Adobe InDesign E-Book

Mercury Learning and Information

• Herausgeber: Packt Publishing
• Kategorie: Fachliteratur
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 290

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024

Beschreibung

This book explores digital design, tailored for beginners eager to master Adobe InDesign, and serves as a valuable resource for experienced users refining their skills. It demystifies Adobe InDesign, defining essential tools through engaging projects and tutorials. Starting with navigating the interface, it lays a solid foundation by teaching how to open and create documents, understand the workspace, and tailor the program to individual needs.
The book offers practical experience with projects such as web banners, social media ads, logos, flyers, posters, covers, newsletters, and booklets. Each project builds on the previous one, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of InDesign's capabilities. A complete “Save the Sharks” marketing campaign allows users to apply their skills in a real-world context, with options to customize content for personal campaigns.
Understanding Adobe InDesign is crucial for creating professional-quality designs. This book transitions users from novices to confident designers, equipped with practical skills and comprehensive knowledge. It ensures a smooth learning journey, enhancing creative potential and proficiency in digital design. Companion files with video tutorials and project files enrich the learning experience, making it an essential resource for all levels.

Leseprobe

ADOBE®INDESIGN®

CREATIVE CLASS FOR BEGINNERS

LICENSE, DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY, AND LIMITED WARRANTY

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Companion files for this title are available by writing to the publisher at [email protected].

ADOBE INDESIGN

CREATIVE CLASS FOR BEGINNERS

Stephanie TortaLauren Saalmuller

MERCURY LEARNING AND INFORMATIONBoston, Massachusetts

Copyright ©2024 by MERCURY LEARNING AND INFORMATION.An Imprint of DeGruyter Inc. All rights reserved.

This publication, portions of it, or any accompanying software may not be reproduced in any way, stored in a retrieval system of any type, or transmitted by any means, media, electronic display or mechanical display, including, but not limited to, photocopy, recording, Internet postings, or scanning, without prior permission in writing from the publisher.

Publisher: David PallaiMERCURY LEARNING AND INFORMATION121 High Street, 3rd FloorBoston, MA [email protected]

S. Torta, L. Saalmuller. Adobe® InDesign®.ISBN: 9781683926047

The publisher recognizes and respects all marks used by companies, manufacturers, and developers as a means to distinguish their products. All brand names and product names mentioned in this book are trademarks or service marks of their respective companies. Any omission or misuse (of any kind) of service marks or trademarks, etc. is not an attempt to infringe on the property of others.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023948303

242526321 This book is printed on acid-free paper in the United States of America.

Our titles are available for adoption, license, or bulk purchase by institutions, corporations, etc.For additional information, please contact the Customer Service Dept. at 800-232-0223 (toll free).

All of our titles are available in digital format at academiccourseware.com and other digital vendors. Companion files (code listings) for this title are available by contacting [email protected]. The sole obligation of MERCURY LEARNING AND INFORMATION to the purchaser is to replace the disc, based on defective materials or faulty workmanship, but not based on the operation or functionality of the product.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

There were many people who helped with the making of Adobe InDesign Creative Class for Beginners. Although there are too many to name, I would like to mention a few whose support went above and beyond. First, I would like to say a very big “thank you” to my testers Michelle and Johnathan, who went through every project step-by-step. Your insight was invaluable and so incredibly helpful. This book would not have been possible without you. Thank you to Rachel, Brooke and Eric for your amazing help in bringing this book together. Your work was extremely helpful. I want to thank my coauthor Lauren for helping shape the vision and campaign for the book. I also appreciate the support of all my friends and let me talk endlessly about the book. Most of all, I would like to thank my mother. Without your unwavering support, this book would not have been possible. Thank you!

