.g. Photoshop) and at a chosen level (e.g. Intermediate). Most training companies offer an approximate / similar list of topics for these courses. Unless a client has been trained by us at every level, in which case all topics covered are kept on a personal file, we understand that there may be some gaps in their learning. If the client has experienced poor or unsatisfactory training elsewhere, some topics may need to be covered again in clearer or finer detail.
Even in our Set Software Training, we may ask various questions before training takes place, to ensure there is a good fit between the student/s' ability and the course level.
Where students have under- or over-estimated their abilities or knowledge, we endeavour to move with them, even if that means incorporating topics from another level. That way, we ensure our our students are happy and fulfilled at the end of the course, and the company's or individual's funds have proved a maximum investment.
Typical duration: 2 days at a steady pace.
These courses have one A5 Course manual per student included in the price. A pen and paper are provided.
Mixed Software Training
Tight Budget:
We come across a lot of individual clients who are on a tight budget and fail to invest in training because they cannot afford two days' training in Illustrator, plus another two in Indesign and yet more in Photoshop. Sometimes all they want is to learn 'just enough' to get them through – for example – all the icons they have to generate and then set convert into buttons in an interactive web brochure, as part of their daily job. In cases such as these, where there is a clearly-defined, regular task to be achieved, we would suggest a task-based Mixed Software Course
Role-defined:
Mixed software training is also ideal for those who need to enhance their CV and brush up on their software skills across the design suite, for a new job.
Job securement:
Individuals who embark on mixed software training are increasingly doing so to reduce the chances of their being made redundant, by increasing their value within the company.
Task-defined:
Companies who are setting up a design department, or who need their staff to learn a full raft of skills in order to deliver a new or more effective solution may book mixed software training courses to ensure a number of staff are brought up to speed at once.
Typical duration: Variable
These courses have one A5 Course manual per student included in the price. A pen and paper are provided.
Bespoke Training
This is completely driven by our clients' needs. Boost's bespoke Design Training courses often a wide remit of training potential. Completely tailored to a pre-agreed itinerary, it can combine any aspects of any or all of the courses we do.
Typical duration: Variable
Due to the nature of the course, no manuals are provided. However A5 manuals can be bought for any of the software on our course list at a cost of £15 each. A pen and paper are provided.
Crash Courses
Crash courses are for those with an urgent task or deadline, or perhaps just the impatient. Sometimes intense and demanding (that's the courses), clients who book onto these need to be sure there are no distractions as absolute concentration is a must! Clients should ensure they have had a good sleep, the night before the course.
Typical duration: 2 days reduced to 1; 6 days reduced to 5 consecutive (Blitz course); can be variable
An A5 course manual is provided free of charge on most of these courses; on the Blitz Training programme, two free A5 manuals are provided. A pen and paper are also provided.
Upgrade Courses
Upgrade courses come in two varieties: a half-day condensed demonstration, or a full-day's comprehensive demonstration with interactivity.
Typical duration: Half day or full day.
A set of notes is provided. A pen and paper are also provided.
NEW! Blitz Training Courses
Boost Design Training Blitz courses are specifically designed for those who have a week in which to transform their career prospects or role potential in one fell swoop. Clients who attend these report a glorious sense of smugness as they return to the office and start showing off skills no-one knew they had (because they didn't). The blitz courses are intense, but essentially they take clients from a position of relative ignorance to outstanding expertise (i.e. the new office geek).
Businesses like these courses because they tackle an employee's software shortcomings all in one hit, and there are no gaps. After one of these courses, clients tend to then just book onto our periodic upgrade courses, each time a new version hits the shelves, to stay ahead of their game and maximise staff productivity.
Duration: 1 week (5 days)
Two A5 manuals are included in the course price. A pen and paper are provided.
Design Workshop Courses
Because Boost trainers come from a strong and long-standing design background, we are in the unique position of being able to offer Design Workshops, which provide a tangible and practical working space for clients to assess case studies and exercise their own design skills. With a strong marketing emphasis, our design instructors provide a highly condensed, super-rich combination of critique, tasks, interactive learning and theory across the main topics: typography, imagery, colour, space, and composition. Clients who attend these courses go on to irritate their peers by looking at everything in a new way and being unable to pass a shop front or menu without commenting on the design treatment.
Companies that have recently brought their design in-house as part of a cost-cutting initiative particularly benefit from this course. This course is also of special benefit to: those who are moving into more design-or marketing related roles but who lack a design or marketing degree; start-ups and small business managers / middle managers who lack the budget to hire design and marketing professionals.
Typical duration: 2 days
This is a practical course, without manuals. A pen and paper are provided.
Workshop Combos
Our Workshop Combos are specifically designed for those who have neither the standard of software skills they require nor a design qualification. These courses combine a design workshop with software training of any variety.
