<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>Martin College Blog</title>
	<atom:link href="http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://blog.martincollege.edu.au</link>
	<description>Education, career and industry information</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Tue, 15 May 2012 08:24:42 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1</generator>
		<item>
		<title>Explore the use of colour</title>
		<link>http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/graphic-design/explore-colour/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=explore-colour</link>
		<comments>http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/graphic-design/explore-colour/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 15 May 2012 08:24:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Graphic Design]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/?p=1187</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The use of colour can inspire a range of different human emotions. We associate different colours with different meanings and contexts. For this reason, the use of colour in graphic design can be leveraged to enhance the effect of graphics &#8230; <a href="http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/graphic-design/explore-colour/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img title="Colour Book" src=" http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/mc-colour-book.jpg" alt="Colour Book" /></p>
<p>The use of colour can inspire a range of different human emotions. We associate different colours with different meanings and contexts. For this reason, the use of colour in graphic design can be leveraged to enhance the effect of graphics in a variety of ways, often with strong commercial outcomes for areas such as branding and marketing. <span id="more-1187"></span></p>
<h2>Colour Attributes</h2>
<p>While colour associations maybe subjective and vary from individual to individual, research has shown that it&#8217;s possible to generalise with a good degree of success when it comes to the characteristics and moods we attribute to colour in western countries.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Red</strong> has been shown to raise blood pressure and improve circulation</li>
<li><strong>Blue</strong> supposedly has a calming and soothing effect</li>
<li><strong>Orange</strong> boosts energy levels</li>
<li><strong>Yellow</strong> stimulates the nerves and has a purifying effect on the body</li>
<li><strong>People</strong> associate purple with luxury and wealth</li>
<li><strong>Metallic</strong> tones such as gold and silver are associated with prestige</li>
<li><strong>Green</strong> is associated with the natural world, freshness, coolness, and growth</li>
<li><strong>Pink</strong> brings a feminine tone that&#8217;s associated with softness</li>
<li><strong>White</strong> is considered pure, clean, and mild</li>
<li><strong>Black</strong> brings a sense of mystery, elegance, and seduction</li>
</ul>
<h2>Colour in Communication</h2>
<p>Colour has an almost unconscious effect, sending subconscious messages to the viewer. It&#8217;s used strategically in commercial application.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Packaging.</strong> In food, appetising colours are used to appeal to the particular demographic. Children&#8217;s foods may have bright colours, while health foods often make use of earth browns and greens.</li>
<li><strong>Festivals.</strong> Colour can be leveraged to heighten visual impact and visibility during special times of the year. For example, green and red is regularly used during Christmas on different products or advertising materials.</li>
<li><strong>Branding.</strong> Branding is one of the most common examples of the successful use of colour in graphic design. Colour is used to improve branding association and to denote a connection. For example, the red and white of Coca Cola, the minimalistic silver and grey of Apple computers, or the cool black and blue of BMW are all featured colours in these companies&#8217; respective logos.</li>
<li><strong>Fast food restaurants.</strong> Many fast food restaurants make liberal usage of yellows, reds, and oranges in their logos and packaging materials. These colours are said to energise, which appears to fit well with the fast food principle.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Materials and Tools for Using Colour</h2>
<p>Graphic Designers utilise software programs such the Adobe suites. As colour can vary depending on the calibration of your monitor, there are a range of tools available to achieve an accurate calibration so that the final printed product is near identical to the colour you seen on the screen. Software programs such as Adobe Gamma are available, in addition to free online monitor calibrators.</p>
<p>Graphic Designers also use a range of tools to help identify the right colour scheme for their projects. These work by generating colours and schemes, helping the designer &#8216;brainstorm&#8217; for a right colour scheme.</p>
<p>There&#8217;s no question about it &#8211; if you&#8217;re planning to take a course in graphic design, colour is set to become a big part of your life and your livelihood! Martin College offers a range of <a title="Martin College Graphic Design Courses" href="http://www.martincollege.edu.au/courses/graphic-design-courses.aspx">graphic design courses.</a></p>
<p><a title="Martin College website" href="http://www.martincollege.edu.au">Visit Martin College website &gt;</a></p>
<script type="text/javascript" class="owbutton" src="http://onlywire.com/btn/button_82628" title="Explore the use of colour" url="http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/graphic-design/explore-colour/"></script>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/graphic-design/explore-colour/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Transforming Data into Knowledge</title>
		<link>http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/business-management/transforming-data-knowledge/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=transforming-data-knowledge</link>
		<comments>http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/business-management/transforming-data-knowledge/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 May 2012 07:44:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business & Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marketing]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/?p=1094</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[For entrepreneurs and businesses, market research is a crucial tool for everything from strategy, to product development and planning. What is market research, exactly? Market research is the process by which a business gathers data about markets and customers. It &#8230; <a href="http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/business-management/transforming-data-knowledge/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img title="Martin College students researching" src="http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/mc-research.jpg" alt="Martin College students researching" /></p>