- Stephanie Torta, 2024

CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

Image Links and Licensing

Introduction

How to use this book

Chapter 1: Learning the Workspace

1.1 - Opening and Creating a New Document

1.2 - The Workspace Overview

1.3 - Customization

1.4 - Page Overview

1.5 - Using Rulers, Guides, and Grids

1.6 - Navigation

Chapter 2: In-Depth Projects

2.1 - Web/Hero Banner

2.2 - Social Media/Web Advertisement

2.3 - Presentation Backgrounds

2.4 - Logo

2.5 - Single-page Flyer (Print)

Chapter 3: Focused Projects

3.1 - Single-sided Poster

3.2 - Two-sided Postcard

3.3 - Book or Magazine Cover

3.4 - Newsletter

3.5 - Booklet

Chapter 4: Further Study

4.1 - Reworking Book Projects

4.2 - Additional Project Ideas

4.3 - Incorporating Additional Programs

Appendix

Project Figures

Project Tutorial Videos

Quick Skill Videos

Common Key Commands

Common File Formats

Glossary of Key Terms

Index

IMAGE LINKS AND LICENSING

All images are copyrighted by Stephanie Torta and Lauren Saalmuller unless otherwise noted.

Great White Shark off South Africa: By Hermanus Backpackers, from Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wikiFile: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Great_white_shark_south_africa.jpg

Water Pattern: By Martin Thoma, from Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Water-pattern-1.jpg

Cretoxyrhina Mantelli: By Damouraptor, from Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cretoxyrhina_mantelli.png

Tiburon: By Fbattail, from Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tibur%C3%B3n.jpg

Atlantic Shark Institute White Shark Capture: By Jon Dodd, from Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Atlantic_Shark_Institute_White_Shark_Capture.webp

Sharks-coll-001: By MathKnight, from Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sharks-coll-001.jpg

White Shark: By Terry Gloss, from Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:White_shark.jpg

Dharavandhoo Thila - Whale Shark: By Shiyam ElkCloner, from Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dharavandhoo_Thila_-_Whale_Shark.jpg

Hammer Head: By Xvic, from Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hammer_Head.jpg

Haai11: By Albert Kok, from Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Haai11.jpg

Sping Dogfish: By NOAA, from Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Spiny_dogfish.jpg

Squatina Australis: By Nick Long, from Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Squatina_australis.jpg

Sharks in the Shore: By Rolandandika, from Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sharks_in_The_Shore.jpg

Sharks @ Mandalay Bay Aquarium: By Daniel Ramirez, from Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sharks_@_Mandalay_Bay_Aquarium.jpg

MacBook Mockups: by Unicode_Studiohttps://elements.envato.com/macbook-mockups-XJXPYRU

Clean Proposal: by Proontyhttps://elements.envato.com/clean-proposal-8X6JVQW

Trifold Brochure Mockup: by Milesworkhttps://elements.envato.com/trifold-brochure-mockup-E59CPGD

MS Word CV Contract Business Card Invite Templates: by Giallohttps://elements.envato.com/ms-word-cv-contract-business-card-invite-templates-9X2SPMD

Fish underwater: by Galyna_Andrushkohttps://elements.envato.com/fish-underwater-6VLY4EF

Fish underwater: by Galyna_Andrushkohttps://elements.envato.com/fish-underwater-J4B4YAN

Spiral Motion of Lines Backgrounds: by themefirehttps://elements.envato.com/spiral-motion-of-lines-backgrounds-ZQUKNB

Coral reef: by Galyna_Andrushkohttps://elements.envato.com/coral-reef-SRUHWE3

Underwater view of the coral reef: by EwaStudiohttps://elements.envato.com/underwater-view-of-the-coral-reef-J7MMLGN

Underwater scene. Coral reef, fish groups in clear ocean water: by EwaStudiohttps://elements.envato.com/underwater-scene-coral-reef-fish-groups-in-clear-o-KC52APE

Coral reef: by Galyna_Andrushkohttps://elements.envato.com/coral-reef-NTSGQX9

Fish underwater: by Galyna_Andrushkohttps://elements.envato.com/fish-underwater-82VJWQ5

Fishes in the transparent blue water. Natural background with animals: by biletskiyhttps://elements.envato.com/fishes-in-the-transparent-blue-water-natural-backg-96NC6F4

Coral reef: by Galyna_Andrushkohttps://elements.envato.com/coral-reef-9Z65RQ3

Underwater scene. Colorful and vibrant aquarium life: by EwaStudiohttps://elements.envato.com/underwater-scene-colorful-and-vibrant-aquarium-lif-YB92LE5