Typical duration: Variable.
An A5 manual is included in the price of these courses.
Troubleshooting (Apple Macs only)
Troubleshooting courses are always done on-site. It typically entails connecting a scanner, modem, router, printer, server or connecting 2 or more Apple Macs. We cannot ensure 100% success but there's very little we cannot fix in terms of software and connection problems (provided the fault does not lie with the developer or manufacturer) when we see the machine in-situ. If a hardware diagnostic test is required, we will need to take your equipment away and will update you on expected return date, diagnosis and solution, before you choose whether to proceed. In the event of computer and device removal, please ensure you back up all your work / data first as Boost cannot take responsibility for data damage.
PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ANY APPLE DEVICE, YOU CAN TAKE IT TO AN APPLE STORE AND RECEIVE A FREE DIAGNOSIS, PROVIDED YOU HAVE BOOKED IN AT THE GENIUS BAR. REPAIR COSTS WILL VARY.
TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS: THE FIRST THINGS TO CHECK WHEN A PERIPHERAL DEVICE IS NOT RESPONDING: 1) CABLES ARE CONNECTED PROPERLY AND FREE OF PRESSURE AND HEAT; 2) THE DEVICE IS SWITCHED ON (! HAPPENS TO US ALL SOONER OR LATER); 3) VISIT THE MANUFACTURER'S WEBSITE TO ENSURE YOU HAVE THE LATEST – AND APPROPRIATE DRIVER; 4) ENSURE THE DEVICE COMPLIES WITH THE MINIMUM SPECIFICATIONS (THESE MAY HAVE CHANGED DURING AN UPGRADE).
Some conflicts are not resolvable until a new 'patch' (update) or upgrade is made available by the developer. If Boost cannot rectify your problem on-site, we will keep you abreast of any patches that become available and send you the new version.
DEAD DISK: YES, IT HAPPENS NOW AND THEN. IN OUR EXPERIENCE OF EXTERNAL DRIVES, YOU CAN EXPECT LIFESPAN TO BE AROUND 3 YEARS, WHERE THE DRIVE IS USED RANDOMLY EVERY DAY. WE'VE FOUND THAT LA CIES DIE A VERY SUDDEN DEATH! A SURE SIGN OF IMPENDING DOOM IS THE 'CLICK, CLICK WHIRR' SOUND AND NO ICON SHOWING UP ON YOUR DESKTOP. BACK UP IMMEDIATELY. CHANCES OF DATA RETRIEVAL VARY ACCORDING TO THE TYPE OF DRIVE.
BACKING UP: THIS SHOULD BE DONE DAILY, OR AT THE VERY LEAST WEEKLY. IDEALLY HAVE 3 VERSIONS, WITH 1 OFF-SITE, IN CASE OF FIRE ETC IF YOUR MACHINE IS YOUR LIVELIHOOD.
Typical duration: Variable
Full Course List
Adobe Photoshop Training
Adobe Photoshop Course Summaries
Adobe Photoshop: Basic Level
Adobe Photoshop: Intermediate Level
Adobe Photoshop: Advanced Level
Adobe Photoshop: For Print
Adobe Photoshop: For Web
Adobe Photoshop: Image Manipulation
Adobe Photoshop: Crash Course
Adobe Photoshop: Upgrade Course
Adobe Photoshop: Bespoke Training
Adobe Photoshop: Mixed with Other Software
Adobe Photoshop: Workshop Combo
Adobe Photoshop: NEW! Blitz
Adobe InDesign Training
Adobe InDesign Course Summaries
Adobe InDesign: Basic Level
Adobe InDesign: Intermediate Level
Adobe InDesign: Advanced Level
Adobe InDesign: For Print
Adobe InDesign: For Web
Adobe InDesign: For Editors
Adobe InDesign: Crash Course
Adobe InDesign: Upgrade Course
Adobe InDesign: Bespoke Training
Adobe InDesign: Mixed with Other Software
Adobe InDesign: Workshop Combo
Adobe InDesign: NEW! Blitz
Adobe Illustrator Training
Adobe Illustrator Course Summaries
Adobe Illustrator: Basic Level
Adobe Illustrator: Intermediate Level
Adobe Illustrator: Advanced Level
Adobe Illustrator: For Illustrators
Adobe Illustrator: Crash Course
Adobe Illustrator: Upgrade Course
Adobe Illustrator: Bespoke Training
Adobe Illustrator: Mixed with Other Software
Adobe Illustrator: Workshop Combo
Adobe Illustrator: NEW! Blitz
Adobe Dreamweaver Training
Adobe Dreamweaver Course Summaries
Adobe Dreamweaver: Basic Level
Adobe Dreamweaver: Intermediate Level
Adobe Dreamweaver: Advanced Level
Adobe Dreamweaver: For Editors
Adobe Dreamweaver: CSS Training
Adobe Dreamweaver: Crash Course
Adobe Dreamweaver: Upgrade Course
Adobe Dreamweaver: Bespoke Training
Adobe Dreamweaver: Mixed with Other Software
Adobe Dreamweaver: Workshop Combo
