6-lesson course · about 2 hours
Defending Craft Decisions When the Automated Check Says Fine
For Designers, photographers, editors and creative producers using Adobe tools to develop, refine and deliver visual assets
Everything for Adobe creativesFor designers, photographers, and retouchers who need to document and justify judgment calls on crop, tone, and retouching so their professional craft decisions hold up with clients and stakeholders.
What you’ll be able to do
By the end, you can…
How it works
A tutor that meets you where you are
- Adaptive LessonsThe course material is not static. It dynamically adjusts to your current skill level and knowledge gaps as you progress through the modules.
- One-on-One AI TutorYou have a dedicated AI tutor available at all times. You can ask for clarification on a specific concept or dive deeper into a technique via typed text or voice commands.
- Active Recall ToolsEach lesson is paired with targeted quizzes and digital flashcards. These tools are designed to move the methods from short-term memory into your professional habit.
- Progress TrackingKeep a clear record of your journey through the curriculum. Once you have mastered all the modules, you will receive a certificate of completion.
Curriculum
The curriculum
This course is divided into two modules focusing on the technical identification of errors and the professional communication of those findings.
Module 1Identifying and Recording Craft Errors3 lessons
1Borrowed vs. Hallucinated Pixels
- Distinguish between pixels borrowed from a source and pixels hallucinated by AI
- Label which parts of an image are photographed and which are generated
2Visual Forensics: Inspecting Physics
- Inspect image physics at 200 percent zoom to identify AI errors
- Spot inaccuracies in contact shadows, reflections, and glass edges
3Creating a Correction Checklist
- Create a correction checklist based on visual forensics
- Use AI to draft a checklist from manual notes
Module 2Communicating and Defending Decisions3 lessons
4Defining Required vs. Optional Elements
- Record a clear boundary in the brief between required product details and optional generated elements
5Writing Rationale Notes
- Write short rationale notes that translate a visual intention into a reviewable craft decision
6Labeling and Annotated Proofs
- Label exports with source versions and permission status
- Create annotated proofs that document the source of each image element
Who it’s for
Made for you if…
Made for: Designers, photographers, editors and creative producers using Adobe tools to develop, refine and deliver visual assets
High-end Retouchers
You find yourself fighting 'AI-approved' errors where the skin looks plastic or the texture is off, but the client's automated tool says it is on-brand. You need a way to move beyond 'it feels wrong' to justify your pushback with professional evidence.
Commercial Photographers
You deal with generated backgrounds that look polished at a glance but fail the laws of physics. You need the forensic skills to spot errors in contact shadows and reflections at 200 percent zoom so you can defend the integrity of your lighting and composition.
Visual Designers
You are responsible for delivering assets across multiple sizes and formats where automated crops often destroy the intended composition. You need a system for labeling source versions and creating annotated proofs to prevent the use of unreviewable, hallucinated pixels.
Creative Producers
You manage the handoff between AI tools and final approval and struggle when technical checks pass despite obvious craft failures. You need a framework for required versus optional elements to ensure the final product matches the brief exactly.
Questions
Good to know
What software and skills do I need to start this course?
You should have intermediate proficiency in Adobe Photoshop, specifically with Layers, masks, and non-destructive editing. The course is designed for photographers, designers, and retouchers who already deliver visual assets to clients or stakeholders.
Does this course teach me how to write better AI prompts?
No. This course focuses on the critical review and documentation of work after it is generated. Advanced prompt engineering and AI agent orchestration are excluded from the curriculum.
What exactly is 'visual forensics' in the context of this course?
Visual forensics is the practice of inspecting image physics at 200 percent zoom to find AI errors. You will learn to identify specific inaccuracies in contact shadows, reflections, and glass edges that automated checks typically miss.
How will this help me justify my decisions to a client?
You will learn to translate visual intentions into short rationale notes and annotated proofs. By documenting the source of each image element and the physical errors present, you can provide a reviewable craft decision rather than a subjective opinion.
Will I learn about AI copyright or legal issues?
No. This course is focused purely on the craft and communication of visual decisions. Legal advice regarding AI copyright is not included in the material.
What is the difference between 'borrowed' and 'hallucinated' pixels?
Borrowed pixels are taken from a source image and blended, while hallucinated pixels are invented by AI. The course teaches you how to distinguish between the two and label which parts of your image are photographed versus generated.
What is a correction checklist and how do I build one?
A correction checklist is a document based on your visual forensic findings that justifies specific retouching changes. You will learn how to use AI to draft these checklists from your manual notes to streamline the feedback process.
How do I prevent the use of unreviewable sources in a project?
The course teaches you to label exports with source versions and permission status. You will also learn to record a clear boundary in the brief between required product details and optional generated elements.