<p>For entrepreneurs and businesses, market research is a crucial tool for everything from strategy, to product development and planning. What is market research, exactly? Market research is the process by which a business gathers data about markets and customers. It enables businesses to identify market needs, size, competition, habits, and trends. <span id="more-1094"></span></p>
<h2>Why Conduct Market Research?</h2>
<p>There are a number of compelling reasons why businesses &#8211; and aspiring entrepreneurs &#8211; conduct market research&#8230;</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Strategy.</strong> Market research supports the development of an effective business strategy, helping your business set realistic targets.</li>
<li><strong>Alternatives.</strong> Market research helps identify the most promising market opportunities for maintaining a competitive edge.</li>
<li><strong>Workability.</strong> While you may have a lot of exciting ideas about products or services, knowing the preferences or behaviours of your target market may better enable you to sell these products or services successfully.</li>
<li><strong>Quantification.</strong> Market research yields actual numbers that can be used for business plans.</li>
<li><strong>Untapped markets.</strong> Many organisations discover untapped markets or develop new and successful product lines through market research.</li>
<li><strong>Decision making and risk management.</strong> Accurate market research encourages a better understanding of consumers, so that a business can make better decisions and reduce business risk.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Scope of Market Research</h2>
<p>There&#8217;s no limit to the scope of market research; its breadth of focus will depend on your research purpose. A particular market research undertaking may cover social trends as well as consumer opinions.</p>
<p>Some of the areas that maybe addressed:</p>
<ul>
<li>Your customers or potential market, including demographics, size, and spending patterns</li>
<li>What your customers want</li>
<li>Your potential market share</li>
<li>Perception of your products or services</li>
<li>Where your products lines or services fit into the market</li>
<li>Alternatives offered by competitors</li>
<li>Social trends or changing attitudes that may affect your market</li>
</ul>
<h2>Market Research Techniques</h2>
<p>What is market research? At the heart of it is technique, including data interpretation, data analysis, presentation of useful information, and the drawing of meaningful conclusions.</p>
<p>Key steps to conducting market research:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Identify your research objectives.</strong> What&#8217;s the key question you&#8217;re trying to answer? What business decisions will your research inform?</li>
<li><strong>Develop a market research strategy.</strong> In this step you develop a market research strategy that best matches your research question(s). What&#8217;s the best way to answer your research question?</li>
<li><strong>Data collection.</strong> Will be you relying on primary or secondary sources? It&#8217;s sometimes possible to bypass the need for primary research (where you collect new data) by relying on secondary sources. Secondary sources include research journals or publicised surveys.</li>
<li><strong>Types of data.</strong> You&#8217;ll be collecting qualitative or quantitative data. Qualitative data can be as interview-based or survey-based data with a focus on opinions. Quantitative research is concerned with numbers and collective trends.</li>
<li><strong>Analyse the data.</strong> Once the data has been collected, you&#8217;ll be conducting an analysis to make sense of the data. This can include choice modelling, customer analysis, market segment analysis. Different data analysis techniques are used for different studies.</li>
<li><strong>Answer the research question.</strong> After analysing the data, researchers draw logical conclusions to answer the original research question.</li>
<li><strong>Presenting the information.</strong> Presentation of research in an effective manner is vital for all market research projects, as it allows organisations to share research results with staff.</li>
</ul>
<p>Martin College offers a range of short marketing courses including the <a title="Martin College Marketing Research Short Course" href="http://www.martincollege.edu.au/short-courses/market-research.aspx">&#8216;Market Research&#8217; course</a> which provides students with the requisite insight, skills, and knowledge for working with data.</p>
<p><a title="Martin College website" href="http://www.martincollege.edu.au/">Visit Martin College website &gt;</a></p>
<script type="text/javascript" class="owbutton" src="http://onlywire.com/btn/button_82628" title="Transforming Data into Knowledge" url="http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/business-management/transforming-data-knowledge/"></script>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/business-management/transforming-data-knowledge/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Time Management: Studying Smarter</title>
		<link>http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/studying/time-management-studying-smarter/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=time-management-studying-smarter</link>
		<comments>http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/studying/time-management-studying-smarter/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 08 May 2012 04:06:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Studying]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/?p=1037</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Many college students find that the abundance of free or unstructured time at college can get away from them as they try to balance study and a busy social life. To counteract this, students can learn to develop good time &#8230; <a href="http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/studying/time-management-studying-smarter/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img title="Martin College student reading book" src="http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/mc-books.jpg" alt="Martin College student reading book" /></p>
<p>Many college students find that the abundance of free or unstructured time at college can get away from them as they try to balance study and a busy social life. To counteract this, students can learn to develop good time management skills. Learning time management skills will not only support you in achieving your academic goals, it will facilitate a better study-life balance. <span id="more-1037"></span></p>
<h2>Organising Your Schedule: the Multi-Level Approach</h2>
<p>Successfully organise your schedule by taking a multi-level approach. This means to have a dedicated section in your diary for different time frames. You can choose to use a paper diary, or opt for one of those funky apps that can be programmed to automatically sync your phone and computer.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Semester-long view.</strong> The semester long view can be a monthly or yearly section where you highlight key dates or periods. For example, the first and last days of semester, major assignment dates, key exam dates, and the beginning of holidays. Your semester-long view should give you an excellent idea of where you are in the grand scheme of things.</li>
