graphic design | parkland college

Graphic Design Exercises

InDesign: CD Package

 

Objective

 

 

To learn InDesign layout and production techniques by recreating the a CD package design.

 

Procedure

 

prepping for the exercise

  1. download starter files
  2. using Font Xplorer, turn on Kaufmann and Birch
  3. download jewel box templates from Oasis: 4-panel folder, tray card, on-disc imprint (print to center)
  4. inspect downloaded files
  5. open "CD400.indd" in InDesign
  6. practice Adobe navigation keyboard shortcuts: space=hand; space+cmd=zoom in; space+cmd+opt=zoom out; cmd+zero=fit in window
  7. practice InDesign preview shortcuts: cmd+opt+I (show/hide hidden characters); W (normal/preview mode)

laying out the folder

  1. new layer "pix"
  2. file > place all pictures (cmd+D); scale and crop
  3. new layer "art"
  4. file > place "souleyes.ai" (cmd+D); scale & crop, rotate -4 degrees
  5. window swatches: change Pantone colors to process, add new swatches as needed
  6. draw boxes, modify with direct select tool, fill with appropriate colors (page 2 bg=40%, page 3 bg=20%)
  7. new layer "text"
  8. file > place "text.doc" (cmd+D); position on pasteboard
  9. replace two spaces with one space (cmd+F)
  10. replace ^p^p with ^p (cmd+F)
  11. select title, cut and paste into position on page 1
  12. spec 12pt Birch, horiz scale=200%, tracking=25
  13. make "LATIN JAZZ" 18pt, baseline shift=-2pt

typesetting the inside spread

  1. select first paragraph, cut and paste into position on page 2
  2. spec 7/12 ITC Franklin Gothic Book, horiz scale=85%
  3. make new paragraph style "text", hyphenation=off; apply
  4. select head, spec 10/12 Birch, horiz scale=200%, tracking=50
  5. make new paragraph style "head", apply
  6. select initial cap, spec 12/12 Kaufmann Bold, baseline shift=-1
  7. make new character style "caps", apply
  8. select songs, cut and paste into position on page 3
  9. object > text frame options: columns=3, gutter=0p3
  10. window > interactive > hyperlinks: delete
  11. make the following paragraph styles (ITC Franklin Gothic Book):
    - "songs": 6.5/7.5, horiz scale=85%
    - "songsIndent": left indent=0p6, first line=-0p6 (based on "songs")
    - "halfLineSpace": leading=0p4 (based on "songs")
  12. make the following character styles:
    - "song times": 6pt ITC Franklin Gothic Book
    - "song titles": 6.5pt ITC Franklin Gothic Demi
  13. apply styles
  14. select text for tray, apply styles; cut

laying out the tray card

  1. open "CDT100.indd" in InDesign
  2. new layer "text", paste text into position
  3. new layer "art", copy boxes from folder file, modify
  4. new layer "pix", place images, modify frames
  5. style head, small type, spine; adjust leading
  6. use cmd+\ to outdent select paragraphs

laying out the CD art

  1. open "D109.indd" in InDesign
  2. copy & paste a blue and purple box from "CD400.indd"
  3. adjust size and position of boxes
  4. copy appropriate text from tray document into new "text" layer
  5. file > place "souleyes.ai"
  6. adjust type and layout as needed
  7. duplicate "guide" layer, rename "mask", restack to top
  8. delete all art except blue guides
  9. draw large white box, edit > select all (cmd+A)
  10. window > object > pathfinder: minus back
  11. save, save as "D109-proof.indd"
  12. file > document setup: width/height=4.7in
  13. hide all non-printing layers
  14. file > export as JPEG: resolution=150PPI, quality=maximum (this file can be printed directly onto a CD using Parkland's special inkjet printer)

pre-press checklist

  1. window > output > separation preview
  2. file > preflight
  3. file > package
  4. file > adobe PDF presets > press quality
  5. print as composite to a color printer
  6. print as separations to a b&w printer

grading

  1. adjust all layouts until they match the reference file
  2. add your name to the bottom of files (color=registration)
  3. submit color lasers with your name on it for grading
  4. file graded proof in your 3-ring binder for individual review

 

 

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