286 results found with an empty search
Blog Posts (196)
- Six Strange Stories by A.H. Mohammed - Book Review
Age Range: 9–13 years | Genre: Children's Fiction | Themes: Bravery, family, identity, heritage If you have ever tried to find an African children's book that is genuinely scary, rooted in familiar West African landscapes, and filled with characters who feel like real kids from your neighbourhood, Six Strange Stories by A.H. Mohammed might be exactly what you have been looking for. In one hundred and sixty-five pages, A.H. Mohammed delivers six distinct stories set across Liberia, Nigeria and London. Boys and girls take centre stage in each story as they face three kinds of fear: the mystical, the tangible and the emotional. The book is best suited for readers aged nine to thirteen. Younger children may find the themes difficult to fully appreciate, while older readers may have moved beyond some of the preoccupations the characters deal with. What the book does well The writing is clear and the transitions between scenes flow naturally. A.H. Mohammed uses italics to signal the sounds characters hear and the thoughts running through their minds, a small technique that makes it very easy to follow the action. His depictions of sibling rivalry and teasing will feel instantly familiar to young readers, and that sense of recognition is one of the book's strengths. The narrative voice in each story is one of the most refreshing aspects of Six Strange Stories. Rather than presenting events in a detached, stiff manner, Mohammed's narrators comment on what is unfolding as though they are thinking alongside the reader. In Of Twins and Sprites, for example, the narrator remarks on the consequences of siblings quarrelling in a way that feels like a knowing nudge rather than a lecture. The book also represents the African context with care and confidence. Village settings sit alongside urban ones, and both feel authentic. There are references to West African superstitions, goblins, dwarfs and friendly witches that connect to African Traditional Religion, giving the stories a distinctive cultural texture that is rarely found in children's fiction of this kind. Six Strange Stories is genuinely educational. Children encounter themes of racism, socio-economic difference, historical conflict and autism woven naturally into the narrative. These are subjects many young readers may never personally experience, but the book introduces them in a way that builds empathy and awareness. The cover illustration deserves a specific mention. It does an excellent job of previewing the spirit and atmosphere of the pages that follow. A few things to consider before buying Parents and educators should be aware that The Stories of Suah, the most intense of the six, explores war, the afterlife and separated families. Its scenes of sad ghost children are dark and may be distressing for more sensitive readers. This story, more than the others, would benefit from adult guidance or at least a parental note at the start. There's Something About Ade, the most engaging of the six, contains a scene where a school-age boy asks a girl to be his sweetheart. While no romantic relationship develops from this, it is worth noting for parents who prefer to guide those conversations themselves. A.H. Mohammed's command of English is strong and his vocabulary ambitious, but some words, including “aghast”, “simian”, “séance”, “gabbled” and “simperingly”, may leave younger or less advanced readers confused. A short glossary at the back of the book, or brief in-text explanations similar to the one Mohammed uses for the word “smorgasbord” in There's Something About Ade, would make the book accessible to a wider age range. One small note on illustrations: the full-body image of the guardian sprite in Of Twins and Sprites appears before the character has been fully described in the text. Moving it a few pages later would have better matched the reading experience to the visual. Our overall assessment Story: The Stories of Suah contains scenes that may be too unsettling for the younger end of the recommended age range. Language: The prose is lively and well-constructed, but the use of advanced vocabulary without explanation is a missed opportunity. Cultural relevance: The stories depict African traditional values, parenting styles and religious beliefs with realism and nuance. Educational value: The book introduces children to racism, socio-economic realities, historical wars and autism in an age-appropriate and meaningful way. Our recommendation Six Strange Stories is an enjoyable, culturally rich and thoughtful collection that stands out in the African children's publishing landscape. Muna Kalati recommends it for publication and distribution on condition that a sensitivity note is added to The Stories of Suah, advising parents or guardians that the story contains intense themes that may not be suitable for all children within the recommended age range. With that addition, Six Strange Stories earns its place on the shelves of classrooms, libraries and homes across the continent and beyond. Reviewed by: Elikem Hottor