<li><strong>Weekly view.</strong> A week-on-a-page section is where you can plan out your target study hours, note down your contact hours, list your extracurricular and social commitments, and allocate some time for hobbies and relaxation. You should be able view your weekly commitments at a glance.</li>
<li><strong>Daily view.</strong> Your diary should contain enough space per day entry for you to note down daily commitments, such as contact hours and private study hours. Priority tasks can take precedence over less important matters, which can be moved to the next day if you run out of time.</li>
</ul>
<p>Your schedule or diary is never complete; it should be a work in progress. It should have sufficient certainty to be effective, but, at the same time, it should be flexibly applied so you can improve on your time management week by week.</p>
<p>You should review and revise how you’re using time every day, so that you can make improvements to how you plan. As each week passes, you can adjust your study hours as you get a better picture of how you’re using time in each subject.</p>
<h2>Procrastination &#8211; the Student&#8217;s Worst Enemy</h2>
<p>Overcoming procrastination is vital for cultivating good time management skills. There are many causes of procrastination, and they may differ in each person.</p>
<ul>
<li>Stay conscious of why you procrastinate.</li>
<li>Is the task too hard, too overwhelming, to complex, or too boring?</li>
<li>Are you allocating sufficient time for each task? If you’re constantly in a rush, it may become too overwhelming, and cause you to avoid doing work by procrastination.</li>
<li>Sometimes fear of failure causes procrastination. Work through your fear by staying organised, cultivating interest in the subject, and getting help where you need it.</li>
<li>Start small. Don’t try to do everything at one time. Break down the task into small tasks.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Organising Your Study Resources</h2>
<p>Keeping your notes organised can help you get down to studying more quickly. Think about the best way to organise your notes with each subject. Use a single folder to keep all your notes in each subject, or keep them well indexed on your computer if you prefer digital notes. Most word processing programs have a simple index tool.</p>
<p>Some individuals seem to naturally possess great time management skills &#8211; but for the rest of us, it&#8217;s a matter of learning them and exercising a little self-discipline!</p>
<p><a title="Martin College website" href="http://www.martincollege.edu.au/">Visit Martin College website &gt;</a></p>
<script type="text/javascript" class="owbutton" src="http://onlywire.com/btn/button_82628" title="Time Management: Studying Smarter" url="http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/studying/time-management-studying-smarter/"></script>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/studying/time-management-studying-smarter/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Communication Tips</title>
		<link>http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/business-management/communication-tips/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=communication-tips</link>
		<comments>http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/business-management/communication-tips/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 04 May 2012 05:51:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business & Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Career Advancement]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/?p=1019</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Have you ever said or written something that was interpreted in the wrong way? Most of us have probably had that experience at least once. Effective communication is a valuable skill for everyone, regardless of your industry or role. Whether &#8230; <a href="http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/business-management/communication-tips/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img title="Martin College student communicating" src="http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/mc-communication.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<p>Have you ever said or written something that was interpreted in the wrong way? Most of us have probably had that experience at least once. Effective communication is a valuable skill for everyone, regardless of your industry or role. Whether you&#8217;re dealing with clients, colleagues, or staff, communication skills are integral to the workplace. We look at some practical communication skills for the workplace and how to develop them. <span id="more-1019"></span></p>
<h2>Negotiation</h2>
<p>Negotiation is one of the most useful communication skills to have. It involves an ability to strategise successfully in order to reach an outcome that is agreeable to both you and another party.</p>
<ul>
<li>Successful negotiators find points of mutual interest rather than areas of opposition, and work inventively to realise mutual gains.</li>
<li>Effective negotiation reduces and eliminates conflict, and helps you work successfully with stakeholders and other interest groups.</li>
<li>Developing a plan and good pre-negotiation preparation can make a significant difference to the outcome. Preparation may involve knowing your BATNA (best alternative to a negotiated agreement), preparing options for mutual gain, and learning as much as you can about the other side.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Conflict Resolution</h2>
<p>Like negotiation, conflict resolution skills can help your organisation reach agreeable outcomes in the event of competing or conflicting interests. Broadening perspectives, focusing on points of mutual interest, and developing creative options for resolution are just some of the competencies associated with conflict resolution skills.</p>
<h2>Influence</h2>
<p>Developing influence as a leader or employee can facilitate successful leadership and collaboration. Influence is mainly concerned with being able to share your vision or ideas with others in a persuasive manner. Proficient writing, oral communication, and non-verbal communication skills can all contribute positively to growing influence.</p>
<h2>Business Writing</h2>
<p>Clear structure, concision, and observation of formalities can help you create the right impression. Whether it&#8217;s a client, a manager, a team member or a staff member, good business writing skills can help you persuade, sell, provide useful information to others, and work effectively with others.</p>
<h2>Feedback and Coaching Skills</h2>
<p>Leaders and managers need to communicate successfully with employees on a daily basis. Developing the most valuable aspect of your organisation &#8211; your staff &#8211; can involve training and hiring strategies, but also good feedback mechanisms. Being clear and timely is important, as is keeping feedback specific and focused on behaviours. In addition to feedback, coaching skills can help motivate employees and bring out your staff’s full potential, whether for specific projects or at a more general level.</p>
<h2>Analysing and Responding to Opinion</h2>
