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Adobe InDesign CC Complete Masterclass: Learn Adobe InDesign

The Complete Guide to Adobe InDesign Creative Cloud: Design a Poster, Lookbook, Annual Report, and More!

Created byChad Neuman, Ph.D.

Last updated 4/2020

English

What you'll learn

You will benefit from over 13 hours of helpful video lessons, informative handouts and lifetime access to current and any future projects.
You will master Adobe InDesign, the industry-standard graphic design and publication software.
You will professionally design and produce a lookbook in Adobe InDesign.
You will professionally design and produce a poster in Adobe InDesign.
You will professionally design and produce an annual report in Adobe InDesign.
You will effectively place and edit text, images, and illustrations in Adobe InDesign.
You will formulate and apply color schemes by using a variety of methods.
You will learn how to use spot colors, process colors, and the context for both.
You will design, format, edit, and copy tables in Adobe InDesign.
You will use Photoshop and InDesign together seamlessly, to adjust layer comps, layer visibility, and other settings of placed PSD files in InDesign.
You will use Illustrator and InDesign together seamlessly, to produce patterns and place illustrations.
You will apply preflighting and printing techniques and principles for professional results.

Course content

16 sections • 125 lectures • 13h 11m total length

Introduction to the Course3:05
Welcome to the Complete Adobe InDesign CC Online Course! In this introduction, we review the course learning objectives and the projects that you will work on. By completing this course, students become masters at Adobe InDesign Creative Cloud.
Using the Support Files3:43
In this video, we go over how to download and implement the support files for this Adobe InDesign online course.
How to Get Adobe InDesign1:16
I explain how to get Adobe InDesign, in order to follow along in the course.
Versions of Creative Cloud and Mac vs. PC3:50
In this short demonstration, I explain how Adobe does update Creative Cloud but that most of the tools and functions have not changed much in the past few versions. I also explain the two primary differences between the Mac and PC in Adobe InDesign.
Setting Up the Workspace and a Quick Win13:31
In this lesson, we get started designing a poster in Adobe InDesign, after going over how to set up the workspace.
Join Our Facebook Group and Community for Design Feedback and Critique!0:18
Join our Facebook group and community to get feedback from me and others!

Introduction to the Poster Project1:21
We review the following sections, as we design and produce a poster in Adobe InDesign CC in order to learn about guides, graphics, text frames, objects, frames, paths, and more.
Adding and Editing Ruler Guides for Effective Alignment in InDesign4:44
Adobe InDesign's ruler guides are helpful for aligning photos, illustrations, text frames, and other elements in designs. Combined with the snap function, we can use guides to snap objects to lines, so that elements are aligned in designs. Alignment is a primary design principle in graphic design, and aligning columns, photos, and shapes in layouts can be aesthetically pleasing.
Adding Text Frames and Selecting Text in InDesign6:20
While we go over more advanced text formatting methods in the next project, the lookbook, in this poster project, we introduce the method of adding text frames and text selection techniques. InDesign is known for effective text threading and advanced text layouts, and we will be applying these techniques throughout this course. In this video lesson, we place a short document for the poster project and practice some selection techniques.
Applying Basic Character Formatting in InDesign6:28
In this video, we apply basic character formatting to the text we previously placed in the poster. There are different ways to format text in InDesign, including using the Character Panel, the Control Panel shortcuts, and so on.
Placing Graphics Effectively in InDesign9:56
Learn how to place images effectively in Adobe InDesign. In this video, I demonstrate how to place various types of images in InDesign and how to adjust them in InDesign. Various considerations and keyboard shortcuts are included.
Cropping and Fitting Graphics in InDesign7:23
Adobe InDesign is able to crop and fit images in their image frames in a variety of ways. In fact, we can place images into shapes such as rectangles or even custom shapes and then move those images around within the frames and also adjust the points and paths of the frames, to adjust their shape. There are a number of preset fitting options, so images will fit by cropping or resizing within the frame or adjusting the frame to fit the photo.
Strokes and Fills in InDesign5:49
Adobe InDesign, like Adobe Illustrator, can add strokes (or borders of shapes, but it's more precise to say stroke because it's the style of the path, and simple lines don't have "borders" per se). InDesign can also add fills, just like Illustrator. This video covers the various considerations and methods of applying strokes and fills to shapes and paths in InDesign.
Resizing and Editing Graphics in InDesign7:11
While it is best practice to resize images in Adobe Photoshop, we can resize images to be smaller even after being placed in Adobe InDesign, by using keyboard shortcuts as we click and drag. But there are many other ways to resize and adjust (such as rotate, etc.) images in InDesign, using the Control Panel and other options, and we go over that in this video.
Using the Adobe InDesign Links Panel5:02
The Links Panel in Adobe InDesign allows us to see which linked images are placed throughout the design and if any are modified or missing. We can relink and update links using the Links Panel.