- Children are not as averse to a good fright– a conversation with Mohammed AH
1. Every writer has a moment that pushed them into storytelling. What experiences shaped you into the writer you are today? Like virtually all writers, I loved reading from childhood. Like many African children from a similar background, I read books from western and local authors – mostly foreign to be honest. From enjoying books, I progressed to trying to create them. Of course, as I discovered, writing is a completely different kettle of fish. My previous published books have been for teenagers and young adults. But then I had stories for children brewing about in my head and in half abandoned manuscripts for years. People think writing for children is simple. In way it is because there are strict limits to how complex the story can be, types of words and appropriate themes. But it is very difficult to get it right, because one needs to get inside the head of a child to see how a story would work from their perspective without talking down to them. Very few people have been able to achieve this. It was a real challenge for me. 2. Why did you choose the title Six Strange Stories? What makes these stories ‘strange’ beyond mystery or fantasy? A strange question! I have discovered stories seem to take an identity of their own. In this case, I think the tales are a little bit weird – not exactly what one would expect. Each story is very different and there’s something unexpected for the reader. They range from the whimsically humorous to the spooky and the psychological. Although there is an underlying theme that unites them all. I think the title is appropriate enough suggesting the magic realism nature of some of the tales. 3. Many African children grow up consuming foreign stories. How important is it for African children to see African settings, emotions, spirituality, and realities inside fiction? Many African children grow up consuming foreign tales because that is what is readily available and accessible. They are everywhere. Of course, our colonial heritage plays a major role, but the educational systems and world media are built around a foreign narrative. It is not in itself a bad thing though because as I have mentioned I grew up reading writers like CS Lewis, Enid Blyton, Roald Dahl together with our African folktales. It was clear that the protagonists in those stories did not look like me and the writers probably didn’t have African children in mind while writing them, but yet it didn’t matter, because I still enjoyed them and this illustrates the universal appeal of good stories. I also devoured our stories from authors like Cyprian Ekwensi, Chinua Achebe, Mabel Segun and others from the African Writers Series about our culture with children/protagonists that I could identify with. It evoked a different feeling which suggested that these were stories for me. It is important for African children to see familiar settings because this tells them that we do matter. Our unique stories and experiences matter. Our rich cultural heritage is an endless joy to discover. 4. “Your stories mix realism, mystery, and imagination. What role do you think imagination plays in helping children and teenagers understand the real world?” What would we do without imagination? Setting us free from the drudge of daily life and telling us about endless possibilities… Well, CS Lewis (who is possibly my favourite author) spoke about the need to have fairy tales. Fairy tales are enjoyed by children and yet do not deceive them about the real world. They will meet aspects of good and evil in the real world. Let them defeat those dragons in the stories. 5. Which story in the book was the hardest for you to write, and why? Hmm that’s a tough one. It’s hard to write any story because there are many things involved. Writing is hard! But I would say probably The Stories of Suah, because I found it quite tough to get the tone right – in an appropriate way for children. As a child I remember seeing and reading about the numerous reports of the Liberian war in the adult newspapers from the relative safety of our living room in Lagos and this somehow stayed with me over the years. A war story involving children? For children? A reviewer noted aspects of that story might be too distressing. It is a sort of horror story because war is macabre. Yet I think children are not as averse to a good fright as one might think! For example, Roald Dahl’s ‘The Witches’ is by any standard a spine-chilling piece of work for any child to read. Yet it is regarded as a modern classic of children’s literature and has been enjoyed by numerous children over the years despite scaring the bejeezus out of them. Many fairy tales and folktales are quite dark when you come to think about it. 6. What do you hope a young African reader feels after finishing Six Strange Stories? I hope they enjoy and maybe learn from them. The first purpose of any story is to entertain. If they could bring pleasure and make them feel and think the way stories made me feel as a young child, then my work is done. 7. If this book became an animated series or film tomorrow, what would you want audiences around the world to understand about Africa through these stories? We have a variety of stories to tell too. Diverse and rich. But above all I want African children to know there are stories for and about them. Mohammed AH
