Objective

To learn InDesign layout and production techniques by recreating the 4-page brochure below.

Procedure

prepping for the exercise

1. download starter files
2. examine downloaded files
3. launch InDesign
4. file > new: letter, portrait; pages=4, facing pages=yes; margins top/bottom/inside=3p, outside=4p6; bleeds=1p
5. practice Adobe navigation keyboard shortcuts: space=hand; space+cmd=zoom in; space+cmd+opt=zoom out; cmd+zero=fit in window
6. practice InDesign preview shortcuts: cmd+opt+I (show/hide hidden characters); W (normal/preview mode)
7. go to page 4
8. layout > numbering & section: start page at "4" (note small triangle)
9. window > pages: drag page 4 to before page 1 (hint: make icons small, expand palette)
10. go to page 1
11. layout > numbering & section: start page at "1" (note small triangle)

doing the layout

1. rename "layer 1" "pix"
2. file > place all pictures (cmd+D)
3. crop & scale pictures (cmd+shift-drag corner handle)
4. new layer "text"
5. file > place "HRBR.doc" (cmd+D); position on pasteboard
6. replace two spaces with one space (cmd+F)
7. replace ^p^p with ^p (cmd+F)
8. window > paragraph styles: edit "normal" style: 10/12 Adobe Garamond; tab=1p6; hyphenation=on
9. split text into logical frames; set captions aside; move frames to the appropriate pages; thread text
10. duplicate "basic paragraph" style, rename "head": 10/12 Helvetica Black, hyphenation=off
11. duplicate "head" paragraph style, rename "caption": 8/10 Helvetica Condensed, hyphenation=off
12. apply styles
13. finish layout (make as many alignments as possible)
14. adjust layout until it matches the reference file
15. add your name to page 4: color=registration

pre-press checklist

1. window > output > separation preview
2. convert spot colors to CMYK
3. file > preflight
4. file > package
5. file > adobe PDF presets > press quality
6. print a b&w composite on letter-sized paper
7. print as separations to a b&w printer on tabloid paper (general: spread=yes; setup: scale to fit=yes; marks & bleed: all printer's marks, with bleed & slugs; output: color=separations, choose CMYK and spot colors)

grading

1. submit lasers and separations with your name on it for grading
2. file graded proof in your 3-ring binder for individual review