<p>Being able to quickly analyse and respond effectively to opinion can be invaluable in many settings. This skill set allows you to quickly perceive the meaning behind complex communications, examine the value of opinions that may be in opposition or agreement, and identify potential areas of agreement. It supports communicators in working with others on points of difference, and creates a good basis for persuasion and influence.</p>
<h2>Presenting a Convincing Argument</h2>
<p>Being able to present a perspective convincingly can help others understand your point of view. In working relationships, it can be about building on points of mutual interest. Building credibility, using compelling evidence, and engaging with your audience are all important facets of effective communication and communicating to persuade.</p>
<p>Martin College offers short courses specifically for corporate communication, including <a title="Effective Corporate Communications | Short Course | Martin College" href="http://www.martincollege.edu.au/short-courses/effective-corporate-communications.aspx">Effective Corporate Communications</a> and <a title="Business Communication Skills | Short Courses | Martin College" href="http://www.martincollege.edu.au/short-courses/business-communication-skills.aspx">Business Communication Skills</a>.</p>
<p><a title="Martin College website" href="http://www.martincollege.edu.au/index.aspx">Visit Martin College website for more information &gt;</a></p>
<script type="text/javascript" class="owbutton" src="http://onlywire.com/btn/button_82628" title="Communication Tips" url="http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/business-management/communication-tips/"></script>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/business-management/communication-tips/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Managing an Event</title>
		<link>http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/event-management/managing-event/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=managing-event</link>
		<comments>http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/event-management/managing-event/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2012 02:30:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Event Management]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/?p=1001</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Event planning requires balancing competing roles as well as strong project management skills. A well-planned event achieves your stated objectives, engages your target audience, stays within budget, and unfolds with logistical success. We look at some of the key issues &#8230; <a href="http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/event-management/managing-event/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img title="Martin College Events Student" src=" http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/mc-events-student.jpg " alt="Martin College Events Student" /></p>
<p>Event planning requires balancing competing roles as well as strong project management skills. A well-planned event achieves your stated objectives, engages your target audience, stays within budget, and unfolds with logistical success.</p>
<p>We look at some of the key issues to keep in mind when planning an event&#8230; <span id="more-1001"></span></p>
<h2>Event Objective</h2>
<p>Start by defining your event objective. Your event objective will determine all the other aspects of your event. It will act as a useful guide and signpost when you’re making decisions about elements such as venue, attendees, content and presentations, and catering. Your objective will also impact on your choice of timing, venue, budget, and overall flavour and approach.</p>
<p>What are you aiming to achieve? Is it to persuade, raise funds, honour achievements, market a product, deliver a commercial message, or generate media interest? Define your event objective as clearly as possible.</p>
<h2>Target Audience</h2>
<p>The next step is to define your target audience. Your target audience should align with your event object. For example, if the goal is to connect with potential clients in a new market, the event manager might find it necessary to create a potential client list based on market research or from existing marketing lists.</p>
<h2>Organisation</h2>
<p>These are some of additional issues to organise before the big day&#8230;</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Invitations.</strong> Aesthetic design, appropriate copy, and notice period should be considered. Allow sufficient time for registration.</li>
<li><strong>MC, guest speakers, and presentations.</strong> Some events incorporate a master of ceremonies and a range of interesting guest speakers and presentations. Consider which guest speakers are appropriate for your goal and the type of presentations that reflect your business culture and event objective.</li>
<li><strong>Schedule and flow.</strong> Event managers usually set a fixed program to guide participants through the event and to allow the event to unfold as planned and finish on time. Good flow keeps guests interested.</li>
<li><strong>Audio-visual aids and equipment.</strong> Music, video presentations, and lighting are important elements for most events.</li>
<li><strong>Catering.</strong> The choice of refreshments can impact on the enjoyment of attendees and reflect on your business.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Marketing</h2>
<p>Event managers also need to market their event so that the target attendees feel sufficiently interested. Good marketing reaches your target market and sells your event with a value proposition for the potential attendee.</p>
<h2>Essential Skills</h2>
<p>Clearly, event planning is rarely a simple matter, particularly when it comes to large events. Some vital skills to utilise include&#8230;</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Delegation skills.</strong> As the event manager, you won&#8217;t be able to oversee every detail yourself. Work with your team and delegate where possible. It&#8217;s your job to manage the project, not every small detail.</li>
<li><strong>Creativity and flair.</strong> A touch of creativity and flair injects your event with uniqueness and energy. Utilise a creative approach to make your event stand out.</li>
<li><strong>Time management.</strong> Event managers use their time management skills to meet tight deadlines.</li>
<li><strong>Networking skills.</strong> Event managers have excellent interpersonal relationship skills that allow them to delegated and work successfully with the different elements of each event.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Reviewing Outcomes</h2>
<p>It&#8217;s vital to review the outcome; for example, by asking for feedback from attendees. Surveys and questionnaires can be sent out to participants, or the event manager can obtain specific feedback by making courtesy calls.</p>
<p>Are you considering stepping into an exciting career in event management? Martin College offers <a title="Martin College Event Management Courses" href="http://www.martincollege.edu.au/courses/event-management-courses.aspx">Event Management courses</a> for those seeking practical experience in a range of areas in event production.</p>
