OBJECTIVE 1 – CREATING AN INDESIGN DOCUMENT
Suggested Activities/Exercises:
● Discuss purpose of use as it relates to InDesign vs. Photoshop/Illustrator
● Creating and saving an InDesign file
● Types of files: .INDD, .PDF
TOOLS and TECHNIQUES:
Tools Overview:
Type Tools
Create and format type in standard or customized blocks or paths.
Drawing Tools
Draw and style simple and complex objects, including rectangles, ellipses, polygons, freeform shapes.
Selection Tools
Select (activate) objects, points, or lines.
Transform Tools
Reshape, reorient, and resize objects.
Navigation Tools
Move around in, control the view of, and measure distances in a document.
The Scissors Tool
Splits paths and frames.
PRACTICE Creating THIS random New Document:
Before creating a new document we have to change the settings to inches.
● InDesign > Preferences > Units & Increments (Change Horiztonal and Vertical to inches)
● Click OK
● File > New > Document
● Select Intent (print)
● Select number of pages (1)
● Indicate Facing Pages for a book style spread (not applicable for 1-page document)
● Choose Page Size and Orientation - If you do not change Units & Increments to INCHES Adobe will be preset to pica measurements
*** When putting in inches it must be written as 8.5 in and 11 in (the pica sizes will adjust on their own to 51p0 x 66p0)
● Enter Number of Columns and Gutter (space between columns)
Let's try 4 columns with a .25 in gutter
● Enter Margin width as .25 in
● Click OK
Practice -> How to Change Column/ Gutter Settings:
● Layout > Margins and Columns
● Adjust Margins as desired
● Under Columns Select Number Enter Gutter (space between columns)
● Click OK
Screen Mode:
● Normal: Shows non-printing guides
● Preview: Hides non-printing guides
● Bleed: (If built into page) Shows the area printed outside the page border which is cropped by professional printers
● Slug: (If built into the page) Shows the slug (notes) area that is later cropped by professional printers
● Presentation: Full Screen display of printing objects only
RESOURCES:
Adobe InDesign CC Help: https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/using/toolbox.html (Webpage)
Adobe InDesign CC – Basic Tools: http://www.annenbergdl.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Adobe-inDesign-CC-Basic-Tools.pdf (Webpage)
How to Get Started with Adobe InDesign CC – 10 Things Beginners Want to Know How To Do: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzE6nZofaI0 (45 minute video)
*******************************************************************
OBJECTIVE 2 – WORKING WITH SHAPES AND OBJECTS (Day 1-2)
Suggested Activities/ Exercises:
● Experiment with creating different shapes and objects
● Copy and paste shapes and objects, then change their color and stroke
● Create a symmetrical design that later can be used as the background for an ad or business card
TOOLS and TECHNIQUES:
Create a Rectangle:
Rectangle Tool
Select Rectangle Tool
Click and drag to desired size
Release mouse
To Resize click the Selection Tool
Click on object then click, hold, and drag one of the white handles to desired size
Change Fill Color of Object:
● Select object with Selection Tool
● Click on Color Fly Out Menu
● Select the Fill drop down arrow
● (Make sure the box, not “T” is selected) Click desired color
Stroke:
Strokes, or line settings, can be applied to paths, shapes, text frames, and text outlines. The Stroke panel provides control over the weight and appearance of the stroke, including how segments join, start and end shapes, and options for corners. The user can also select stroke settings in the Control panel when a path or frame is selected.
Applying Strokes:
● Select the path of the stroke needed to modify
o Note: When a path is selected using the Selection tool , the bounding box that encompasses that entire object is activated
o If the user wants to see the actual path, select the path using the Direct Selection tool instead
● Choose Window > Stroke to display the Stroke panel
● For Weight, choose a stroke weight in the menu, or type a value and press Enter or Return
o Note: Strokes thinner than 0.25 point may be too thin to see when printed on highresolution output devices such as an imagesetter
o To remove the stroke, type a value of 0 (zero)
● If additional options are not visible, choose Show Options from the panel menu to display the other stroke attributes
● Change other stroke attributes as desired
RESOURCES:
Adobe InDesign CC Help: https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/using/toolbox.html
Adobe InDesign CC Help: https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/using/applying-line-stroke-settings.html
*******************************************************************
OBJECTIVE 3 – SELECTION AND DIRECT SELECTION TOOLS (Day 2-3)
Suggested Activities/ Exercises:
● Become familiar with the difference between selection tools
● Using the InDesign file created to experiment with shape and object experiment with the different selection tools to see how they work
TOOLS and TECHNIQUES:
Selection and Direct Selection Tools:
Selection Tool
Allows the user to select text and graphics frames, and work with an object using its bounding box. If the user clicks the content grabber (the donut) that appears when the mouse pointer is held over an image, the user can manipulate the image within the frame without switching to the Direct Selection tool.
