Seminars and Training

Business Seminars | General Public Seminars | Training | Background | Testimonials

For more information on seminars, announcements, etc., e-mail me to be added to the mailing list: mailinglist@dedicateddesktop.com

Business Seminars
     Book any one of the following seminars or the complete series
     for you, your company, group or association. Call for details!
     Rates are based on the number of participants, a minimum charge applies.
     Seminars can be presented at a venue we arrange or at your office.

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Reaching out to clients over the Internet...
... there is an easier way!
Learning Seminars on making full use of the Internet
to find and reach out to clientele, new and old

Web Essentials:
Presentation | Structure | Navigation | Content | Search Engine Optimization

"Web Essentials", is an introductory three hour seminar, there is no hands-on element to this seminar, so there will be no computers provided, but feel free to bring your laptop if you wish.

In Web Essentials you will learn valuable tips about Web Site Presentation, Structure, Navigation, and Content. You will hear discussions about working with a designer and how to make the process more satisfying and cost effective. You will also learn about Optimizing your Web site for higher Search Engine Ranking, including the one most important thing you can do to increase your ranking. Try searching Google for "Ottawa Designer" and see exactly what optimizing can do for your Web site! This evening seminar will also touch on the many ways of using other internet resources to network, and to buy, sell and even create products on-line. A variety of new and exciting Web 2.0 tools are used throughout this seminar.
click here for more details

Search Engine Optimization:
Content | Navigation | Coding | Links | Keywords

"Search Engine Optimization", is full day workshop, there is no hands-on element to this seminar, so there will be no computers provided, but feel free to bring your laptop if you wish.

In Search Engine Optimization you will learn valuable tips about Optimizing your Web site for higher Search Engine Ranking, including how Content, Navigation, Coding, Links and Keywords effect your ranking. You will hear discussions about some of the myths about SEO, and some of the mistakes that are often made. Organic and Paid optimization will be compared and discussed. Choosing keywords and phrases, how to determine the value they have, and finally how to put them to use will be a key topic of discussion... this is a greatly under estimated area in optimizing your web site. You will be shown the tools you can use to evaluate a site's findability both before and after optimization. You will also be shown how to track how your visitors are finding your site, as well as many other valuable bits of information about your visitors. This is not a technical workshop, no programming knowledge is needed but a familiarity with HTML is beneficial.

Networking:
LinkedIn | Facebook | Blogs | Wikis | Tagging | Web 2.0

"Networking ", is a three hour seminar, there is no hands-on element to this seminar, so there will be no computers provided, but feel free to bring your laptop if you wish.

In Networking you will learn how to make full use of the internet to connect with past and present contacts you already have and how to use those contacts to establish more contacts. We are in an era where there is greater value in one to one referrals then any amount of paid advertising! Business and Social Network sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook will be examined from the perspective of using these sites for networking and advertising opportunities. You will hear discussions on how companies that conduct business openly and transparently through Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts and Vodcasts are reaping the benefits of this new way of connecting with the on-line population. You will discover exactly what Web 2.0 is and what it means to you and how the way we do business is changing.

eCommerce:
Create and Sell Online | Self-publishing | Shopping Carts | PayPal

"eCommerce ", is a three hour seminar, there is no hands-on element to this seminar, so there will be no computers provided, but feel free to bring your laptop if you wish.

In eCommerce you will discover web sites that make it easier for anyone to Create and Sell a variety of products on-line. Self-publishing of all kinds will be discussed and demonstrated. You will be shown exactly how to set up your own web site to offer free eCards and other items that will bring in more traffic. You will learn how to create a simple custom on-line storefront or eBay store. You will see demonstrations of how PayPal with it's valuable Merchant Tools, Shopping Carts and Credit Card Payments can make buying and selling on-line so much easier. This is not a technical workshop, no programming knowledge is needed but a familiarity with HTML is beneficial.

General Public Seminars
    Book any one of the following seminars or the complete series
    for you, your group or association. Call for details!
    Rates are based on the number of participants, a minimum charge applies.
    Seminars can be presented at a venue we arrange or a location of your choice.

Don’t give up on learning... it’s never too late
to learn a thing or two!
Learning Seminars on Adapting to a Digital Lifestyle.

Blogging | Photo Sharing | Family or Personal Websites | Social Networking
Digital Photography | VoIP/Internet Telephony | Getting Creative and making it Pay | Searching
...making the most of your computer and the Internet.