<p><a title="Martin College website" href="http://www.martincollege.edu.au/index.aspx">Visit Martin College website &gt;</a></p>
<script type="text/javascript" class="owbutton" src="http://onlywire.com/btn/button_82628" title="Managing an Event" url="http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/event-management/managing-event/"></script>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/event-management/managing-event/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Why is cultural awareness important in the tourism industry?</title>
		<link>http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/travel-tourism/cultural-awareness-important-tourism-industry/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=cultural-awareness-important-tourism-industry</link>
		<comments>http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/travel-tourism/cultural-awareness-important-tourism-industry/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 27 Apr 2012 06:34:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Travel & Tourism]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/?p=988</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[With a globalised market place, there&#8217;s no industry more closely linked with cultural awareness than the travel and tourism industry. From front-line customer service to marketing and product development, understanding cultural norms is the foundation to successful interaction with customers &#8230; <a href="http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/travel-tourism/cultural-awareness-important-tourism-industry/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img title="Martin College students travelling" src="http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mc-travelling.jpg" alt=" Martin College students travelling" /></p>
<p>With a globalised market place, there&#8217;s no industry more closely linked with cultural awareness than the travel and tourism industry. From front-line customer service to marketing and product development, understanding cultural norms is the foundation to successful interaction with customers and partners in and from different countries. Formal cultural awareness training could well be the stepping stone to a successful career path in this industry. Cultural awareness can provide real economic benefit, especially to those working in the tourism industry. <span id="more-988"></span></p>
<h2>Customer Service</h2>
<p>Understanding other cultures and contexts sets a solid basis for successful customer interactions. From a choice of words, to non-verbal communication cues and practices, staff can unintentionally give offence, leading to a poor customer service experience. People from different cultures can have different needs and expectations, of which staff need to be aware in order to provide attention that enhances the customer&#8217;s service experience.</p>
<p>Additionally, the behaviours of people from different cultures can vary enormously. Formal cultural awareness training can build confidence and allow staff to work with greater assurance and leadership when assisting customers from different cultures. Good service can lead to better brand reputation and customer loyalty.</p>
<h2>Marketing</h2>
<p>Cultural awareness can be used to inform an organisation&#8217;s marketing strategy. Managers and marketing specialists need to understand their target audience in order to formulate a successful marketing and communications strategy.</p>
<p>Understanding the values, etiquette, customer, attitudes, and manners supports the development of an effective marketing strategy that actually engages and connects with the market. Conversely, a strategy that fails to take cultural norms into consideration can cause offence or simply fail to engage, leading to wasted time and resources.</p>
<h2>Product Development</h2>
<p>Another policy area closely linked with cultural understanding is product development. Like marketing, the cultural context of the target market can be a core consideration when deciding which product or service lines will succeed. While this is under the scope of market research, managers and other employees may need to understand the relevant cultural nuances to develop appealing products.</p>
<h2>Partners</h2>
<p>Similar to customer service, staff working with partners from different cultures can benefit from an understanding of local expectations, behaviours, attitudes, values, and etiquette. This can enable managers to avoid unacceptable behaviours, and engage successfully with local partners. Building credibility, respect, and influence, while avoiding misunderstanding and offence are fundamentals of effective cross-cultural communication. Employees, especially those in leadership roles, need to have the confidence to work with those from different cultures.</p>
<h2>Entering New Markets</h2>
<p>Organisations in the travel and tourism industry regularly enter new markets. Where cultural awareness will come in to play may not be limited to product development and marketing. It may also impact dealing with local authorities and managing local employees.</p>
<p>Dealing with new regulatory frameworks often incorporates a level of cultural awareness, such as an understanding of cultural norms and behaviours in order to successfully work with local authorities.</p>
<p>Similarly, effective management of local employees will require cultural sensitivity to local norms and expectations. Managers will need to develop HR policies and other internal policies in line with the cultural context.</p>
<p>The <a title="Diploma of Tourism at Martin College" href="http://www.martincollege.edu.au/courses/diploma-of-tourism-program.aspx">Diploma of Tourism</a> offered at Martin College covers a number of topics and includes cultural awareness training. For those intending to enter a career in tourism, there&#8217;s nothing more important that learning how to interact well with a diverse range of individuals.</p>
<p><a title="Martin College website" href="http://www.martincollege.edu.au/index.aspx">Visit Martin College website &gt;</a></p>
<script type="text/javascript" class="owbutton" src="http://onlywire.com/btn/button_82628" title="Why is cultural awareness important in the tourism industry?" url="http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/travel-tourism/cultural-awareness-important-tourism-industry/"></script>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/travel-tourism/cultural-awareness-important-tourism-industry/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Why is sleep so important?</title>
		<link>http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/studying/sleep-important/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=sleep-important</link>
		<comments>http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/studying/sleep-important/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 26 Apr 2012 01:44:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Studying]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/?p=970</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Developing a good sleep routine could be the key to a happier, more successful, and healthful time at college. Studies have established a clear link between sleep, cognitive performance, and health. Learning how to sleep can take a little practice &#8230; <a href="http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/studying/sleep-important/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img title="Martin College student outdoors happy" src="http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mc-outdoors-happy.jpg" alt=" Martin College student outdoors happy" /></p>
