# Module Assignment M04 — CorelDRAW Skills Showcase
## ARTTECHES Graphic Designing Mastery | Instructor: Ali Akbar Shah

**Weight:** Counts toward Module Assignments (25% of final grade)
**Module:** M04 — CorelDRAW Mastery (Days 08–13)
**Time:** About 4 hours

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## 1. Objective

Prove full control of CorelDRAW basics: document setup, shape and Bezier drawing, fills and outlines, alignment, layers, text tools, and correct importing and exporting.

## 2. Design Brief (fictional client)

**Client:** "Summit Hiking Club" — a local hiking group.
**Situation:** The club needs a single showcase poster that proves their new designer (you) can handle real production work.
**Your job:** Design one A4 poster for the club's "Sunrise Trek — 15 November" event that demonstrates every core CorelDRAW skill from this module.

## 3. Specifications

- **Size:** A4 portrait (210 × 297 mm), RGB (screen poster, but built print-aware).
- **Must contain:** (a) a mountain scene drawn with the Bezier tool (no imported photo as the main art), (b) at least 3 basic shapes combined/trimmed with shaping commands, (c) a fountain fill somewhere, (d) Artistic text headline + Paragraph text details, (e) text on a path (the club name curving along an arc), (f) one imported image used correctly (e.g., a small texture or photo with proper placement).
- **Layers:** At least 4 named layers (e.g., Background, Artwork, Text, Effects).

## 4. Step-by-Step Requirements

1. **Set up the document.** New document, A4 portrait, RGB. Save as `GDM-M04-YourName-Showcase-v1.cdr` before you draw anything.
2. **Build the mountain scene.** Use the Bezier tool for at least the main mountain silhouette. Keep curves smooth — no jagged nodes.
3. **Shape work.** Create at least 3 shapes (sun, badge, ribbon, etc.) and use shaping commands (Weld, Trim, or Intersect — found under the Arrange/Object menu) on at least one of them.
4. **Style it.** Apply a fountain fill to the sky or a major shape. Set clean outline widths (hairline outlines on small text are not allowed — keep text outlines at 0 or subtle).
5. **Add text.** Headline in Artistic text ("SUNRISE TREK"), event details in Paragraph text (date, meeting point, contact), and the club name on a curved path.
6. **Organize.** Move objects onto 4+ named layers. Align the text block properly (use the Align and Distribute docker).
7. **Import + export.** Import one image (File → Import), place it sensibly. Then export: one high-quality PDF, one PNG (150 dpi minimum). Compare the two exports and keep both.

## 5. Deliverables

1. `GDM-M04-YourName-Showcase-v1.cdr` — source file with named layers.
2. `GDM-M04-YourName-Showcase-v1.pdf` — exported poster.
3. `GDM-M04-YourName-Showcase-v1.png` — exported poster.

## 6. Submission Instructions

- All three files, named exactly as above.
- The CDR must open with layers intact — do not flatten.
- Submit before the deadline. Late work loses 10 points per day.

## 7. Evaluation Rubric (Total: 100)

| Criteria | Points | What earns full marks |
|---|---|---|
| Bezier mountain scene | 20 | Smooth, clean curves; recognizable mountain scene; no jagged or stray nodes |
| Shape + shaping commands | 15 | 3+ shapes used; Weld/Trim/Intersect applied correctly and visibly |
| Fills, outlines, styling | 15 | Fountain fill present and smooth; outline widths sensible; no hairline text outlines |
| Text tools | 15 | Artistic + Paragraph text both used; text on a path curves cleanly; no typos |
| Layers & alignment | 15 | 4+ named layers, objects on correct layers; text and elements visibly aligned |
| Import & exports | 10 | Image imported and placed well; PDF and PNG both correct, PNG ≥ 150 dpi |
| Overall poster quality | 10 | Balanced, readable, event information complete (date, place, contact) |

## 8. Common Errors

- Tracing a photo instead of drawing with the Bezier tool (the brief requires drawn art).
- All objects dumped on Layer 1 with default names.
- Hairline outline on small text (disappears in print and looks unprofessional).
- Text on a path that flips upside down or overlaps itself.
- Exporting the PNG at 72 dpi and calling it "high quality."
- Forgetting the event details (date, meeting point, contact) — a poster must inform.

## 9. Instructor Marking Guide

- Open the CDR first. Check the Object Manager docker: layers must be named and populated. Default "Layer 1" with everything on it = 0–5/15 for that row.
- Select the mountain shape and enter node-edit mode (Shape tool): look for smooth vs cusp nodes and stray double nodes. More than a few jagged nodes = deduct.
- Verify shaping: select a shaped object and check its construction, or ask the student which command they used — it must be visible in the result.
- Zoom the PNG to 100%: check text sharpness and the fountain fill for banding.
- Check PNG properties for resolution (≥ 150 dpi). If 72 dpi, cap exports at 4/10.
- Typos: each typo −2 points, max −6, from the overall quality row.

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