Objective

To learn InDesign production skills as it relates to corporate identity.

Discussion

Typical applications of a logo include letterhead, business cards, envelopes and mailing labels. Consistency between these elements is critical in order to project a professional image. Paper is also part of the image and choosing the right paper will often enhance the identity of the company.

Procedure

preparing the masters in Illustrator

1. download starter files
2. examine downloaded files
3. open "HRA Logo Master.ai" in Illustrator
4. file > save as "HRA Logo Black.ai"
5. copy art and create variations (horizontal, vertical, minimum, maximum, reverse)
6. delete all unused swatches
7. save, save as "HRA Logo Color.ai"
8. window > swatch libraries > color books > Pantone coated
9. change symbol to PMS 2736
10. record Pantone and CMYK formulas
11. save, save as "HRA Logo Web.ai"
12. file > document color mode > RGB
13. change colors to RGB, record HEX values

creating the business card layouts in InDesign

1. launch InDesign
2. file > new: letter portrait, margins=0
3. save as "HRA Bus Cards.indd"
4. draw box, make 2 x 3.5 inches (stroke=.75pt)
5. draw guides for 4-up business cards
6. file > place "HRA Bus Cards.txt", clean up text
7. spec type as 7/9 Helv Cond and 9.5/18 Helv Cond Black
8. make style sheets
9. file > place "HRA Logo Color.ai"
10. fine tune layout
11. dupe art 3x, align
12. draw crop marks (color=registration)
13. save and print

creating the letterhead layout in InDesign

1. dupe "HRA Bus Cards.indd", rename "HRA Letterhead.indd"
2. edit text, spec type as 9/11 Helv Cond
3. file > place "HRA Letterhead.txt" and "Letter.txt"
4. spec type as 11/12 Times
5. fine tune layout
6. save and print

creating the label layout in InDesign

1. dupe "HRA Letterhead.indd", rename "HRA Label.indd"
2. delete appropriate text
3. draw box 20p x 25p6, send to back
4. fine tune layout
5. draw guides for 6-up labels
6. group, dupe 5x, align
7. save and print

creating the envelope layout in InDesign

1. dupe "HRA Label.indd", rename "HRA Envelope.indd"
2. delete appropriate art
3. file > document size: 57p x 25p, draw box to match
4. fine tune layout
5. save and print

grading

1. file > adobe PDF presets > smallest file size (for web)
2. submit b&w laser proof with your name on it for grading
3. file graded proof in your 3-ring binder for individual review
4. file > export (all pages, 150PPI, quality=high)
5. open JPEGs in Photoshop
6. crop, file > save for web (preset=jpeg high, image size=800px wide)
7. publish JPEGs as a links from your projects page