<p>Developing a good sleep routine could be the key to a happier, more successful, and healthful time at college. <a title="Study about the benefits of sleep" href="http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/matters/benefits-of-sleep" target="_blank">Studies </a>have established a clear link between sleep, cognitive performance, and health. Learning how to sleep can take a little practice and experimenting, but the results could be well worth your time. <span id="more-970"></span></p>
<h2>Benefits of a Good Sleeping Routine</h2>
<p>Numerous studies have demonstrated a good sleeping routine and good health:</p>
<ul>
<li>The US&#8217;s National Sleep Foundation states that sleep is a basic necessity of life that’s as important as food, water, and air. Countless studies have linked getting enough sleep with mental clarity and performance during the day.</li>
<li>Getting enough sleep is also linked to emotional balance and energy levels according to the Sleep Foundation. People who are chronic sleep deprived experience poor concentration and learning &#8211; yet college students are one of the most likely populations to experience sleep deprivation.</li>
<li>Sleep has also been linked to healthy weight maintenance according to an article in Science Daily. Sleep deprivation can lead to hormone disturbances and insulin sensitivity, which can make you crave high-calorie foods.</li>
</ul>
<h2>How Much Sleep Do You Need?</h2>
<p>There doesn&#8217;t appear to be an optimal number of sleep hours for everyone; how much sleep you need may depend on your own physiology. Studies suggest we may need anywhere from seven to eight hours per night or more every day.</p>
<p>One good way to find out how much is good for you may be just to try sleeping a week without the alarm, and wake up each day naturally. Write down how many hours you sleep during the week. The average hours you sleep during the test week may be an indication of how much sleep you should be getting.</p>
<h2>Keeping a Regular Schedule</h2>
<p>Many college students find that between a part-time job, a busy social life, and study, there are not many hours left for getting sufficient sleep. It&#8217;s important to balance priorities and commit to setting aside enough rest and sleep time. Learn how to sleep by keeping to a regular schedule.</p>
<p>If you’re having trouble getting to sleep on time, try these tips:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Try to get to bed earlier.</strong> Sleep at a fixed bedtime every day. A regular schedule allows your body to align with its natural circadian rhythm.</li>
<li><strong>Allocate at least 30 minutes for down time before bedtime.</strong> Use this time for quiet reading or relaxation. Avoid watching TV, listening to loud music, or undertaking activities with strong audio-visual stimulants during this down time.</li>
<li>If you can&#8217;t fall asleep because you have too much on your mind, <strong>try writing down your commitments</strong> in your diary and letting them go for the time being.</li>
<li><strong>Use relaxation techniques to beat insomnia.</strong> Meditation, visualisation, and breathing exercises are some easy techniques.</li>
<li><strong>Take note of your sleep environment.</strong> Air quality, noise, temperature, and your mattress can help or hinder sleep quality.</li>
<li><strong>Get plenty of exercise and cut down on caffeine in the afternoon and evening.</strong> Eating healthy meals at set times during the day can also contribute to better sleep.</li>
<li>If you do experience severe sleeping disorders, you may need to <strong>consult a sleep doctor</strong></li>
</ul>
<div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><a title="Martin College website" href="http://www.martincollege.edu.au/index.aspx">Visit Martin College website &gt;</a></span></span></div>
<script type="text/javascript" class="owbutton" src="http://onlywire.com/btn/button_82628" title="Why is sleep so important?" url="http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/studying/sleep-important/"></script>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/studying/sleep-important/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Creating an Effective PowerPoint Presentation</title>
		<link>http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/business-management/creating-effective-powerpoint-presentation/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=creating-effective-powerpoint-presentation</link>
		<comments>http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/business-management/creating-effective-powerpoint-presentation/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 20 Apr 2012 02:16:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business & Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Information Technology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marketing]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/?p=954</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Microsoft PowerPoint is one of the most widely used presentation software programs. The best PowerPoint presentations communicate the presenter&#8217;s message in an engaging manner. Use these practical insights to keep your presentation appealing and effective.  Frame Your Audience Any form &#8230; <a href="http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/business-management/creating-effective-powerpoint-presentation/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img title="Martin College student preparing presentation" src="http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mc-preparing-presentation.jpg" alt="Martin College student preparing presentation" /></p>
<p>Microsoft PowerPoint is one of the most widely used presentation software programs. The best PowerPoint presentations communicate the presenter&#8217;s message in an engaging manner. Use these practical insights to keep your presentation appealing and effective. <span id="more-954"></span></p>
<h2>Frame Your Audience</h2>
<p>Any form of communication begins with the audience, whether it&#8217;s a news story, a letter, or a form of advertising. To choose and structure your content appropriately, start by defining your target audience.</p>
<ul>
<li>Who is your target audience?</li>
<li>What are their main concerns/goals/interests?</li>
<li>What do they want to get out of your presentation?</li>
<li>What do you want them to get out of your presentation?</li>
<li>Which tone is most likely to appeal to your target audience?</li>
</ul>
<h2>Researching and Planning Your Content</h2>
<p>Once you&#8217;ve framed your audience, you can start on researching and planning the content of your presentation. Rather than going straight to preparing slides, first try story-boarding your ideas. Brainstorm what you want to communicate. Use a flow chart to summarise the ideas to be highlighted.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Goal.</strong> What are your goals with the presentation? Are you educating, sharing, persuading, entertaining, or something else?</li>