Adding Shapes and Arranging Objects in InDesign9:46
While the Shape Tools are not as varied as those in Adobe Illustrator, the Shape Tools in Adobe InDesign are useful for not only designing shapes for use in layouts but also as image frames. It is important to know how to arrange objects on the page as well, including shapes but also images and text frames. We can use the menu or use keyboard shortcuts to move objects above or below other objects.
Adding and Adjusting Layers in InDesign4:51
While we might think of Photoshop when we talk about layers, the Layers Panel in Adobe InDesign is also useful. We can select objects that are underneath other objects on the page and not easily clickable by using the Layers Panel, and we can also group objects by layer, for better organization.
Aligning and Distributing Objects in InDesign3:40
We can align and distribute objects evenly on the page in InDesign, which helps apply the design principles of alignment and consistent proximity.
Duplicating and Grouping Objects in InDesign3:56
There are InDesign workflows to duplicate and group objects on the page, which helps save time with keyboard shortcuts.
Rotating and Transforming Objects in InDesign5:28
We can use specific techniques to rotate and transform objects in Adobe InDesign, whether the objects are placed images, illustrations, shapes, or text frames.
Inline or Anchored Objects in InDesign3:52
We often place images and they are in their own image frame, but we can also add images to be inline in a text frame or anchored to an area as well. Then, the object moves along with the rest of the text if text is added above it, for example.
Customizing Corners in InDesign1:57
Add styles to corners of shapes or image frames in InDesign such as rounded corners.
Using Object Styles for Consistency in InDesign5:25
Just like paragraph styles and character styles for text, we can use object styles for objects, in order to save and apply attributes of objects in Adobe InDesign.
Final Touches and Exporting Poster to PDF in InDesign8:20
In this video, we put some final touches on the poster project and export the project in Adobe InDesign.

Introduction to the Lookbook Project1:48
In this video, we go over the lookbook project in this Adobe InDesign Complete Course. In this specific section, we will go over how to manage pages and master pages in InDesign. Then in the following sections of this project, we will go over how to import and format text, more editing techniques and effects, adding and editing styles and automated edits, color and effects, and adding interactivity and printing/exporting.
Managing Pages in InDesign3:47
In this video, students learn how to manage pages in Adobe InDesign.
Adding and Adjusting Master Pages in InDesign10:04
In this video follow-along tutorial, we add and adjust master pages and their settings, apply settings to pages, and add multiple master pages.
Variable Paper Size in Documents in InDesign2:09
Learn how to use variable paper size in documents in Adobe InDesign.
Adjusting Columns in InDesign1:50
Learn how to adjust columns in Adobe InDesign and various considerations.

Placing and Threading Text in InDesign6:01
Place and thread text in InDesign, manage overset text by flowing content across columns, align and resize text frames, and use guides to ensure clean editorial layouts.
Formatting Paragraphs in InDesign4:14
Format paragraphs in InDesign using paragraph controls to set alignment, indents, spacing, and first-line indentation, and control hyphenation and tracking via the paragraph panel.
Character Formatting in InDesign7:28
Explore character formatting in InDesign, adjusting kerning and tracking, font size and style, and applying drop caps, underline options, and optical vs metrics spacing for polished editorial design.
Adjusting Text Frame Attributes in InDesign6:02
Adjust text frames in InDesign by configuring columns, gutters, and alignment. Enable auto size and fit frame to content, and thread text across multiple pages for seamless lookbook layouts.
Spanning and Splitting Text in InDesign4:48
Learn how to span text across two columns within a single text frame and split a column into multiple columns using InDesign cc, adjusting gutter and spacing.
Adding and Adjusting Text Wraps in InDesign5:56
Place an image and apply text wrap to flow text around the photo or shape in InDesign, using bounding box, object, or shape wrap options and adjusting spacing for readability.
Type on a Path in InDesign4:31
learn to type on a path in Adobe InDesign by drawing a shape with the pen tool, applying the type on a path tool, and adjusting text with anchor points.
Inserting Special Characters in InDesign4:09
Learn to insert special characters and symbols in InDesign, including trademark and copyright symbols, hyphens, m dashes, and glyphs, using menu options, shortcuts, and the glyphs panel.

