We extensively use Adobe Photoshop for Graphics at our school, from Year 7 to 13.
It's an amazing program, but takes time to master. I recently ran a photoediting competition for Y12 with amazing results.. about two thirds of the class went of and taught themselves the basics, just to enter the competition!!!

I even had Y8 pupils submit entries after seeing Y12 working on pics a lunchtime.

I've set up this website to inspire a few more in my school.
Feel free to let your pupils know about it if you feel it might spark some interest.

www.fotoshop.designandtech.com

Andy Jones

Excellent idea! Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator are more or less the standard packages used in the graphic design and print industry. There is a cheaper, cut-down version of Photoshop called Photoshop Elements that contains most of the basic editing tools - and this is perfect as an introductory package for schools.

My daughter is a partner in a graphic design business. She took Art and Design Technology as options at school and then went on to study at an art college that was forward-thinking in the use of ICT - she graduated in 1991. Her business has won some lucrative contracts with Electronic Arts, Fox, Virgin et al. For examples of what professionals can do with Illustrator and Photoshop have a look at her business's website:
http://www.mdmcreative.com
I think the Alien Resurrection campaign contains examples of their best work. Graphic design offers a worthwhile career!

Photoshop is also one of the main packages used by MELTEC, Kingston University: http://www.meltec.org.uk
MELTEC offers training courses in multimedia design and development.