<li><strong>Content.</strong> Define the scope of your content. Some presenters start by drafting a script which is used to prepare the slides. Others find a detailed outline that separates ideas into levels of importance very useful, especially if they need to cut out content later.</li>
<li><strong>Hooks.</strong> Use hooks to capture your audience&#8217;s attention. Pose questions, incorporate surprises, or end each section with a &#8216;cliff-hanger&#8217;. Using hooks can enhance the flow, retain interest, and help the audience transition into the next part of the presentation.</li>
<li><strong>Questions.</strong> Involve the audience by asking questions at regular intervals.</li>
<li><strong>Telling a story.</strong> Taking a storytelling approach can be an effective way to enliven content and capture interest. You can tell a story by personalising content in some way; for example, by using a case study or testimonial.</li>
<li><strong>Length.</strong> Pay attention to the length of your presentation and the amount of time you devote to each section. Carefully consider whether you need to include content of secondary importance. Devote equal time to equally important content.</li>
<li><strong>Delivery.</strong> Modulate your voice and tone, and avoid speaking in a monotone. Practice your delivery to a friend and ask them for feedback.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Preparing the Text</h2>
<p>Avoid long paragraphs and organise text into bullet points where possible. In the best PowerPoint presentations, the detail is contained in the script rather than in the text on the slides. Structure the text for breaks in rhythm, and make sure a new topic or section is appropriately labelled for structural clarity.</p>
<h2>Visual Appeal</h2>
<p>Designing your presentation for visual appeal can be easy if you follow a few basic principles.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Minimise clutter.</strong> Use a simple design where possible, and keep your slides easy to understand. Don’t overcrowd your slides.</li>
<li><strong>Font.</strong> Opt for sans serif fonts for body text as they are easier to read.</li>
<li><strong>Graphics.</strong> Graphics should be used sparingly, be easy to understand, and have relevance to the content.</li>
<li><strong>Test it out.</strong> Slides that look great on your computer can look very different on a big screen. View your slides on the big screen before finalising them.</li>
</ul>
<p>Martin College offers short course <a title="Make a Presentation - PowerPoint Course at Martin College" href="http://www.martincollege.edu.au/short-courses/make-a-presentation.aspx">&#8216;Make a Presentation</a>&#8216; providing techniques to present findings using Microsoft PowerPoint.</p>
<p><a title="Short Courses at Martin College" href="http://www.martincollege.edu.au/short-courses/index.aspx">Gain specific knowledge and skills for your career and view the range of short courses available at Martin College &gt;</a></p>
<script type="text/javascript" class="owbutton" src="http://onlywire.com/btn/button_82628" title="Creating an Effective PowerPoint Presentation" url="http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/business-management/creating-effective-powerpoint-presentation/"></script>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/business-management/creating-effective-powerpoint-presentation/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Study Life Balance</title>
		<link>http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/studying/study-life-balance/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=study-life-balance</link>
		<comments>http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/studying/study-life-balance/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 17 Apr 2012 01:45:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Studying]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/?p=940</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Balancing your study commitments with rewarding social and leisure activities is the key to making the most of your time at college. By keeping focused and well organised, you can learn how to study at college while living a balanced &#8230; <a href="http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/studying/study-life-balance/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img title="Martin College students walking" src="http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mc-students-walking.jpg" alt="Martin College students walking" /></p>
<p>Balancing your study commitments with rewarding social and leisure activities is the key to making the most of your time at college. By keeping focused and well organised, you can learn how to study at college while living a balanced life. Striking the right balance is possible whether you&#8217;re new to college life or returning to study after some time away. <span id="more-940"></span></p>
<h2>Managing Your Studies</h2>
<p>Managing your studies requires a bit of trial-and-error to determine the right balance for you. Some issues to keep in mind include the following&#8230;</p>
<p><strong>Stay organised.</strong> Develop a formal study schedule that covers weekly contact hours, individual study hours, assignment periods, and swot time. You&#8217;ll be able to visualise the number of hours you devote to each subject per week and keep track of the subjects on which you should be spending more time.</p>
<p><strong>Balance.</strong> Keep your study hours realistic. Allocate time for running errands, work, social activities, leisure, and sleep.</p>
<p><strong>Sleep and rest.</strong> Try to allocate sufficient hours for sleep every day, and try to get to bed at the same time every day. You’ll perform more effectively if you&#8217;ve had at least seven or eight hours of sleep.</p>
<p><strong>Develop your own system.</strong> Find a study system that works best for you. Do you study better at night or during the day? Are you more effective when you study in short blocks, or do you prefer having a few hours to get into a subject? Do you study better at the library or at home?</p>
<p><strong>Stagger your learning.</strong> A few hours of private study every day is better than a single intensive study period at the end of the semester. Staggering your study over the semester supports more effective learning.</p>
<p><strong>Study breaks.</strong> Taking plenty of study breaks keeps your brain refreshed. Incorporate short breaks into your study sessions by going for a walk, having a snack, relaxing, or doing some physical exercise.</p>
<h2>Incorporating Leisure Activities</h2>
<p>Prioritising your studies is important, but all students can try to incorporate a variety of activities into their week. Set aside time for physical exercise, friends and family, and doing something you enjoy. An essential and enjoyable part of college life is getting involved in the clubs and social activities, so join a club or sporting team that interests you. You&#8217;ll have the opportunity to meet more people with whom to share your college journey.</p>
<h2>Getting Support</h2>