Paragraph Shading for Background Color in InDesign2:42
Add a background to a paragraph in InDesign with paragraph shading. Adjust offset, tint, and presets, and ensure the shading stays with the text when you press enter.
Paragraph Borders in InDesign8:21
Learn how paragraph borders in InDesign move with text, configure borders and shading with offsets and corners, and why a separate rectangle often works better for long stories.
Custom Paragraph Lines or Rules in InDesign1:34
Learn to apply paragraph rules in InDesign, customize weight and color, and align the line with the text or its frame so it stays with the title.
Converting to Outlined Text in InDesign2:42
Convert text to outlines in InDesign to turn text into editable shapes with paths and points, allowing image placement and customization of large title graphics.
Using Custom Tab Stops for Table of Contents in InDesign2:40
Learn to create a clean table of contents in InDesign by setting custom tab stops, inserting dot leaders, and choosing left, center, or decimal alignment.
Bulleted and Numbered Lists for Organization in InDesign5:26
Learn to organize content with bullets and numbers in InDesign, customize bullet symbols, adjust indents, and manage both unordered and ordered lists with numbering, levels, and formatting options.

Adding and Applying Paragraph Styles for Consistency and Efficiency in InDesign6:35
Learn to create and apply paragraph styles in InDesign to ensure consistent body copy and headlines, and update multiple paragraphs by editing a single style.
Adding and Applying Character Styles in InDesign3:52
Master creating and applying character styles in InDesign to format words or sentences, modify color and underline, and redefine or break links, then save to Creative Cloud libraries.
Using Story Editor for Easy Edits in InDesign2:37
Learn to edit text in InDesign using the story editor, a word-processor style tool, and customize font, size, color, anti aliasing, cursor, and monitor overset text.
Finding and Replacing Characters, Formatting, and Fonts in InDesign4:20
Learn to use the fine change command to find and replace text, punctuation, spacing, and fonts across a document or stories, including case sensitivity, master pages, and styles.
Checking Spelling Effectively in InDesign4:38
Learn to use InDesign as a layer of spell check to find misspellings, skip or add words to the dictionary, and set language dictionaries for multilingual text.

Adding Effects to Objects in InDesign5:00
Apply built-in InDesign effects to objects, adjusting opacity, adding shadows, glows, and feathered edges, and using layer blending modes like multiply or screen to enhance readability.
Using Color Swatches and CC Color Library in InDesign8:50
Explore color swatches and CC libraries in InDesign to manage print-ready colors, using process and spot colors (Pantone), saving and loading swatches, and ensuring consistency across print and screen.
Other Ways to Add Color in InDesign5:48
Explore methods to derive colors from photos and apply color themes in InDesign using the eyedropper tool, color theme tool, swatches, and Adobe color.
Adding Gradients Effectively in InDesign6:30
Learn how to apply and customize gradients in InDesign, including linear and radial types, adjusting stops, angle, midpoint, and color swatches to create subtle, brand-aligned visuals.

