Adobe InDesign Lesson 1-2

Resources: Indesign Secrets online  tv.adobe.com  Linda.com Layers magazine/CD
Download project files postcard ZIP
Major tools we learn in this lesson are:

• Selection allows to select objects in the layout to apply editing. Keyboard Shortcuts “v” key, deselect “Escape” key
• Text tool allows to created text objects (text frames) and edit text within a text frame. Keyboard Shortcuts “t” key, to switch Text to Selection tool press “Escape” key
• Simple Shape tools (Rectangle. Oval, Polygon) allows to created various shapes including triangles and stars. Keyboard Shortcuts “m” key for Rectangle, “l” key for Ellipse. To draw a square, a circle or perfect polygon press and hold Shift key while using Simple Shape tools.  Clicking on a page with Simple Shape tool allows to specify dimensions and other parameters of a shape before it is created. The Simple Shape tools remember the last setting used for the next time.

Additional resources to learn and practice at home

Creating new document, intent, other options
UnderstandingText Frames
Selecting Objects

Adobe InDesign Lesson 2-3

Topic: Learning major project workflow, features and tools. About importing and pasting text, working with text tool, character and paragraph options; color panel, adding swatches, covering RGB to CMYK, Spot swatches to CMYK.

Project: To design a 1-page brochure. Download project files for 1-page brochure.

Additional resources to learn and practice at home

[T] tool used to create a text frame and edit text inside the text frame. Use 2-click-selects a word, 3-click to select a line, 4-click to select a paragraph.
Working with T and other tools
Working with Frames
Working with Graphics
Character level text formatting
Paragraph level text formatting

Adobe inDesign Lesson 3-4

Download project files ZIP updated 3-20-14
Topic: designing a 3-fold flyer, setting document, placing guides, text and images, learning about pagination, layers, linked images, adding custom color swatches, composing elements, pre-flight completed design before final output. Learning about placing and working with images, Links panel; working with Layers, using Layers to better organize page content; setting up page guides, snapping objects and frames to guides.

Additional resources to learn from:

Using Links panel to view info about linked images
Using Live Preflight
Wrapping text around the graphics
Working with smart guides

Keyboard shortcuts

Switching document preview press w or shift-w (while not in text editing mode)
Temporary switch to a grab (hand) Tool – press–hold Spacebar
Temporary switch Magnification (glass) Tool – press–hold spacebar and Com/Ctrl keys to zoom in, press–hold Spacebar and Com/Ctrl and Opt/Alt keys to zoom out
View Fit Page in the application window – Com/Ctrl+0
Scale image with frame together proportionally – press Com/Ctrl+Shift

 

Adobe inDesign Lesson 4-5

March 24 @ 6-8:30pm

Download project files ZIP
Topic: Exporting PDF, and saving files, setting optimal Workspace. Designing multipage layout, using master pages, learning how to output for print and online publishing.

Additional resources to learn from:

Managing InDesign workspaces
Making a paragraph style
Creating and applying paragraph styles
Building a newsletter
Exporting a PDF (this link may require to sign-in)

Keyboard shortcuts

Auto-text fill and populate pages when importing (placing)  a text file  press/hold Shift and click on margin-column guides (prior this make sure to establish first page margins and columns).
Manually continues text fill to the selected areas- press–hold Opt/Alt key and click on margin/column guides or draw frames.
Many keyboard shortcuts are listed on top drop-down menus, on the right off each menu item.

 

Adobe inDesign Lesson 5-6

Download project in-progress files (from previous lesson) to continue working on

Topic: Finishing working on multi-page Art at MIA newsletter from previous lesson , formatting text with paragraph and character styles, adding hyperlinks and basic interactivity. Learn about master pages, about page numbering, gradient and spot color swatches. More about packaging and output for print and online publishing. Also, recap of the manipulating text, graphic, simple-shape boxes.

Additional resources to learn from:

NEW! Grid mode and Live distribute
Adding page numbering
Mixing page sizes with a new page tool
New in InDesign CS6
Yellow-square corner options on a frame, Working with Frames
Creating a Hyperlink