Files to Download
| two_trees_brochure.indd |
| 01_intro.docx |
| studio_single_bold_cmyk.jpg |
| tt_pri_logo_enclosed_cmyk_clr.ai |
Getting Started
When you first launch InDesign, you'll see this thing called the start workspace, which gives you quick access to any recently opened documents. You just need to click on any of these files to open it. But in this case, we want to create a new file. So, I could come over here and click the create new button, but instead, I'm going to go to the FILE MENU, choose NEW, and then DOCUMENT
Now, the new document dialogue box has a lot of options, but for right now, the first thing you need to think about is whether this document is going to be primarily for print or screen viewing.
I'll choose print. Next, you want to choose a page size from this area over here on the left. Or you could type your own values in the width and height fields. Note that if you work in inches or centimeters, you can change that in the units menu.
Now, does your document have facing pages? That is, does it have a left-hand and right-hand page like a book or a magazine (or in our case a Yearbook?) If it doesn't, then turn off the facing pages checkbox.
Down at the bottom of this dialogue box you'll see the section for margins. You may need to click the twirly triangle to open it. Now these add margin guides, they're just guidelines. You can ignore them if you want.
Now I'll click create and you'll see that InDesign creates a nice new clean document for me.
Now you could start with an empty InDesign document like the one above if you want, but I find it's usually easier to start with a template, something that's partially created. And then I change the text and graphics as I work - The templates we use that were provided from Friesen's and already have pre-set margins can be located on the InDesign Home Page.
I have provided a template for you to download at the top of the screen - so download that if you haven't already and then head up to the FILE MENU and choose OPEN and then navigate to the saved file location - I recommend your H: Drive. Now this is the template that I'm going to use throughout these lessons to add text and graphics. .
Of course getting your document open is just the first step on the adventure called InDesign. Next, we're going to look at how to get text in there and make it look the way you want.