Adding External and Internal Hyperlinks in InDesign5:11
Learn to add internal and external hyperlinks in InDesign CC to navigate pages, images, or websites, and export interactive pdfs for online publications.
Adding Interactive Buttons in InDesign9:20
Learn to add interactive navigation in InDesign by creating bottom page buttons, converting shapes to buttons, and assigning next and previous page actions for an interactive pdf.
Publishing on the Web with Animation and Video in InDesign6:49
Publish InDesign documents online with animation and video, sharing interactive lookbooks as epub or online publications, testing on devices, and tracking views with analytics.
InDesign Printing Best Practices3:41
Configure the print dialog, select an inkjet printer, and specify a page range for your InDesign documents. Use scale to fit for proofs, view thumbnails, and enable marks and bleeds.
InDesign Exporting PDF Best Practices5:21
Export as Adobe PDF print with pages or spreads, bookmarks, and hyperlinks, and optimize for print or web using presets like X1A.
Packaging Files for the Printer in InDesign6:44
learn how to package InDesign files for printers by including the InDesign file, fonts, and placed graphics, plus a pdf, while checking links and overset text to ensure clean delivery.
Techniques for the Lookbook Example Project15:26
Master lookbook design in InDesign by applying consistent branding, alignment, proximity, color, and spacing; learn techniques for a portfolio-ready publication with frames, transparency, and gradients.

Introduction to the Annual Report Project1:37
Master the annual report design by learning to design and adjust tables, integrate Illustrator and Photoshop workflows in InDesign, and apply advanced color, swatch, and preflight printing techniques.
Adding Tables in InDesign7:31
Learn to add and place tables in InDesign, import spreadsheet data with show import options, convert text to tables, and apply headers, footers, borders, and table styles.
Positioning Tables in InDesign6:06
Position and center tables in InDesign inside a text frame using edge alignment, snap to guides, and table options for spacing.
Adding a Border to Tables and Frames in InDesign4:54
Add borders to tables in InDesign and customize their width, color, and gaps. Manage border behavior with options like preserve local formatting, overprinting, and frame size.
Adding Rounded Rectangle Corners to Tables in InDesign5:55
Learn to add rounded rectangle edges to tables in InDesign using table options, corner settings, and practical workarounds to match the table border.
Adjusting Rows and Columns in InDesign8:10
Learn to adjust rows and columns in InDesign tables, resize and distribute columns evenly, select rows efficiently with shortcuts, and use table options and control panel to customize layout.
How to Merge and Split Table Cells in InDesign4:50
merge and split table cells in InDesign by selecting specific cells; merging adds a return and uses left or top formatting, while splitting creates new aligned cells.
Inserting, Deleting, and Moving Table Rows and Columns in InDesign8:45
Learn to insert, delete, and move table rows and columns in InDesign using table options and shortcuts. Merge cells, resize by dragging edges, and manage copy paste with merged content.
Adding and Editing Header and Footer Rows in InDesign3:27
Convert top rows to header and bottom rows to footer in a multi-page InDesign table, then edit once to propagate changes across the entire table.
Adding Alternating Strokes or Fills in Rows and Columns in InDesign9:55
Apply alternating row and column strokes and fills in InDesign tables, control patterns with table setup, adjust colors and tint, and manage headers, footers, and stroke drawing order.
Formatting Table Cells in InDesign9:56
Learn how to format table cells in InDesign by adjusting cell options, strokes, fills, insets, vertical justification, and rows/columns settings for precise layouts.
Cell Text Rotation in InDesign9:21
Rotate text in InDesign tables using 90-degree and custom angles, adjust alignment and overset text, convert rows to body, and manage text frames for precise table layouts.
Using Diagonal Lines in Cells in InDesign Tables1:59
Learn to apply diagonal lines to InDesign table cells using table cell options, choosing top-left to bottom-right, top-right to bottom-left, or crossing diagonals, plus color and gaps.
Placing and Adjusting Graphics in Cells in InDesign12:29
Learn how to place and adjust graphics in InDesign tables by converting cells to graphic cells, using replace selected item, fit options, insets, clip contents, and anchored inline images.
Designing Custom Shapes for Graphic Frames in InDesign12:21
Learn to convert graphic frames to custom shapes in adobe indesign, using shape tools, anchor points, and pathfinder to create and place images in bespoke frames.
Using Gradients in Cells in InDesign11:29
Learn to create and apply gradients in InDesign tables, using gradient swatches, applying to cells, rows, columns, or entire tables, and manage table borders and alternating fills.
Adding Table and Cell Styles in InDesign13:51
Learn to create and apply table styles and cell styles in InDesign to format multiple tables efficiently. Manage overrides, set header and footer, and apply paragraph styles within cells.
Saving, Reusing, and Sharing Table and Cell Styles in InDesign5:43
Save, load, and reuse table and cell styles in InDesign by loading styles from another document, copying styles, exporting as a snippet, or adding to a library for team sharing.

