Objective

To learn the rules, traditions and conventions of typesetting editorial text. To be introduced issues involving layout and publication design. To be introduced to InDesign's professional typesetting tools by laying out the following editorial spread:

Download starter files

Procedure

prepping for the exercise

1. inspect downloaded files
2. launch InDesign
3. file > new: letter, portrait, facing pages; margins=0; (save preset "blank portrait")
4. practice Adobe navigation keyboard shortcuts: space=hand; space+cmd=zoom in; space+cmd+opt=zoom out; cmd+zero=fit in window
5. practice InDesign preview shortcuts: cmd+opt+I (show/hide hidden characters); W (normal/preview mode)
6. help: keyboard shortcuts: keys for working with type
7. create a 2-page spread: add pages 2 and 3
8. select page 2 and 3, keep spread together (window > pages: flyout menu)
9. delete page 1
10. rename "layer 1" "text"

laying out the right-hand page

1. file > place "goudy.doc" (cmd+D)
2. change text frame to 2 columns
3. find all occurances of two RETURNS and replace with one RETURN (replace "^p^p" with "^p"); replace two spaces with one space
4. change "normal" paragraph style to 10/12 Goudy, justified left, indent first line 1p6, hyphenation=yes (window > paragraph styles)
5. split text into logical frames; rough out page 2
6. duplicate "normal" style, rename "first": 14/22, no indent, justified full; apply (tip: deselect before working with styles)
7. duplicate "first" style, rename "lead-in": 11/24, all caps; apply
8. duplicate "lead-in" style, rename "folio": 7pt Gill Sans, all caps, align right; apply
9. adjust layout until it matches the reference file (adjust size, position, tracking, kerning); tip: draw guides as needed
10. add decorative bullets (window > glyphs)

laying out the left-hand page

1. add 2 new layers: "bg", "art"; restack (tip: lock layers you are not working on)
2. copy "Goudy" into new text frame on "art" layer
3. type tool: select one character at a time, type > create outlines
4. select tool: cut and paste outline objects out of text frame
5. scale, position, add color, restack (object > arrange...)
6. mask art for the left hand page: select all art, group; cut and paste into new blank picture frame (edit > paste into)
7. add background color, adjust color of type objects
8. change byline to your name
9. print; submit color laser proof with your name on it for grading
10. file graded proof in your 3-ring binder for individual review