Direct Selection Tool
Allows the user to select the contents of a frame, such as a placed graphic, or work directly with editable objects, such as paths, rectangles, or type that has been converted to a text outline.
Type Tool
Allows the user to select text in a text frame, on a path, or in a table.
Select Multiple Objects:
● To select all the objects in a rectangular area, use the Selection tool to drag a marquee over the objects that are to be selected
● To select nonadjacent objects, use the Selection tool to select an object and then press Shift as the additional objects are clicked on, clicking selected objects deselects them
● To add more objects to a selection, press Shift as the Selection tool is used to drag a marquee over additional objects, dragging over selected objects deselects them
RESOURCES:
Adobe InDesign CC Help: https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/using/selecting-objects.html
******************************************************************
OBJECTIVE 4 – PLACING IMAGES (Day 4-5)
Suggested Activities/ Exercises:
● Discuss the importance of including imagery in marketing tools (photos, logos, branding, etc.)
● Discuss royalty free images
● Take digital photos or find royalty free images
● Practice placing images in an InDesign file
● Start to place images in a document to be used as an informational poster, destination travel brochure and poster, magazine spread, band flyer, newsletter, résumé, pamphlet, or restaurant menu (see Poster Lesson Plan folder)
TOOLS and TECHNIQUES:
Placing Images:
● File> Place
● Select Item (preferably .jpg)
● Select Open
● The cursor is now loaded with the picture
To Size the Image as it is Placed:
● Click, hold and drag to the desired sized on the page
● Release mouse button
To Place the Image at Full Size:
● Click once on the page
RESOURCES:
Adobe InDesign CC Help: https://helpx.adobe.com/pdf/indesign_reference.pdf
Suggested Activities/Exercises:
● Discuss purpose of use as it relates to InDesign vs. Photoshop/Illustrator
● Creating and saving an InDesign file
● Types of files: .INDD, .PDF
TOOLS and TECHNIQUES:
Tools Overview:
Type Tools
Create and format type in standard or customized blocks or paths.
Drawing Tools
Draw and style simple and complex objects, including rectangles, ellipses, polygons, freeform shapes.
Selection Tools
Select (activate) objects, points, or lines.
Transform Tools
Reshape, reorient, and resize objects.
Navigation Tools
Move around in, control the view of, and measure distances in a document.
The Scissors Tool
Splits paths and frames.
PRACTICE Creating THIS random New Document:
Before creating a new document we have to change the settings to inches.
● InDesign > Preferences > Units & Increments (Change Horiztonal and Vertical to inches)
● Click OK
● File > New > Document
● Select Intent (print)
● Select number of pages (1)
● Indicate Facing Pages for a book style spread (not applicable for 1-page document)
● Choose Page Size and Orientation - If you do not change Units & Increments to INCHES Adobe will be preset to pica measurements
*** When putting in inches it must be written as 8.5 in and 11 in (the pica sizes will adjust on their own to 51p0 x 66p0)
● Enter Number of Columns and Gutter (space between columns)
Let's try 4 columns with a .25 in gutter
● Enter Margin width as .25 in
● Click OK
Practice -> How to Change Column/ Gutter Settings:
● Layout > Margins and Columns
● Adjust Margins as desired
● Under Columns Select Number Enter Gutter (space between columns)
● Click OK
Screen Mode:
● Normal: Shows non-printing guides
● Preview: Hides non-printing guides
● Bleed: (If built into page) Shows the area printed outside the page border which is cropped by professional printers
● Slug: (If built into the page) Shows the slug (notes) area that is later cropped by professional printers
● Presentation: Full Screen display of printing objects only
RESOURCES:
Adobe InDesign CC Help: https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/using/toolbox.html (Webpage)
Adobe InDesign CC – Basic Tools: http://www.annenbergdl.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Adobe-inDesign-CC-Basic-Tools.pdf (Webpage)
How to Get Started with Adobe InDesign CC – 10 Things Beginners Want to Know How To Do: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzE6nZofaI0 (45 minute video)
*******************************************************************
OBJECTIVE 2 – WORKING WITH SHAPES AND OBJECTS (Day 1-2)
Suggested Activities/ Exercises:
● Experiment with creating different shapes and objects
● Copy and paste shapes and objects, then change their color and stroke
● Create a symmetrical design that later can be used as the background for an ad or business card
TOOLS and TECHNIQUES:
Create a Rectangle:
Rectangle Tool
Select Rectangle Tool
Click and drag to desired size
Release mouse
To Resize click the Selection Tool
Click on object then click, hold, and drag one of the white handles to desired size
Change Fill Color of Object:
● Select object with Selection Tool
● Click on Color Fly Out Menu
● Select the Fill drop down arrow
● (Make sure the box, not “T” is selected) Click desired color
Stroke:
Strokes, or line settings, can be applied to paths, shapes, text frames, and text outlines. The Stroke panel provides control over the weight and appearance of the stroke, including how segments join, start and end shapes, and options for corners. The user can also select stroke settings in the Control panel when a path or frame is selected.