Colorful Tropical Reef Landscape. Life in the ocean: by EwaStudiohttps://elements.envato.com/colorful-tropical-reef-landscape-life-in-the-ocean-CLXYZQC

Enoplosus armatus. Underwater close up view of tropical fishes. Life in ocean: by mstandrethttps://elements.envato.com/enoplosus-armatus-underwater-close-up-view-of-trop-2RVWGCA

Fish underwater: Galyna_Andrushkohttps://elements.envato.com/fish-underwater-AT3MYPF

Beautiful underwater world. Sea world with fish and its inhabitants: by EwaStudiohttps://elements.envato.com/beautiful-underwater-world-sea-world-with-fish-and-M78QARN

Coral fish: by Galyna_Andrushkohttps://elements.envato.com/coral-fish-Z8NGY7F

Underwater seascape of corals and algae in the ocean.: by erika8213https://elements.envato.com/underwater-seascape-of-corals-and-algae-in-the-oce-PFHAB97

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to Adobe InDesign: Creative Class for Beginners. This book is intended for beginners; however, it also includes details and tips for more experienced users.

Adobe InDesign can be a complex and intimidating program for first-time users. The projects in this book break down both the basic tools and required skills into small, individual steps.

The book begins by covering the interface workspace and customization available within the interface. Next, the book provides tutorials that help readers gain hands-on experience with projects. Each project builds upon the previous project to develop a strong foundation of skills.

To reinforce each project and bring in real-world experience, readers will follow a practice “Save the Sharks” marketing campaign and design projects commonly used within the industry. You can swap out the content of the project files to build your own campaign or use the existing information.

The screenshots throughout the book were taken with the version of Adobe InDesign for the Windows operating system and were current at the time of publication. There will be slight differences in the appearance of the program for some readers (primarily in the menus, item location, and key commands, and between the Mac and Windows InDesign versions). However, the basic tools and functions are the same across operating systems. This book includes a list of common default key commands for both the Mac and Windows operating systems.

There is a lot to learn, so let’s get started.

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

Projects

The goal of this book is to teach new users the basics of Adobe InDesign. We recommended that you learn each project in order, as this book is organized for each project to build upon the project before. However, each project is self-contained and can be taken out of order. Due to continuous changes in technology and updates from Adobe, we recommended that you research the latest features and information for your version of Adobe InDesign.

Project and Tutorial files

This book includes video tutorials and cross-referencing throughout to make it easy to review tools and skills. The projects follow a marketing campaign selected to highlight skills from the projects. Project and tutorial files are available for download along with the book.

Callouts

There are callouts that provide or signify additional information used throughout the book. These callouts include side notes and tips that supplement the projects. Some callouts indicate which video and files are available for reference.

These are the callouts used throughout this book:

•Key Term: The meaning of an important word or phrase

•Tip/Note: Useful information or a piece of advice

•Net Research: Evolving information that should be researched for the latest updates

Additional Files

This book includes additional companion files that range from short tutorials reviewing the projects to practice files. The figures used throughout the book are also included. Please see the Companion Files for these resources. If you do not have or can not find the Companion Files, please contact the publisher.

Some of these features include

•mini tutorial videos

•figure images

•project files

•quick skill videos

•key command and file format lists

Operating Systems (OS)

Adobe InDesign can be used on multiple operating systems, including Windows and Mac (macOS). The basic principles and features are mostly the same within the different OS versions. For beginners, the main differences are the locations of some menu items and key commands.

This book mostly uses the Windows version of InDesign, but if you are using macOS, you can follow along with only slight modifications. This book will use the term right-click to indicate when to open a context menu by clicking on the right mouse button. Users on macOS might need to adjust their mouse or touchpad settings to activate the right-click option.

Key Commands

Included in the book are lists of default key commands for both macOS and Windows. They are current at the time of publishing. These lists serve as a helpful guide to learning key commands (hot keys) and speeding up your workflow.

Terminology Writing Style

These projects are technical and use common computer and program terminology. Many of these actions and locations have the same name. The book uses the common and user-friendly technical writing system, where a boldface font describes menu item names, buttons, file formats, programs, interface parts, and keyboard keys. This style is used to differentiate between a work action and programs, formats, or terms. The book uses the > symbol to signify actions in a menu line.