<p>Your college will usually offer a wide range of support services. These can cover study support and advice, counselling services, financial assistance, and library services. Study support and advice can cover how to study at university, allowing you to develop good exam, essay writing, or general learning skills which support you in learning more effectively in the university environment. With the right learning skills, you&#8217;ll be able to use your time more effectively.</p>
<h2>Alternative Study Options</h2>
<p>Some of the benefits of distance education include increased flexibility, reduced commuting time, and a wide variety of study options. Technological tools such as online classrooms have made distance education accessible to everyone. Alternative study arrangements such as distance education provide an excellent option for people who are working and studying at the same time.</p>
<p><a title="Martin College" href="http://www.martincollege.edu.au">Visit Martin College website &gt;</a></p>
<script type="text/javascript" class="owbutton" src="http://onlywire.com/btn/button_82628" title="Study Life Balance" url="http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/studying/study-life-balance/"></script>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/studying/study-life-balance/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Express Your Creative Side: Graphic Design Tools of the Trade</title>
		<link>http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/graphic-design/express-creative-side-graphic-design-tools-trade/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=express-creative-side-graphic-design-tools-trade</link>
		<comments>http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/graphic-design/express-creative-side-graphic-design-tools-trade/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 12 Apr 2012 06:21:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Graphic Design]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/?p=917</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Graphic design is an exciting and rewarding career path, offering a unique blend of creativity and technical work. If you have a flair for visual communication and design, graphic design could be the right career choice for you. These are &#8230; <a href="http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/graphic-design/express-creative-side-graphic-design-tools-trade/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img title="Martin College Graphic Design Tools" src="http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mc-graphic-design-tools.jpg" alt="Martin College Graphic Design Tools" /></p>
<p>Graphic design is an exciting and rewarding career path, offering a unique blend of creativity and technical work. If you have a flair for visual communication and design, graphic design could be the right career choice for you. These are just some of the most commonly used, industry standard graphic design software packages to know about; most graphic design roles will require knowledge of some or all of the following&#8230; <span id="more-917"></span></p>
<h2>Photoshop</h2>
<p>Adobe Photoshop is an extremely versatile tool for graphic designers, who use Photoshop for image editing. The program offers a range of tools designed to alter or to enhance photos. You can also use Photoshop to design websites and create web elements, such as banner ads and button bars.</p>
<p>Currently, Photoshop is in its 12th major release with two major editions: Photoshop and Photoshop Extended. The latter has options for advanced tools such as 3D image creation.</p>
<p>Some of the tools in the software program include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Cropping and slicing, for cutting sections away from an image.</li>
<li>Retouching, which allows users to smudge or erase images.</li>
<li>Painting and drawing, with the various pencil, pen, and paint tools available.</li>
<li>Typing, with which text can be added and edited.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Illustrator</h2>
<p>Adobe Illustrator is specially designed for creating and manipulating vector graphics. Vector graphics are different to other types of graphics (such as bitmap graphics) as they can be resized without loss of visual quality. Vector graphics are commonly used for design and illustration, such as logo creation, flyer design, and digital illustration.</p>
<p>Some features of Illustrator include:</p>
<ul>
<li>The pen and pencil tools for drawing.</li>
<li>Perspective drawing tools, such as the perspective grid.</li>
<li>Type tools, which allow users to type along a winding path or use type in unusual ways.</li>
<li>Advanced painting tools such as live paint and live trace.</li>
</ul>
<h2>InDesign</h2>
<p>While Photoshop and InDesign are mainly concerned with imagining tools, InDesign is a full page-layout program that combines a range of type, image, and layout tools. InDesign is commonly used for brochures, flyers, magazines, and desktop publishing. It can be used and is often available as a package with other Adobe programs such as Illustrator, Photoshop, and Dreamweaver.</p>
<h2>Flash</h2>
<p>Adobe Flash is used to create animation and video for websites. The program works by animating text, drawings, and images in the form of vector and raster graphics. Its potential for interactivity comes from its ability to capture user responses (via the mouse, keyboard, camera, or microphone).</p>
<h2>Acrobat Professional</h2>
<p>Acrobat is a popular program for creating and using PDF documents. PDF documents are widely used because the format allows users to retain the original features for a consistent look across browsers and platforms. Acrobat Professional is often used to create and distribute documents, whether for printing or internet distribution; for finalising contracts; and for sharing design samples.</p>
<p>At Martin College, our graphic design software courses cover the latest Adobe software packages. Our courses support graduates in developing appropriate software skills for the workplace. With your creativity and the right technical skills, who knows where a career in graphic design could take you!</p>
<p><em><strong>Learn more about the <a title="Martin College Bridging Course for Graphic Design" href="http://www.martincollege.edu.au/courses/bridging-course-graphic-design.aspx">Martin College Bridging Course for Graphic Design</a>. In just five weeks equip yourself with the basic skills in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign at our brand new, state of the art Mac Labs. </strong></em></p>
<p><a title="Martin College Graphic Design Courses" href="http://www.martincollege.edu.au/courses/graphic-design-courses.aspx">Visit Martin College website for more information on graphic design courses &gt;</a></p>
<script type="text/javascript" class="owbutton" src="http://onlywire.com/btn/button_82628" title="Express Your Creative Side: Graphic Design Tools of the Trade" url="http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/graphic-design/express-creative-side-graphic-design-tools-trade/"></script>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://blog.martincollege.edu.au/index.php/graphic-design/express-creative-side-graphic-design-tools-trade/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>

