Adobe InDesign is an exceptional page layout app and a joy to use. With each new version, Adobe manages to make it easier and better to use. The learning curve is gentle and you will be hands on from the very beginning! Along with the essentials, we will teach you tips and tricks that will make your work sing!
InDesign QuickStart 1 day | $475 + HST
Need to get up to speed on InDesign fast? If you are simply going to be editing text or replacing an image within an existing document, this course is for you. Prerequisite: familiarity with computer/mouse and proficiency in at least one software application.
Introduction
- the control panel
- the tools
- customizing your workspace
- changing page magnification
- navigating around the page
Getting to know InDesign
- editing text
- replacing a graphic
- working with objects
- placing graphics and text
- working with colour
Editing Text
- finding and changing a missing font
- entering new text
- finding and changing text and formatting
- check spelling
Formatting Text
- type size and leading
- adjusting letter spacing
- working with columns
- paragraph alignment
- paragraph spacing
- setting tabs
Creating PDFs
- press-ready PDFs
- PDFs for email and the web
InDesign Essentials 2 days | $795 + HST
This fantastic 2-day course teaches you all the features and essential techniques you will need to create ads, brochures, newsletters, product sheets, and more - all from scratch. By the time you leave class you will have had enough practice to feel completely comfortable doing your work back at the office. If you know you will be facing any particularly challenging projects feel free to bring a sample to class with you. Prerequisite: familiarity with computer/mouse and proficiency in at least one software application.
Introduction
- the control panel
- the tools
- customizing your workspace
- changing page magnification
- navigating around the page
Getting to know InDesign
- working with text
- working with graphics
- working with objects
- placing graphics and text
- working with colour
InDesign documents
- creating a new document
- working with master pages
- adding new pages
- creating a library
Working with objects
- creating basic and complex shapes
- working with the pen tool
- anchoring images in text
- wrapping text around an object
Flowing Text
- flowing text into an existing frame
- creating text frames while flowing text
- flowing text automatically
Editing Text
- finding and changing a missing font
- entering and importing text
- finding and changing text and formatting
- check spelling
Formatting Text
- type size and leading
- adjusting letter spacing
- working with columns
- paragraph alignment
- paragraph spacing
- setting tabs
Working with colour
- rgb vs cmyk
- creating and applying colors
- working with gradients
- creating a tint
- working with Pantone colours
Styles
- paragraph and character styles
- object styles
- updating styles globally
- loading styles from another document
Importing and modifying graphics
- vector vs bitmap graphics
- managing links to placed graphics
- adjusting display quality
- updating revised graphics
- linking text and Excel files
Tables
- converting text to a table
- inserting a table
- formatting tables
- tips and tricks with tables
Transparency
- opacity
- blending modes
- using transparency to enhance design
- working with effects
Printing and Exporting
- preflighting files
- packaging files
- adding bleed
- adding slugs
Creating PDFs
- press-ready PDFs
- PDFs for email and the web
Our goal is to make sure your class meets your objectives, not ours. This outline is intended as a guide to provide structure for the workshop. Don't be afraid to ask questions outside the box; our instructors are experts in the use of Indesign at all levels and are prepared to answer your questions on the fly.
InDesign Complete3 days | $1095 + HST
Our most popular InDesign course for those who can manage three days away from the office. The extra day is used to cover advanced topics that increase productivity and save time, and to provide additional practice. Prerequisite: familiarity with computer/mouse and proficiency in at least one software application.
InDesign Complete covers all topics from our 2-day Essentials class plus the following advanced topics:
- nested styles
- liquid layouts
- alternate layouts
- variable text
- import filters and auto update
- the books feature
- working with long documents
- table of contents
- using Scripts
- live captions
- hyperlinks
Our goal is to make sure your class meets your objectives, not ours. This outline is intended as a guide to provide structure for the workshop. Don't be afraid to ask questions outside the box; our instructors are experts in the use of Indesign at all levels and are prepared to answer your questions on the fly.
Interactive Documents1 day | $525 + HST
The movement towards interactive documents and presentations is exploding. It's not hard to see why. Interactive documents are incredibly user-friendly, allowing readers to go directly to specific content without scrolling page by page. Interactive documents save time too – now you can convert existing documents to presentations without having to re-create everything in PowerPoint. Designers love InDesign's interactive features because it allows them to create stunning presentations so easily. Learn how to add movies, sound clips, interactive buttons, hyperlinks and bookmarks to InDesign documents to create sensational slide presentations, style guides, mood boards, and more. Prerequisite: familiarity with InDesign.
- digital publishing ideas and trends
- preparing your workspace
- creating an rgb colour palette
- creating a font palette
- design basics
- creating a slide presentation
- choosing the document size
- when to use layers
- preparing your images and graphics
- automatic page numbering
- how master pages can be helpful
- creating navigation buttons
- creating bookmarks
- adding url hyperlinks
- page transitions
- rollover effects
- advanced techniques
- adding a button to enter full screen mode
- creating bookmarks
- navigating to specific pages
- using effects and transparency
- creating a reflection effect
- placing multiple files as a grid of images
- assigning actions to the navigation buttons
- creating a button to reveal and hide objects
- toggling visibility of several objects with one button
- embedding video and sound
- finishing touches
- exporting to PDF and Flash
Advanced InDesign1 day | $525 + HST
Without a doubt, Indesign is the world's most advanced page layout application. This workshop is often customized to suit students' specific needs. Our objective is to pass along tips and techniques that will increase your productivity exponentially. We'll show you how to make InDesign dance. Prerequisite: InDesign Complete or lots of experience.
- grep, glyph, and object find/change
- import filters and auto update
- long document short cuts
- typographic tips
- automatic captions
- working smart with pdf's
- align selections to a key object
- using next style
- using nested styles
- layout adjustment
- indesign books
- conditional text
- interactive document basics
- using scripts
- and lots more ...
InDesign for eBooks 1 day | $525 + HST
eBooks now routinely outsell their hard cover cousins. What's more, eBooks are exciting! You can include movies and revolving 3D objects in your eBook, for example. They also cheaper to produce and easier to update. This one-day class takes you through every step in the process of creating and refining your eBook. Prerequisite: proficiency in InDesign.
- types of eBooks
- eBook production basics
- structure and content of eBook files
- preparing your InDesign file
- modifying text and images
- what happens in the conversion process
- working with cover images
- adding a custom Table of Contents
- adding meta data
- eBook bugs and how to fix them
- validating your eBook files
- editing and updating ePubs
- editing page flow
- converting your eBook to Kindle format
- exporting for the iPad
- technical tips
- getting an ISBN number
- crucial resources
- getting your work into the Kindle store
- getting your work into the Nook book store
- getting your work into the iBook store
- a look at Apple's new Author app