For example, action instructions to open the Preferences Window on the Windows OS version of InDesign are as follows:

1.Go to the Application Menu, hover over Edit to open the menu list, then navigate to Preferences and select. This will open the Preferences Window.

2.Application Menu > Edit > Preferences

In addition, file formats are written using their file extension for clarity. This is how they are viewed on your computer screen, and you will be able to quickly identify them. A list of file formats and their extensions are available in the book.

CTRL (CMD) is used for showing the Windows and macOS key commands prompts. CTRL signifies the Windows OS, and CMD refers to the macOS.

The terminology used in this book is current at the time of publishing. However, terminology may change with future Adobe updates or as technology evolves.

Interface and Menu Terminology

Interface and menu terminologies for user interfaces and programs can change over time and with updates. Different sources might have different names for the same elements or actions. For example, a “dropdown menu” in one media source could be called a “fly-out menu” or “pull-down menu” in another. This book uses these common names for the selected interface or menu items:

•Dialog box: The interface window that opens for user interaction

•Dropdown menu: When clicked, this button opens a list of options that are selectable

•Icon button: An image graphic that also acts as a function button

•Menu Options bar: A bar commonly located on the top of the interface that has selectable dropdown options and generally controls the overall program

•Right-click menu: A menu that will open when the right mouse button is clicked

•Window: An area holding a program, dialog box, or user interface that can pop up and overlay another area

•Wizard: A dialog box that walks the user through a set series of steps

Context Menus

Context menus change to match the task you are working on and item you have selected. For example, when selecting different tools in InDesign, the Options bar will change to match the current tool adjustment options.

System Requirements

Adobe InDesign should run on most computers, but it does require some computing power. The more powerful your computer, the higher quality and more complex the projects you can create. Computing power also affects rendering speed. For the most up-to-date minimum system requirements and installation directions, check the Adobe website and tech support documentation.

By Galyna_Andrushko

CHAPTER 1

Learning the Workspace

IN THIS CHAPTER

♦1.1 - Opening and Creating a New Document

♦1.2 - The Workspace Overview

♦1.3 - Customization

♦1.4 - Page Overview

♦1.5 - Using Rulers, Guides, and Grids

♦1.6 - Navigation

Before we start the projects, we need to learn and become familiar with the workspace, also referred to as an interface. InDesign can be a complex program, and the workspace is no exception. In this chapter, we provide the essentials to get you started on designing projects. While there are additional workspace features, menus, customization, and navigation, the focus of this book is to highlight what you will need to get started designing.

Note: The more you know about your Workspace, how it works, and how it can be customized, the more efficient your workflow will be. We recommend that once you feel comfortable with the highlighted features, you should explore the additional options of the workspace.

1.1 – Opening and Creating a New Document

When you first open Adobe InDesign, you are presented with the Welcome Screen, as shown in Figure 1.1. This screen has options to start a new document or open a pre-existing file. It also has quick-launch selections, including premade templates and recently opened documents. Additionally, there are links to your Adobe account and online tutorials.

Figure 1.1: Adobe InDesign Welcome Screen

1.Left menu bar: Contains the New file and Open buttons, along with Home, and on some versions, Learn links

2.Quick Selections: An area to swiftly launch premade presets or recent documents

3.Top left menu bar: Options mostly for when a document is created or opened, but it also includes New File and Open selections

4.Top right menu bar: Holds Search, What’s New, and Account Information options

5.Recent documents: Highlights recent files that have been opened

Note: Adobe updates the Welcome Screen often by highlighting new features and tutorial videos. It is a good place to explore.

How to Open or Create a New Document

From the Welcome Screen, there are a few ways to open or create a new file. Any of these will bring up the New Document or Open a File windows. You can use any option that fits best in your workflow. However, we will focus on the option located in the Left Menu bar on the left-hand side of the interface.

BRIEF REVIEW OF TERMS

Workspace – Contains the tools, menus, and panels of the application

Welcome Screen – The first screen of a program that provides start options, such as create a new file, open a pre-existing file, or open links

Preset – A saved set of settings that can be quickly selected

Note: The additional options for opening or creating a new document are shown in the Quick Skills and Mini-Tutorials. For example, the top menu bar and key commands can also be used.