Requirements

Students should have access to Adobe InDesign, preferably Creative Cloud, to follow along. Earlier versions are similar but slightly different for some tools or options. Most of the content is also applicable to earlier versions (such as CS6 or earlier CC). CS6 does not have paragraph shading or borders, for example.
To follow along in two specific sections about using Photoshop and Illustrator with InDesign, you will need access to those programs, as well (part of the Annual Report Project).

Description

Are you new to Adobe InDesign, or have you used it for a while but have wondered what certain tools and functions do? Well, you've come to the right course. In this complete guide to InDesign CC, you will learn everything you need to know about the world's industry-standard graphic design and publication software.

Instead of listing the tools and techniques in a list and going through them devoid of a context or project, I cover all the tools and techniques comprehensively, but in the context of projects. So, you will learn by designing a poster for a local business, a lookbook for a ski resort, and an annual report for a camera company.

By the time you have completed this course, you will have mastered InDesign! And you will have projects to add to your portfolio.

Besides the essentials and fundamentals of InDesign, such as placing and editing images, threading and formatting text, and using master pages, you will also learn more advanced topics, including advanced color and the preflighting/printing process.

In fact, this course contains a complete guide to tables in InDesign as well as the complete guide to color in InDesign. You will also learn how to use both Photoshop and Illustrator with InDesign, in their own special sections. Adobe has made these programs so compatible, they work seamlessly together.

I'm Chad, and I'm a graphic designer and full-time university professor. I've worked as internet development director at an award-winning advertising design firm, webmaster and advertising designer at a regional newspaper, and managing editor of two graphic design magazines. Whether it was laying out a newsletter for a client while working at an ad design firm, or laying out advertisements and using CMYK plates at a newspaper, having this professional experience has enabled me to relate these InDesign video lessons to real-world applications.

For example, when we go over everything about adding and applying swatches, you learn when we would use spot colors vs. process colors, and I show example brand books and how they communicate their Pantone, CMYK, RGB, and Hex colors for graphic designers, and of course, how to apply those in InDesign.

I have also taught InDesign for the past decade as a university professor, teaching classes like Digital Layout and Design as well as Magazine Design and Production. My students have become page designers, creative specialists, and creative directors at newspapers, magazines, and media companies after graduating. Teaching InDesign in-person has enabled me to figure out what teaching methods and exercises are most effective and what areas students have the most questions about.

I love seeing what students come up with after mastering the technical side and using creativity and problem solving to produce amazing designs. Students in my Udemy courses have produced their own books after taking my InDesign courses. I look forward to seeing the work you design and produce in this course! Let me know if you have any questions by posting in the Q&A, or post your linked publications there for feedback.

Who this course is for:

This course is for students new to Adobe InDesign or experienced users who want to learn more in order to design real world projects. No previous InDesign or graphic design experience required.

Adobe InDesign CC Complete Masterclass: Learn Adobe InDesign

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction to the Adobe InDesign Complete Course6 lectures • 26min

Design a Poster Part 1 - Guides, Graphics, and Text Frames in Adobe InDesign9 lectures • 54min

Design a Poster Part 2 - Objects, Frames, and Paths in Adobe InDesign9 lectures • 47min

Design a Lookbook Part 1 - Managing Pages in Adobe InDesign5 lectures • 20min

Design a Lookbook Part 2 - Importing and Formatting Text in InDesign8 lectures • 43min

Design a Lookbook Part 3 - More Editing Techniques and Effects in InDesign6 lectures • 23min

Design a Lookbook Part 4 - Adding and Editing Styles and Automated Edits5 lectures • 22min

Design a Lookbook Part 5 - Color and Effects in InDesign4 lectures • 26min

Design a Lookbook Part 6 - Adding Interactivity and Printing/Exporting7 lectures • 53min

Design an Annual Report Part 1 - Complete Guide to Tables in InDesign18 lectures • 2hr 18min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: