# InDesign in a Day

Canonical URL: <https://training.sdfm.org/courses/indesign-1day>

## Overview

Discover how to design pages with text and graphics. In no time, you’ll be able to manage typography, insert photos, create and use colors, and more!

This 6-hour class will get you up to speed with the essentials quickly. It’s perfect for those who use InDesign occasionally and have just one day (or two evenings) to spare.

## What you'll learn

- Create layouts with text, color, and graphics
- Import and style text and graphics
- Create and apply color schemes
- Create a brochure and two-page magazine ad
- Prepare files for final output, including printing and PDFs

## Curriculum

### Section 1

#### Business Card: Setting Up a File & Adding the Logo

- Setting Default Preferences
- Setting Up a File
- Importing & Sizing a Vector Graphic (the Logo)

#### Business Card: Adding Text

- Creating Text Frames
- Basic Text Styling
- Loading Adobe Fonts

#### Business Card: Colors

- Removing the Default Color Swatches
- Creating & Editing Color Swatches
- Swapping Out Graphics

#### Business Card: Adding a 2nd Page (the Back) with QR Code

- Creating the Back of the Business Card (a Second Page)
- Creating QR Codes
- Navigating Documents (Zooming and Panning)
- Copying Appearance With the Eyedropper Tool

#### Business Card: OpenType Settings

- Setting up a Document Bleed
- Placing Images
- Combining Text & Images
- White Type on a Black Background

### Section 2

#### Brochure: Creating 2-Page Spreads & Cropping Photos

- Setting Up Spreads (Facing Pages)
- Importing Pixel-Based Photos
- Cropping & Scaling Photos
- Checking Image Resolution to Ensure Good Print Quality

#### Brochure: Layers, Visual Effects, & Blending Modes

- Creating & Locking Layers
- Rotating Objects
- Drop Shadows
- Gradient Feather
- Blending Modes

#### Brochure: Fine-Tuning Type: Kerning/Tracking & More

- Paragraph Spacing
- Working in Picas (Instead of Inches)
- Metrics vs. Optical Kerning
- Kerning vs. Tracking
- Variable Fonts

#### Brochure: Working with Tabbed Text

- Setting Tab Marker Positions
- Adding & Styling Leader Characters

#### Preparing for Professional Printing: PDFs & Packaging Files

- Exporting PDFs for printing or emailing to clients
- Packaging InDesign Files

## Schedule
- Jun 29, 2026 10:00am–5:00pm — Live Online
- Jul 21, 2026 – Jul 23, 2026 — Live Online
- Jul 27, 2026 10:00am–5:00pm — Live Online
- Sep 8, 2026 10:00am–5:00pm — Live Online
- Sep 9, 2026 – Sep 14, 2026 — Live Online
- Sep 27, 2026 10:00am–5:00pm — Live Online

## Pricing

**Tuition:** $425