As a new user, the easiest place to start is with the left menu bar. In it, New File and Open are the first two options (See Figure 1.2).

Figure 1.2: The left menu bar contains the New File and Open options.

Creating a New Document

To start a new document, click on New File from the left menu bar to reveal the New Document window, as shown in Figure 1.3.

Figure 1.3: Adobe InDesign’s New Document window

1.Top menu bar: This bar has Recent, which shows a list of recent documents, Saved, which shows saved document presets, and Print, Web, and Mobile, all of which include common preset selections

2.Preset Details: A side menu where you can manually enter the information needed to create a new preset or document

3.Your Recent Items: A list of documents you have opened recently

4.Collapsible banner: An informational banner location. The banner might not show if you close it or have been working in InDesign after a time

5.Adobe Stock search link: A search field that opens to the Adobe Stock website

Note: Adobe sometimes changes the layout of this window in software updates, but the important Preset Details remain the same.

The top menu bar of the window works as a set of tabs. When you select one of the other options, it changes the middle and right-side information to match the tab selection. For example, the Print tab shows the print preset templates and units used for printing, while the Web tab shows common sizes and units for use on the Web (See Figure 1.4).

Figure 1.4: Example of tabs showing common template settings. The Print tab settings are shown in the top screenshot, and the Web tab settings are shown in the bottom screenshot.

Note: The presets and top tabs are for convenience. You can change any of the settings at any time, even after your document is made.

Preset Details

If you are not using an available document preset, you can enter the desired document information in the Preset Details section, which has all the starting information you need to create your document.

You can save these settings as your own presets. They appear under the Saved top menu item and can be changed once you create your document. The presets are there to help you quickly start your new document.

Note: Depending on the size and resolution of your monitor, you might need to use the side scroll bar to see all the options.

A closer look at the Preset Details section is illustrated in Figure 1.5.

Figure 1.5: A closer look at the Preset Details section

1.Document Name

2.Save Preset

3.Width and Height

4.Units

5.Orientation

6.Pages, Facing Pages, and Start #

7.Primary Text Frame

8.Columns and Column Gutter

9.Margins

10.Linked Chain

11.Bleed

12.Slug

13.Unlinked Chain

14.Preview

15.Create or Close

1. Document Name

The first editable field is for the new document name. The default generic name is listed until it is changed.

Tip: It is a good habit to give a descriptive name to any new document so that it is easier to find later.

2. Save Preset

The box with the downward arrow symbol indicates the option to save your settings into a preset for future use. If you are going to use or design documents with the same custom settings, you can create a faster workflow by saving your setting into a preset for a quick launch option.

3. Width and Height

Next is the Width and Height of your document. You can type in specific numbers or use the upward and downward arrows to adjust the size of your document (See Figure 1.6).

Figure 1.6: The units of measurement avalable for selection in the document.

4. Units

The Units section has a dropdown arrow that opens a list of available units of measurement. The premade templates will change the units when selected.

Note: The default unit is Picas. You can change the default measurements in the Preferences window. This action is shown in the Quick Skills section.

5. Orientation

The icons with the person in a portrait or landscape box represent the Orientation of the page. Selecting an icon will change the Height and Width numbers accordingly.

6. Pages, Facing Pages, and Start #

Next is the Pages field. You can type in the number of pages required for the new document. Choose Facing Pages if you want to create a document layout like a book, with the pages facing each other, or a single page(s) document. For example, a booklet has pages that face one other (like a spread), whereas a two-sided flyer consists of two single pages that do not face each other. The Start # is the page number you would like your document to start with.

7. Primary Text Frame

The Primary Text Frame checkbox adds a starting text box to your document.

8. Columns and Column Gutter

The Columns and Column Gutter set up your document with the selected number of columns and space between the columns.

Note: The column options can be used for more than just body copy. For example, when designing a book cover with a Spine, you can set the document for two columns and the gutter as the width of the spine.

9. Margins

In the Margins section, you can set the amount of space you would like between your workspace or live area and the edge of your page or document. The next fields change depending on if you have Facing Pages selected. If this checkbox is not selected, you will see options to adjust the Top and Bottom and Right and Left margin spaces for individual pages.

