Adobe InDesign Course: Level 1
Adobe InDesign. Page design, layout, and publishing.
Software_
This course is delivered using
Adobe Creative Cloud
This course is delivered using the latest versions of Adobe software from Adobe Creative Cloud. Older versions of Adobe products may not include some features available within Adobe Creative Cloud CC versions and some visual and functional differences may exist. Project files created in Adobe Premiere Pro as part of training may not be compatible with earlier versions.
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This two-day Adobe InDesign training course will have you designing a variety of layouts for both print and digital publishing. You will be guided step-by-step through the basics of the software, in order to create your own print and digital material.
Your own Adobe Creative Cloud account is required for this course. You will also need your own device. For further details, see 'Before the course'.
Outcomes
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- discuss how the application can be used and start working with it
- set up and create a new document
- work with and modify elements of a workspace
- use basic navigation
- work with pages
- work with layers
- understand colour and how to use it
- work with graphics
- work with text
- ensure documents are ready to print
- use the Help menu and access online help resources.
Content
Starting with Adobe InDesign
- 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
Working with a workspace
- The tools panel
- Using selection tools
- Displaying and hiding rulers
- Working with workspaces
- Creating a custom workspace
- Understanding panels
- Displaying and hiding panels
- Floating and docking panels
- Working with the status bar
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
Layers
- Understanding layers
- Creating a new layer
- Naming layers and assigning colours
- Assigning objects to layers
- Reordering layers
- Hiding and viewing layers
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
Frames and shapes
- Understanding frames
- Creating frames and shapes
- Transforming shapes
- Merging shapes using pathfinder
- Duplicating objects
- Arranging objects
- Aligning and distributing objects
- Grouping objects
- Creating an outline
- Placing graphics in an outline
Working with graphics
- Understanding graphic file formats
- Placing graphics in a document
- Positioning graphics within a frame
- Fitting graphics
- Understanding linked graphics
- Navigating the links panel
- Linking and embedding files
- Placing inline graphics
- Creating a clipping path
- Applying text wrap
- Creating a caption
- Changing display performance
Working with text
- Understanding text
- Applying type style
- Changing font size and leading
- Changing the vertical text alignment
- Threading text frames
- Importing text from Microsoft Word
- Adjusting kerning
- Adjusting tracking
- Editing text in place
- Editing text with the story editor
Preparing for printing
- Running 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
Suitable for anyone wanting to learn the basics of graphic production to create layouts for print media.
Prerequisites
This introductory course assumes little or no knowledge of the software.
Delivery modes
- Face-to-face, presenter-taught training using your own device
- Online training via the platform Zoom
Delivery style
Face-to-face classes
These classes run in a classroom and you will need to bring your own device with Adobe InDesign installed. You should ensure it is fully charged as access to power is limited. Please note that the University does not carry any responsibility for your lost, stolen, or damaged devices whilst on the University premises.
Online classes
You will need your own device with Adobe InDesign installed. We also recommend using a computer with a larger screen, or two screens/devices. A small laptop screen provides limited space, and it can be difficult to manage following the facilitator’s screen and using your own software.
Materials
Course materials are provided electronically.
Before the course
You will need an Adobe Creative Cloud account to participate. If you don't have an existing account you can purchase one here. Please bring your account login details with you to class.
Recommended operating system: Windows or Mac
Recommended software for PC: Adobe InDesign CC 2020
Recommended software for Mac OS: Adobe InDesign CC 2020