- How African Publishers and Authors Can Turn Great Books into Sustainable Impact
Every year, thousands of books are published across Africa. Many are beautifully written. Many address important issues. Many have the potential to inspire children, transform families, and preserve culture. Yet most never reach the audience they deserve. The problem is rarely the quality of the story. The problem is visibility. Readers cannot buy books they never discover. Schools cannot adopt books they never hear about. Parents cannot recommend stories they have never encountered. In today's publishing landscape, success requires more than writing. It requires positioning, discoverability, audience building, and strategic distribution. This is where Muna Kalati Literary Agency comes in. Bridging the Gap Between Great Stories and Their Readers Muna Kalati Literary Agency was created to help African publishers and authors overcome one of the biggest challenges in publishing: connecting exceptional content with the people who need it most. We support authors and publishers with editorial, marketing, translation, and creative solutions that increase visibility, strengthen brand presence, and open new opportunities for growth. Our work is built on a simple belief: African stories deserve African and global audiences. Whether you are publishing children's books, educational content, faith-based resources, or general literature, your book should not remain hidden because of limited marketing capacity or lack of access to the right networks. More Than a Service Provider. A Growth Partner. Most agencies focus on a single piece of the puzzle. Some design covers. Some run advertisements. Some offer translation. Some provide public relations support. The challenge is that publishing success rarely comes from a single activity. It comes from a coordinated ecosystem that helps authors build awareness, trust, engagement, and ultimately sales. Muna Kalati was designed to serve as that ecosystem. Instead of looking at a book as a standalone product, we help publishers and authors think about the entire journey: • How readers discover a book • Why they choose to trust the author • How communities are built around stories • How content can be repurposed into multiple formats • How books can continue generating value long after launch This shift in thinking often makes the difference between a book that disappears and a book that creates lasting impact. Helping African Stories Travel Further One of the greatest barriers to growth in publishing is language. Africa is home to thousands of languages and a rapidly growing multilingual population. Beyond the continent, millions of readers are interested in African stories but cannot access them because of language barriers. Translation is therefore not just a technical exercise. It is a growth strategy. By making books accessible to new audiences, publishers can increase readership, strengthen cultural exchange, and unlock opportunities in new markets. At Muna Kalati, we help publishers and authors expand the reach of their stories while preserving the authenticity, tone, and cultural richness that make African literature unique. Building Visibility in a Noisy World One of the biggest misconceptions in publishing is that good books automatically attract readers. They do not. Readers are overwhelmed with content every day. Books compete with videos, social media, podcasts, games, and countless other forms of entertainment. Visibility must be intentional. This means helping authors establish a clear brand, communicate their message effectively, and position their work in ways that resonate with their target audience. It also means creating meaningful engagement through interviews, reviews, social media content, community outreach, and strategic storytelling. Visibility is not about being everywhere. It is about being visible in the right places to the right people. Creating Multiple Pathways for Growth The future of publishing is increasingly multi-format. A book can become an audiobook. A children's story can become an animation. Educational content can be adapted into learning resources. Stories can live on mobile applications, streaming platforms, magazines, and school programs. Authors and publishers who embrace these opportunities can reach wider audiences and create additional revenue streams without constantly producing new content. At Muna Kalati, we help clients explore these possibilities through a broader ecosystem that includes digital publishing, children's media, educational platforms, and