Adobe Dreamweaver: NEW! Blitz
Adobe Flash Training
Adobe Flash Course Summaries
Adobe Flash: Basic Level
Adobe Flash: Intermediate Level
Adobe Flash: Advanced Level (COMING SOON)
Adobe Flash: Crash Course
Adobe Flash: Upgrade Course
Adobe Flash: Mixed with Other Software
Adobe Flash: Bespoke Training
Adobe Flash: NEW! Blitz (COMING SOON)
Quark Xpress Training
Quark Xpress Course Summaries
Quark Xpress: Basic Level
Quark Xpress: Intermediate Level
Quark Xpress: Advanced Level
Quark Xpress: For Print
Quark Xpress: For Web
Quark Xpress: For Editors
Quark Xpress: Crash Course
Quark Xpress: Upgrade Course
Quark Xpress: Bespoke Training
Quark Xpress: Mixed with Other Software
Quark Xpress: Workshop Combo
Quark Xpress: NEW! Blitz
Microsoft Office Training
Microsoft Office: Word – Basic Level
Microsoft Office: Word – Intermediate Level
Microsoft Office: Word – Advanced Level
Microsoft Office: Excel – Basic Level
Microsoft Office: Excel – Intermediate Level
Microsoft Office: Excel – Advanced Level
Microsoft Office: Powerpoint – Basic Level
Microsoft Office: Powerpoint – Intermediate Level
Microsoft Office: Powerpoint – Advanced Level
FileMaker Pro Training
FileMaker Pro Course Summaries
FileMaker Pro: Basic Level
FileMaker Pro: Intermediate Level
FileMaker Pro: Advanced Level (COMING SOON)
FileMaker Pro: Crash Course
FileMaker Pro: Upgrade Course
FileMaker Pro: Bespoke Training
FileMaker Pro: Mixed with Other Software
FileMaker Pro: Workshop Combo
FileMaker Pro: NEW! Blitz (COMING SOON)
Print Design Training
Design for Print Course Summaries
Design for Print: Basic Level
Design for Print: Intermediate Level
Design for Print: Advanced Level
Design for Print: For Production
Design for Print: Crash Course
Design for Print: Upgrade Course
Design for Print: Mixed with Other Software
Design for Print: Bespoke Training
Design for Print: Workshop Combo
Design for Print: NEW! Blitz
Web Design Training
Design for Web: Basic Level
Design for Web: Intermediate Level
Design for Web: Advanced Level
Design for Web: For Editors
Design for Web: CSS
Design for Web: Crash Course
Design for Web: Upgrade Course
Design for Web: Mixed with Other Software
Design for Web: Bespoke Training
Design for Web: Workshop Combo
Design for Web: NEW! Blitz
Web Overview for Business/Start-up Web Course
Apple Mac Training
Apple Mac Training: Operating System
Apple Mac Training: Migration from PC
Apple Mac Training: Troubleshooting
Apple Mac Training: OS & Apple Software in Detail
Apple Mac Training: Crash Course
Apple Mac Training: Upgrade Course
Apple Mac Training: Bespoke Training
Apple Mac Training: Mixed with Other Software
Apple Mac Training: NEW! Blitz
Design Workshops
Design Workshop Course Summaries
Design Workshop: Website Design
Design Workshop: Magazine Design
Design Workshop: Branding Design
Design Workshop: Leaflet Design
Design Workshop: Book Design
WHY TRAIN WITH BOOST?
- Our professional experience of the software
- Direct interactivity with the program
- Growing reputation as one of Bristol's finest training companies
- Our patience and personable attitude
- We can come to you – enabling us to assess any quirky problems that arise on your system
- Post-training support
- Our extra knowledge of the industry
- Our extra-curriculum resources
- Absolute flexibility with venue
- Absolute flexibility with dates
- Pre-course tailoring
- Bring your own work along for live results relevant to your job
- Our group courses are great fun!
STRUGGLING TO FIND A COURSE THAT SUITS YOU?
- Fill in our "Specific Enquiry Form", and we will get back to you within 24 hours, or
- Call us on 0117 924 6264 – far quicker. If no-one is available to take your call, please leave your name and contact number and we will call you back the same day
- Send us an email, on enquiries@designtraining.co.uk
WANT TO USE YOUR OWN LAPTOP?
That's fine by us! We do have a few spare power cables, but sadly we cannot take responsibility for any cables etc you might forget to bring.
"Our job is to bring learning to life, not regurgitate manuals."
Traci Rochester
FOUNDER