Adobe InDesign Course: Level 1

Adobe InDesign. Page design, layout, and publishing.

Master this powerful and flexible platform for creating graphically intensive layouts. Learn Adobe InDesign the smart way with Adobe InDesign courses at the University of Sydney.

Aims

Design layouts for print and digital publishing using this popular publishing software package. You will be taken from the basics through to the skills necessary to create print designs and page layouts.

Outcomes

1. Understand how the application can be used and start working with it
2. Understand how to set up and create a new document
3. Understand basic navigation
4. Work with pages
5. Understand colour and how to use it
6. Ensure documents are ready to print
7. Use the Help menu and access online help resources

Content

Starting

• Understanding the application.
• Starting the application.
• The Welcome Experience.
• The Workspace.
• Understanding Workspaces.
• Opening An Existing Document.
• Closing A Document.
• Exiting.

Setting Up A Document

• Understanding Document Presets.
• Adjusting The Units Of Measure.
• Creating A Document Preset.
• Creating A New Document.
• Using New Document Preview.
• Saving A New Document.

Navigating

• Understanding Screen Views.
• Changing Screen Views.
• Using The Hand And Zoom Tools.
• Using Shortcut Menus.
• Using Keyboard Shortcuts.
• Working With Tabbed Documents.
• Arranging Multiple Documents.

Working With Pages

• Inserting Pages.
• Navigating Pages.
• Understanding Master Pages.
• Creating Master Pages.
• Creating Ruler Guides.
• Locking, Unlocking And Clearing Guides.
• Viewing And Hiding The Grid.
• Adjusting Column Guides.
• Setting Document Bleed And Slug.
• Inserting Auto Page Numbering.
• Applying A Master Page.
• Deleting Pages.

Working With Colour

• Understanding Colour.
• Stroke And Fill.
• Understanding The Colour Panel.
• Applying A Fill Colour.
• Applying A Stroke Colour.
• Selecting Colours Using The Eyedropper.
• Selecting Colours Using The Swatches Panel.
• Adding Colours To The Swatches Panel.
• Creating A Gradient.
• Creating A Colour Group.
• Creating A Colour Theme.
• Removing Colour.

Preparing For Printing

• Running A Preflight Check.
• Printing A Document.
• Defining A Print Preset.
• Understanding Ink Handling Terms.
• Creating A Postscript File.
• Exporting To PDF.
• Soft Proofing.
• Packaging A Document.

Getting Help

• Understanding The Help Menu.
• Using Help.
• Searching For Online Help.

Intended Audience

Assumes little or no knowledge of the software and is suitable for all individuals who wish to learn the basics of graphic production to create layouts for print media.