What is the course about?
In this course, you will learn to use the essential tools in InDesign using up-to-date software in one of our well-equipped and fully accessible studios at our Covent Garden site.
Through creative demonstrations and practical exercises, you will learn InDesign fundamental tools, panels and techniques.
Starting with layout basics, you will quickly move to typographic tools and working with long text using styles. You will also learn how add colour, create tables and objects and create a professional folder to send to commercial printers.
InDesign is part of Adobe Creative Cloud and works seamlessly with other Adobe software such as Photoshop and Illustrator.
This course will enable students to use InDesign to create single and multiple page documents, whether working as a company employee, a freelancer or producing your own personal projects.
Although this is a non-accredited course, students successfully completing the course will be awarded our CityLit Certificate - based on achievements of the course outcomes and attendance..
What will we cover?
• Managing InDesign work environment
• Adding and managing images
• Adding and managing pages
• Managing Master pages
• Adding and managing text
• Threading text
• Character and Paragraph Styles
• Wrapping text around objects
• Adding and managing colour
• Designing tables
• Integration with Photoshop and illustrator
• Pre-flight and packaging
• Save and export from InDesign.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
You will learn in a relaxed environment with a small group of up to 8 people.
• Create, open and save an InDesign Document
• Navigate through Adobe InDesign workspace confidently
• Create simple and multiple pages documents
• Layout text and images in a document
• Manipulate images
• Manipulate short and long text
• Create swatches and apply colour
• Create tables¬¬
• Identify and remove errors from a document
• Integrate with Photoshop and Illustrator
• Prepare and pack a folder for commercial printers
• Save and export files in Indd, Idml and pdf formats.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
No prior knowledge of InDesign is required, but understanding either of Photoshop or Illustrator is desirable. You should know how to use a computer, copying and move files around the system proficiently.
If you are new to using Apple computers you might find useful one of our introduction to Apple Mac courses that run each term.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion. You should be able to use numbers and be able to do simple measurements and calculations.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The course consists of creative and practical activities, discussions and step by step demonstrations. One-to-one guidance and support will be given throughout. Notes will be provided.
The course will be taught inside the classroom.
You will be taught using a range of techniques including workshops, short lectures, demonstrations, practical exercises, tutorials, group and individual. Notes will be provided.
Please note the City Lit uses Apple Mac computers in Animation, Cartooning, Digital arts, Film, Graphics, Illustration, Photography and Web design.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
It would be useful to bring a memory stick (or portable hard drive – please note PC formatted hard drives can be read by Apple mac computers, but not written to). Notes are provided.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
You can further develop your skills and interest in Graphic design, photography and illustration through a range of courses at the City Lit. You can download a PDF of all our courses on offer, view a calendar and see a virtual tour at
http://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/Art_and_design/890, search on the web site or request a printed prospectus from the City Lit home page. See also our Fast Forward talks featuring well known Digital Artists, including animators, at http://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/Art_and_design/575.
General information and advice on courses at City Lit is available from the Student Centre and Library on Monday to Friday from 12:00 – 19:00.
See the course guide for term dates and further details