If Facing Pages is checked, the right and left options will change to Inside and Outside margins. The terms “inside” and “outside” are used instead of “right” and “left” because of the multiple-facing page document. For example, if you have two pages of a book facing each other, there will be an inside margin where the two pages are side-by-side and an outside margin along the opposite edge.

10. Linked Chain

The Linked Chain icon represents a toggle where you can link together a group of settings so they are the same or so they can be changed at the same time. A broken chain indicates the fields can be adjusted individually.

11. Bleed

The Bleed setting is important for any design that will be printed and has graphics or text extending to the edge of the page. Presses and printers require extra space around the edge of the pages, as they cannot print ink to the edge of the paper.

To print a design with graphics that extend to the edge, the paper needs to be trimmed. The bleed refers to extra space around the sides of the paper that will be trimmed so you know where you can extend your graphics. At press, cutting paper is not exact, so adding a bleed will prevent any blank paper showing along the edge once it is trimmed.

12. Slug

A Slug is extra space outside your document area where you can include notes or instructions. They are outside of the live and bleed areas and will not be part of your final design. You will have the option to include a slug in your export if you want to send the slug information and instructions with your design. This is typically done if special instructions need to be conveyed to the prepress workers at a printer press.

BRIEF REVIEW OF TERMS

Spine – The width of the book, including binding materials.

Bleed – Extra space, past the trim of the document page, that will be trimmed when the paper is cut to size. A portion of the image or graphic is extended into this space to ensure that no white space is visible after the page is trimmed

Slug – Extra space outside of the document used to show instructions or notes for the printer that will not be printed

13. Unlinked Chain

An Unlinked Chain symbol indicates that the connected fields can be changed or modified independently.

14. Preview

The Preview checkbox will, when selected, show a live preview of how your document will look with the settings you have entered.

15. Create or Close

Click Create to make your new document or Close to close the window without creating a new document.

Once you have filled in the settings, click the Create button to make your new document.

Opening an Existing Document File

To open an existing file, select the Open button from the left menu on the Welcome Screen, or use one of the other available options, such as the top menu bar or key commands. With InDesign open, you can also drag-and-drop your InDesign file onto the Welcome Screen to open it directly.

Once clicked, the Open Window or Open a File window will appear. This window will look like a typical Open a File window used by different operating systems and programs (See Figure 1.7).

Figure 1.7: Windows Open a File image

Navigate the fields in the Open a File window to find the location of your InDesign file on your computer.

Note: When naming and saving your files, it is good practice to use a descriptive name and a chosen location to easily locate them later.

The main file extension for InDesign is .indd, although there are other file extensions that InDesign can open. Your OS may or may not show the file extension, but any file that can be opened in InDesign will be shown and able to be selected.

Once your file is selected, click Open to launch your file in InDesign.

1.2 – The Workspace Overview

The workspace/interface for Adobe InDesign is dynamic and can be customized to fit different configurations. Because of this, it is important to know that most tools, panels, and menu items can change location or be hidden. However, at any time, the workspace can be changed back to the original default setting.

Note: Some of the terminology of the interface elements has changed over time and you might see them named differently in other sources. This is acceptable, as the names might have changed over time, but their function has not.

Much information and many selections are in the application workspace. This book focuses on the basic menus, options, and tools to get you started.

Getting Started

Once a new document is created or an existing file is opened, InDesign will open with the document in the center area of the screen. This is your workspace. It consists of groups of menus, tools, and panels and is fully customizable. This workspace group is also referred to as the Application Frame. For this book, we will continue calling it the workspace.

Note: InDesign looks slightly different in the Mac and Windows versions, but has the same features and functions. You can accomplish the same tasks regardless of which OS you are using.

One of the differences between the Windows and Mac versions of InDesign is the top Application Menu bar. In the Windows version, it is included within the workspace group and moves or resizes along with the application frame. In macOS, the top application bar is separated by default and moves independently from the application frame (See Figure 1.8).

Figure 1.8: Windows version showing the connection of the top application bar and Application Frame (top) and Mac version showing the disconnect of the top application bar and Application Frame (bottom).