content adaptation opportunities. The goal is simple: maximize the value and lifespan of every story. The Future Belongs to Authors Who Build Communities Publishing is changing. The most successful authors are no longer relying solely on bookstores or traditional distribution channels. They are building direct relationships with readers. They are creating communities. They are nurturing trust. They are developing audiences that follow them from one book to the next. This approach creates resilience, sustainability, and long-term growth. A strong community can become your best marketing asset, your most reliable source of feedback, and your most effective ambassador. Books may start the conversation. Communities sustain it. A New Chapter for African Publishing Africa has no shortage of stories. What we need are stronger systems to help those stories travel further, reach more readers, and create greater impact. Authors should not have to choose between creating great content and promoting it effectively. Publishers should not struggle to access the expertise needed to compete in a digital world. At Muna Kalati Literary Agency, our mission is to help bridge that gap. We work alongside publishers and authors to increase visibility, expand reach, strengthen engagement, and unlock new opportunities for growth. Because every great story deserves more than publication. It deserves discovery. It deserves readership. And it deserves the opportunity to change lives. Learn more about Muna Kalati's services at: Muna Kalati Services
Other Pages (81)
- Photo Editing
Graphic Design Launch your career as a professional graphic designer. Master industry-standard tools and techniques to create stunning visual identities, marketing materials, and digital assets. Build a portfolio that gets you noticed and start turning your passion for design into a successful career. Enroll Now Graphic Design GH₵ 1310 GH₵ 1500 Duration Software Time Illustrator or CorelDraw 4 weeks 12pm -3pm Level Mentorship 1 month Beginner Register Now Create Stunning Graphic Designs in our intensive 4-week course Designed for aspiring graphic designers, this comprehensive four-week course on Seed LMS guides you step-by-step through Adobe Illustrator and innovative AI workflows. You will build the essential skills of shape construction, precise typography, colour theory, and vector illustration while developing a professional creative pipeline. Beyond the core four weeks, you’ll receive a full month of free, one-on-one mentorship to polish your final designs, troubleshoot your layouts in real-time, and confidently build your graphic design portfolio. Choose from our curated pool of 10 exciting project briefs, refine your skills, and graduate with high-quality print and web assets. Course Outline Week 1: The BIM Foundation – Interface & Core Shell Topic A: Setup & Workflow Vector vs. Raster: Understanding why logos must be vectors (maths-based) vs. pixels. Interface Tour: Workspaces, Artboards, Tools Panel, and Properties Panel. Navigation: Zooming, Panning (Hand Tool), and Outline Mode (Cmd/Ctrl + Y). Document Setup: CMYK (Print) vs. RGB (Screen). Setting up Bleeds for printing. Topic B: Basic Shapes & Selection Shape Tools: Rectangle, Ellipse, Polygon, and Star tools. Selection Logic: Selection Tool (V) for moving objects vs. Direct Selection Tool (A) for moving anchor points. Transformation: Scaling, Rotating, and Reflecting objects precisely. Topic C: Colour & Appearance Fill & Stroke: The difference between the inside colour and the outline. Swatches: Saving brand colours for consistency. Gradients: Linear, Radial, and Freeform gradients. Week 2: The Pen Tool, Typography & Construction Topic A: Mastering the Pen Tool The Logic: Anchor Points and Bezier Handles. Drawing Paths: Creating straight lines vs. curves. Editing Paths: Adding/Deleting anchor points and converting corners to curves. Topic B: Shape Construction Pathfinder Panel: Unite, Minus Front, Intersect. The “Old School” way. Shape Builder Tool: The modern, faster way to merge and subtract overlapping shapes. Clipping Masks: Placing a photo or pattern inside a shape or text. Topic C: Typography Character Panel: Choosing fonts, Kerning (space between two letters), and Tracking (space between all letters). Type on a Path: Making text curve around a circle (e.g., for badge logos). Outlining Text: Converting text into editable vector shapes for logo design. Week 3: Lookdev – Materials, Site & Still Rendering Topic A: Effects & Depth Appearance Panel: Adding multiple strokes and fills to a single object. Vector Effects: Drop Shadows, Inner Glow, and Grain (Texture). Image Trace: Converting a hand-drawn sketch (Raster) into editable Vector paths automatically. Topic B: Precision & Layout Alignment: Align to Selection vs. Align to Artboard. Distributing objects evenly. Grid & Guides: Using Rulers and Smart Guides to ensure perfect symmetry. Layers: Organising complex illustrations (Background, Mid-ground, Foreground). Topic C: Modern Design Tools Recolour Artwork: Using AI within Illustrator to instantly swap colour palettes. Blend Tool: Creating smooth colour transitions or abstract line patterns. Week 4: AI Workflow, Branding & Final Sprint Topic A: Innovative AI Workflow (Using Gemini) The AI Creative Director: Using Gemini to brainstorm metaphors for logos. Prompt Example: “Give me 5 visual metaphors for a ‘Speedy Coffee Delivery Service’ that do not use a coffee cup or a car.” Colour Theory: Asking Gemini for hex codes based on emotions. Prompt Example: “Generate a 4-colour palette (with Hex codes) for a luxury organic spa. The mood should be ‘Calm, Earthy, and Premium’.” Copywriting: Generating catchy headlines for flyers or body text for brochures. Topic B: Final Polish & Exporting Pre-Flight Check: Checking for spelling errors and missing fonts. Export for Screen: Saving as PNG (Transparent background) and SVG (Scalable for web). Export for Print: Saving as PDF with Bleeds and Crop Marks. Mentorship & Portfolio Polish After four weeks of core instruction, students enter a free 1-month mentorship delivered online via Discord. This phase shifts the focus from learning new tools to applying them to industry standards. Project Polish & Portfolio Building: Finish or redo your 2 required projects. High-quality submissions ensure better scores and a stronger portfolio. Weekly 1-on-1 Sessions: Each student is assigned a dedicated mentor for a personalised 30 to 60-minute weekly guidance session. Open File Reviews: Present open project files via live screen sharing for direct mentor critiques and feedback. Live Debugging: Join dedicated livestreams where instructors actively troubleshoot settings and fix your project errors in real-time. Final Premiere: Submit your fully rendered images or video for the Virtual Viewing Party to watch and critique final reels with the class. Certification & Next Steps: Complete the course evaluation and submit all final polished projects to finalise grading and unlock your Certificate of Completion. What’s Inside? 1-on-1 Mentorship One full month of dedicated expert guidance tailored to your specific goals. Seed LMS Access Lifetime access to the Student Portal, hosting all your modules and resources. Weekly Interactive Quizzes Test your skills and track progress with gamified assignments and feedback. Official Certification Validate your expertise with a digital certificate recognized by industry leaders. What You Will Learn Navigate the Adobe Illustrator interface and understand vector vs. raster graphics Construct complex logos and illustrations using basic shapes and the Pen Tool Apply essential typography principles like kerning, tracking, and type on a path Create depth and texture using gradients, clipping masks, and vector effects Organise precise layouts for flyers and social media using grids and alignment tools Utilise AI tools to brainstorm concepts, generate colour palettes, and write copy Prepare and export flawless design files for high-quality print and web use Leather Jacket 120$
- 3D Architectural Animation
3D Architectural Animation Harness the power of Twinmotion for fast, photorealistic architectural animation. This course bridges the gap between CAD/BIM models and high-quality cinematic flythroughs, allowing you to showcase your projects with stunning environmental context and dynamic lighting. Enroll Now 3D Architectural Animation GH₵ 982 GH₵ 1259.0 Duration Software Time 9-12am or 1-4pm Level Twinmotion 2 weeks Beginner Mentorship 1 month Register Now Animate your first architectural model in our intensive 2-week course Designed for aspiring architectural visualisers, this intensive two-week course on Seed LMS guides you step-by-step through Twinmotion and modern AI workflows. You will develop the essential skills of real-time rendering, environmental lighting, PBR material application, and cinematic camera movement while building a professional architectural animation pipeline. Beyond the core two weeks, you’ll receive a full month of free, one-on-one mentorship to polish your final animations, troubleshoot your renders in real-time, and confidently build your visualisation portfolio. Choose from our curated pool of 10 exciting architectural briefs, refine your skills, and graduate with photorealistic, portfolio-ready video walkthroughs. Course Outline Week 1: The Node Graph & Linear Workflow Topic A: The Direct Link (Datasmith) Workflow: Installing the Datasmith plugin in Revit. Syncing: Using “Direct Link” to update the Revit model changes inside Twinmotion instantly. Interface Tour: The Library, Scenegraph, and Properties panel. Navigation: WASD movement and speed control (Walk vs. Fly mode). Topic B: Materials & Decals (PBR) Material Library: Replacing Revit’s basic textures with Twinmotion’s PBR (Physically Based Rendering) materials. Customisation: Adjusting Grunge, Weathering, and Reflection. Decals: Adding realism by placing dirt stains, road markings, and manhole covers on surfaces. Topic C: Environment & Lighting Dynamic Weather: Creating rain, snow, and wet