InDesign in a Day

Learn Adobe InDesign Fundamentals

Learn how to layout pages with text and graphics. In no time at all you’ll be able to control typography, add photos, create/use colors, and more!

This 6-hour class will quickly get you started with the essentials. It’s for people who use InDesign lightly and only have 1 day (or 2 nights) to spare.

What You’ll Learn at a Glance

• Create layouts with text, color, and graphics
• Import and style text & graphics
• Create & apply color
• Create a brochure and 2–page magazine ad
• Prepare your files for final output: printing or PDF

Section 1

A. Letter Creation

• Setting Preferences
• The Control Panel
• Text Frames
• Basic Text Attributes
• Basic Keyboard Shortcuts

B. Large Type Letter

• More Text Attributes

C. More Text Styling

• Baseline Shift
• Small Caps
• Line Tool
• Making Proper Fractions

D. Magazine Ad

• Setting Up a Document Bleed
• Placing Images
• Combining Text and Images
• White Type on a Black Background

E. Advanced Word Processing/Formatting

• Paragraph Spacing
• Tabs

Section 2

A. Kerning/Tracking

• Optical vs. Metric Kerning
• Kerning vs. Tracking
• Manual Kerning

B. 2–Page Magazine Ad

• Facing Pages
• Color Swatches
• Defining Colors

C. Sporktown Brochure

• Placing Text, Photos, & Illustrations
• Gradient Swatches
• Drop Shadows
• Alignment
• Text Wrap

D. Outputting Files

• Exporting PDFs
• Packaging Files to send to a printer

Learn more about InDesign in a Day at NYC Career Centers.