Adapting to a Digital Lifestyle :

"Adapting to a Digital Lifestyle", will introduce you to the many ways you can make the internet a part of your life... from Blogging to Social Networks, to some of the exciting new Web 2.0 tools that are available, on-line. This seminar will take you through the process of choosing and setting up an on-line Blog, and then customizing it to truly make it your own. In addition to typical Blogging, you will also be introduced to a few Photo Sharing web sites, and sites that combine Blogging, Photo Sharing and even PodCasting and VodCasting (Video on Demand). Once you have a Blog and a space for Photo Sharing, you might want to start networking with friends and family, or even reconnecting with people from your past, so we'll look at the variety of Social Networks out there and how you can make the best use of them in a safe and secure fashion. Finally, we'll look at the next level... establishing and building your own web site. Your own web site can be used to host many of the Blogs, Photo Sharing etc, that you have already created or can act as a gateway to all of these. Either way... once you are "on the net", you are living a "Digital Lifestyle"!

Digital Photography and Photo Editing:

In "Digital Photography and Photo Editing", participants will have the opportunity to go out on a photo shoot with a professional photographer, learning tips and tricks of the trade. Then the world of post processing will be addressed, from simple cropping to colour correction to the real magic behind Photo Editing programs like Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. Learn about non-destructive editing, cloning techniques, and how to turn a simple photograph into a work of art! With all these new photos and pieces of art, we will then look at ways to not only share these with friends, families and the rest of the world... but we'll look at selling your photographs in a variety of different ways, and formats.

Stay tuned for more details on these and more seminars!

Training:

Individual or small group training is also available in a variety of Macintosh software tools. Whether you’re in the graphics industry or just want to become internet savvy on your new iMac, learning from a Macintosh professional working in the field of print and web design can really make the difference. I have provided training to established design studios, young ‘up and coming’ designers, as well as individuals, private companies and government agencies with in-house graphics departments.

Training is available in HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), Web Page Design, Graphic Creation and Image Optimization for the Web, or basic Internet use, from surfing the internet to making use of of all the Web 2.0 tools out there. For print, training is available in Page Layout and Design, Graphic Creation and Image Editing, or more advanced computer pre-press. Get the training you need, from an industry professional!

Background:

Here's a bit of background on the training and/or seminars I've offered in the past...

In addition to providing services in Graphic Design and Web Design through my company, Dedicated Desktop, I have also been providing training since 1990. I taught and designed courses for Vancouver Community College (VCC) and the International Academy of Design and Technology (IADT), in Ottawa, as well as other smaller private schools. The Computer Graphics program at IADT, which I taught and helped in developing, was recognized by Industry experts attending the Program Advisory Board as the best Graphic Design program in the industry. Students and training clients have included print shops, design studios, government agencies, post secondary institutions, as well as individuals looking to begin a new career or just upgrade their computer skills.

I have also presented seminars and workshops for private companies and the general public on subjects such as “Web sites: Build it right, and they will come!”, "Helping Artists Grow Beyond the Sale of Originals", “The Apple Macintosh in a Graphic Design Environment”, “Pre-press: Making sure your digital files Print!”, "Quark XPress and Newspaper Production", and “Print Production: Creating an efficient workflow”.

Testimonials:

Julian was very interesting and knowledgable, considering some of the participants were at different levels in ability, Julian was very helpful and patient, and treated all of the participants equally well. — Heather C.

It was extremely beneficial to learn from someone currently working in the field. Julian really knows his craft!— Ron T.

Julian's enthusiasm for the technology was contagious. Consideration of my specific needs really made a difference. — John B.

Your knowledge is unbelieveable. Even programs I know well had aspects which I had never used before... — George D.

Julian taught a variety of courses and also developed a number of courses that made a great contribution to the Computer Graphics program. Julian was always very professional... dependable, punctual, and committed to his work and the college. Julian was firm and fair with his students, willing to speak his mind honestly and always stressing the industry expectations. Many students commented on how valuable his experience, assistance and advice was. — Catherine Orfald, Director of Education, International Academy of Design & Technology

Julian Luckham has worked for Digital Paradise both in the capacity of a Trainer and as a Graphic Designer. As a trainer he has had the opportunity to teach most of the courses we offer our clientele and has developed and delivered custom training as well. Julian consistently scores high with the students on evaluations in all areas. This includes knowledge of application, rapport with class, ability to answer questions and explain concepts in a clear manner. Personally, I am very pleased with his level of professionalism. – Robert Lee, Training Manager, Digital Paradise

Julian Luckham has been both a substitute instructor and term instructor in the Printing Production Department of Vancouver Community College. Julian is a motivated individual, having developed course curriculum on his own time, which was then offered in our department. We at VCC have found that Julian is a capable individual, ready to meet new challenges. — Beth Callahan, Instructor, Printing Production, Vancouver Community College