surfaces with a slider. Global Illumination (Lumen): Understanding the difference between Standard and Path Tracer rendering. HDRI Skydomes: Using high-dynamic-range images for realistic background lighting. Vegetation Paint: Rapidly planting forests and gardens using the “Paint Terrain” tool. Week 2: Animation, Media & AI Workflow Topic A: Living Architecture (Crowds & Traffic) Paths: Creating animated paths for Vehicles and Pedestrians. Character Library: Placing posed humans and animated groups. Custom Paths: Animating bespoke objects (e.g., opening sliding gates or flying birds). Topic B: Phasing & BIM Motion Phasing Tool: Animating the construction process (Foundation -> Structure -> Façade). BIM Motion: Exporting a standalone executable file that allows clients to walk through the building on their own computer (like a video game). Topic C: Cinematography & AI Integration Camera Keyframing: Setting up smooth “Walkthrough” and “Flyover” shots. Focal Lengths: Using 18mm for interiors and 35mm-50mm for exteriors. Innovative AI Workflow (Using Gemini): The Scriptwriter: Using Gemini to write a voiceover script for the architectural walkthrough. Prompt Example: “Write a 30-second luxury real estate voiceover script for a modern beachfront villa. Focus on the ‘indoor-outdoor living’ aspect.” Texture Generation: Describing a specific, unique material to Gemini to find similar PBR maps or generate prompt ideas for texture AI tools. Mentorship & Portfolio Polish After two weeks of core instruction, students enter a free 1-month mentorship delivered online via Discord. This phase shifts the focus from learning new tools to applying them to industry standards. Project Polish & Portfolio Building: Finish or redo your 2 required projects. High-quality submissions ensure better scores and a stronger portfolio. Weekly 1-on-1 Sessions: Each student is assigned a dedicated mentor for a personalised 30 to 60-minute weekly guidance session. Open File Reviews: Present open project files via live screen sharing for direct mentor critiques and feedback. Live Debugging: Join dedicated livestreams where instructors actively troubleshoot settings and fix your project errors in real-time. Final Premiere: Submit your fully rendered images or video for the Virtual Viewing Party to watch and critique final reels with the class. Certification & Next Steps: Complete the course evaluation and submit all final polished projects to finalise grading and unlock your Certificate of Completion. What’s Inside? 1-on-1 Mentorship One full month of dedicated expert guidance tailored to your specific goals. Seed LMS Access Lifetime access to the Student Portal, hosting all your modules and resources. Weekly Interactive Quizzes Test your skills and track progress with gamified assignments and feedback. Official Certification Validate your expertise with a digital certificate recognized by industry leaders. What You Will Learn Synchronise Revit models directly into Twinmotion using the Datasmith link Apply and customise high-fidelity PBR materials and realistic surface decals Design immersive environments using dynamic weather, Lumen, and HDRI lighting Populate architectural scenes with animated pedestrian crowds and vehicle traffic Animate construction phasing and generate interactive BIM Motion walkthroughs Execute cinematic camera movements for photorealistic flyovers and interior tours Utilise AI tools to write professional voiceover scripts and brainstorm textures Leather Jacket 120$ Our Partners We are partners with reputable organizations who have invested deeply in our creative talents.
- Photo Editing
Photo Editing Master professional photo editing techniques to enhance colors, refine details, and create stunning visual narratives. From basic adjustments to advanced retouching, gain the skills to make every shot look its absolute best. Enroll Now Photo Editing GH₵ 1500 GH₵ 1310 Duration Software Time Level Mentorship 4 weeks Adobe Photoshop 12pm -3pm Beginner 1 month Register Now Retouch your first professional photo in our intensive 4-week course Designed for aspiring photo editors, this comprehensive four-week course on Seed LMS guides you step-by-step through Adobe Photoshop and modern AI workflows. You will develop the essential skills of non-destructive editing, advanced selection, professional skin retouching, colour correction, and digital compositing while building a professional post-production pipeline. Beyond the core four weeks, you’ll receive a full month of free, one-on-one mentorship to polish your final composites, troubleshoot your layers in real-time, and confidently build your photo editing portfolio. Choose from our curated pool of 10 exciting photo editing briefs, refine your skills, and graduate with high-quality, commercial-grade images. Course Outline Week 1: The Canvas – Interface, Layers & Selections Topic A: Setup & Digital Basics The Workspace: Customising toolbars and panels for efficiency. Resolution & Colour: Understanding DPI (Print vs Web) and Colour Modes (RGB vs