Workspace Presets

Once a document is created or opened, we now need to change from the current default workspace setting. InDesign opens the Essentials workspace by default. This is a slimmed-down workspace with many of the menus hidden to make it more streamlined for new users. We need some of these hidden items to be revealed for the work on our projects and to match your workspace to the book images and mini tutorials.

InDesign has a list of premade presets available for selection. It also can save a custom workspace that you can configure for future use.

Note: Changing the workspace preset settings changes the active workspace to reveal additional menu options. Because the InDesign Workspace is fully customizable, most of the menus, tools, and panels can be moved or hidden as well.

Note: InDesign is “smart” and remembers your workspace layout from your last session. You can use a premade reset, save preset, reset a workspace to quickly change, or revert to a desired workspace.

BRIEF REVIEW OF TERMS

Application Frame - A grouping of the workspace elements that all move and resize together as one window

The easiest and fastest way to do this is to change from the Essentials workspace to the Typography workspace preset.

In the upper right portion of the current Workspace is a dropdown menu with Essentials and a downward arrow. Click on the dropdown menu, and a list of workspace presets will show. Now select the Typography option (See Figure 1.9).

Figure 1.9: The location of the workspace settings. The location on the right side of the Application menu (left) and the workspace dropdown selections that includes the typography selection (right).

You should now see that the workspace has changed from the initial Essentials to the Typography workspace, with some menu items and panels now appearing or changing (See Figure 1.10).

Figure 1.10: The Essentials workspace (top) and the Typography workspace (bottom)

If at any time a menu, tool, or panel is not showing or is moved, you can always return to the workspace presets and select the Typography preset to reset the workspace. This can be done with any of the premade or saved workspace presets.

The Workspace

Once we have selected the Typography preset, we can take a closer look into the item groups that make up the workspace, as shown in Figure 1.11.

Figure 1.11: Overview of the Typography preset

1.Application Menu Bar (left)

2.Control Panel or Option Tool Bar

3.Tools Panel

4.Document Window

5.Panel Group

6.Status Bar

7.Application Menu Bar (right)

1. Application Menu Bar (left)

Depending on your OS, the Application Menu Bar (left) may or may not be attached to your Workspace/Application Frame. However, most of the menu options remain the same. This menu will include most of the important settings, options, and views you will use when working within InDesign (See Figure 1.12).

Figure 1.12: PC (top) and Mac (bottom) Application Menu Bar

Although this menu will have the same selection across InDesign OS versions, some of the menu items might be located under different selections. For example, the Preferences selection is under Edit for the Windows OS and under InDesign in macOS.

2. Control Panel or Options Tool Bar

The Control Panel will change depending on what tool you have selected from the Tools Panel. With the Selection Tool active, for example, the Control Panel will show settings and options needed for the Selection Tool (See Figure 1.13).

Figure 1.13: The Control Panel shows the settings and options necessary for the Selection Tool.

If we activate the Type Tool, the Control Panel will change to the settings and options required for the Type Tool (See Figure 1.14).

Figure 1.14: The Control Panel changed to the settings required for the Type Tool

3. Tools Panel

The Tools Panel groups most of the tools you will use for your designs. It includes tool settings and adjustments, along with Document Window view options.

Some tool icon buttons have a small triangle in the bottom right corner, which indicates there are more tools stacked within the icon button. To view the additional tools, click on the icon and hold the mouse button to expose a dropdown menu of the additional tools (See Figure 1.15).

Figure 1.15: Click and hold to reveal a dropdown menu of additional tools.

4. Document Window

Your active and opened documents will be displayed in the Document Window. This is where you will do most of your design work on your document (See Figure 1.16).

Figure 1.16: The Document Window

If you have multiple documents open, they will be tabbed in the upper left side of the Document Window. From here, you can quickly switch between your open documents. Click X to close your document (See Figure 1.17).

Figure 1.17: Multiple documents tabbed in the Document Window

Unit measurements are also part of the Document Window. If you right-click on the ruler, you can select new units of measurements. You can adjust the height and width individually or together (See Figure 1.18).

Figure 1.18: You can adjust the unit measurements by right-clicking on the ruler.

5. Panel Group

The Panel Group