InDesign Essentials

Class Description

InDesign is a powerful page layout application that is being used by more creative professionals all the time. It provides an incredible set of tools for designing professional layouts with advanced graphics and typography. This class outline focusses on the essential tools you need to become productive right away. Whether you are completely new to page layout or are switching from QuarkXPress or PageMaker, this is a perfect way to get started.

Class Objectives

Become familiar with InDesign’s most commonly used tools and palettes.
Setup a basic document and prepare a template for production.
Master the process of image placement and frame manipulation.
Learn the most effective way to format text and create powerful styles.
Work with color efficiently and learn to avoid common mistakes.

Class Topics

InDesign Environment and Navigation

Managing palettes
Effectively navigate a document
Keyboard shortcuts and Preferences

Setting up a Document

Document Setup Dialog
Take advantage of Points, Picas, and Inches
Working with graphic and text frames

Text and Styles

Applying character and paragraph formatting to type
Character and Paragraph Styles
Threading text in multiple column layouts

Master Pages

Creating Master Pages
Applying Master Pages
Explore master page strategies

Graphics and Layout

Placing various file formats
Clipping Paths and Text Wraps
Scaling and Cropping
Managing Links and Layers

Color, Swatches, Gradients

Creating, modifying, and managing color swatches and gradients
Applying color and gradients

Preparing for Print

Preflighting a document
Outputting a document
Printing with transparency