CMYK). File Formats: When to use PSD, JPEG, PNG, and TIFF. Topic B: The Power of Layers Layer Stack: Backgrounds vs Layers. Adjustment Layers: Changing brightness and colour without damaging pixels. Layer Masks: The “Black hides, White reveals” principle. Topic C: Selection Tools Marquee & Lasso: Basic geometric and freehand selections. Object Selection & Subject Select: Using Photoshop’s internal AI to isolate objects instantly. Refine Edge: How to select difficult areas like hair or fur. Week 2: The Surgeon – Retouching & Healing Topic A: Content-Aware Tools Spot Healing & Patch Tool: Removing acne, dust, and small distractions. Clone Stamp: Manually duplicating pixels for precise repairs. Content-Aware Fill: Deleting large objects and letting Photoshop “fill in the blanks.” Topic B: Portrait Retouching Basics Smoothing Skin: Balancing texture while maintaining realism. Dodge & Burn: Using light and shadow to add depth to faces. Eyes & Teeth: Enhancing details and brightening smiles naturally. Topic C: Liquify & Transformation Liquify Filter: Subtle adjustments to shapes and proportions. Perspective Warp: Correcting “leaning” buildings or distorted products. Week 3: The Artist – Colour, Light & Compositing Topic A: Advanced Colour Correction Levels & Curves: Mastering the histogram for perfect exposure. Hue/Saturation & Selective Colour: Changing the colour of specific objects (e.g., changing a red car to blue). Camera Raw Filter: Applying high-end photographic “looks” within Photoshop. Topic B: Introduction to Compositing Match Colour: Forcing a foreground subject to adopt the lighting of a background. Blending Modes: Using “Screen,” “Multiply,” and “Overlay” for textures and light hits. Shadow Construction: Manually painting shadows to ground an object in a new environment. Topic C: Brushes & Textures Custom Brushes: Installing and using brushes for smoke, clouds, or grit. Week 4: The Future – AI Workflows & Social Delivery Topic A: Innovative AI Workflow (Using Gemini) The AI Creative Director: Using Gemini to generate “Mood Boards” and colour palette descriptions. Prompt Example: “Suggest a colour palette for a luxury watch advertisement that feels ‘Midnight’ and ‘Premium’. Provide the Hex codes.” The Problem Solver: Describing a difficult edit to Gemini to get a step-by-step Photoshop workflow. AI Concept Art: Using Gemini to write detailed prompts for Photoshop’s Generative Fill. Topic B: Photoshop Generative Fill Generative Expand: Changing a portrait (9:16) into a landscape (16:9) by letting AI “dream” the rest of the scene. Generative Remove: Using AI to delete complex objects from busy backgrounds. Topic C: Exporting & Professional Delivery Export for Web: Optimising for Instagram/Facebook without losing quality. Print Prep: Setting up bleeds, margins, and converting to CMYK. Project, Mentorship and Assessment After four weeks of core instruction, students enter a free 1-month mentorship delivered online via Discord. This phase shifts the focus from learning new tools to applying them to industry standards. Project Polish & Portfolio Building: Finish or redo your 2 required projects. High-quality submissions ensure better scores and a stronger portfolio. Weekly 1-on-1 Sessions: Each student is assigned a dedicated mentor for a personalised 30 to 60-minute weekly guidance session. Open File Reviews: Present open project files via live screen sharing for direct mentor critiques and feedback. Live Debugging: Join dedicated livestreams where instructors actively troubleshoot settings and fix your project errors in real-time. Final Premiere: Submit your fully rendered images or video for the Virtual Viewing Party to watch and critique final reels with the class. Certification & Next Steps: Complete the course evaluation and submit all final polished projects to finalise grading and unlock your Certificate of Completion. What’s Inside? 1-on-1 Mentorship One full month of dedicated expert guidance tailored to your specific goals. Seed LMS Access Lifetime access to the Student Portal, hosting all your modules and resources. Weekly Interactive Quizzes Test your skills and track progress with gamified assignments and feedback. Official Certification Validate your expertise with a digital certificate recognized by industry leaders. What You Will Learn Navigate the Adobe Photoshop interface and build a non-destructive layer workflow Isolate complex subjects using advanced selection tools and layer masks Clean and repair images using content-aware tools, clone stamps, and healing brushes Perform professional portrait retouching with texture preservation and skin smoothing Apply advanced colour correction, read histograms, and match lighting for composites Combine multiple photos using blending modes, custom brushes, and shadow construction Utilise AI tools like Generative Fill to expand scenes, remove objects, and brainstorm concepts Leather Jacket 120$ Our Partners We are partners with reputable organizations who have invested deeply in our creative talents.