Applying Strokes:
● Select the path of the stroke needed to modify
o Note: When a path is selected using the Selection tool , the bounding box that encompasses that entire object is activated
o If the user wants to see the actual path, select the path using the Direct Selection tool instead
● Choose Window > Stroke to display the Stroke panel
● For Weight, choose a stroke weight in the menu, or type a value and press Enter or Return
o Note: Strokes thinner than 0.25 point may be too thin to see when printed on highresolution output devices such as an imagesetter
o To remove the stroke, type a value of 0 (zero)
● If additional options are not visible, choose Show Options from the panel menu to display the other stroke attributes
● Change other stroke attributes as desired
RESOURCES:
Adobe InDesign CC Help: https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/using/toolbox.html
Adobe InDesign CC Help: https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/using/applying-line-stroke-settings.html
*******************************************************************
OBJECTIVE 3 – SELECTION AND DIRECT SELECTION TOOLS (Day 2-3)
Suggested Activities/ Exercises:
● Become familiar with the difference between selection tools
● Using the InDesign file created to experiment with shape and object experiment with the different selection tools to see how they work
TOOLS and TECHNIQUES:
Selection and Direct Selection Tools:
Selection Tool
Allows the user to select text and graphics frames, and work with an object using its bounding box. If the user clicks the content grabber (the donut) that appears when the mouse pointer is held over an image, the user can manipulate the image within the frame without switching to the Direct Selection tool.
Direct Selection Tool
Allows the user to select the contents of a frame, such as a placed graphic, or work directly with editable objects, such as paths, rectangles, or type that has been converted to a text outline.
Type Tool
Allows the user to select text in a text frame, on a path, or in a table.
Select Multiple Objects:
● To select all the objects in a rectangular area, use the Selection tool to drag a marquee over the objects that are to be selected
● To select nonadjacent objects, use the Selection tool to select an object and then press Shift as the additional objects are clicked on, clicking selected objects deselects them
● To add more objects to a selection, press Shift as the Selection tool is used to drag a marquee over additional objects, dragging over selected objects deselects them
RESOURCES:
Adobe InDesign CC Help: https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/using/selecting-objects.html
******************************************************************
OBJECTIVE 4 – PLACING IMAGES (Day 4-5)
Suggested Activities/ Exercises:
● Discuss the importance of including imagery in marketing tools (photos, logos, branding, etc.)
● Discuss royalty free images
● Take digital photos or find royalty free images
● Practice placing images in an InDesign file
● Start to place images in a document to be used as an informational poster, destination travel brochure and poster, magazine spread, band flyer, newsletter, résumé, pamphlet, or restaurant menu (see Poster Lesson Plan folder)
TOOLS and TECHNIQUES:
Placing Images:
● File> Place
● Select Item (preferably .jpg)
● Select Open
● The cursor is now loaded with the picture
To Size the Image as it is Placed:
● Click, hold and drag to the desired sized on the page
● Release mouse button
To Place the Image at Full Size:
● Click once on the page
RESOURCES:
Adobe InDesign CC Help: https://helpx.adobe.com/pdf/indesign_reference.pdf