Catalog Description

The fundamentals of using digital layout as a primary publishing tool and the basic concepts and terminology associated with typography and page layout. Topics include an overview of industry standard software for page layout and design, and various methods of reproduction for print and electronic delivery. An introduction to InDesign and other tools and skills used to prepare electronic pre-press art for print reproduction with a goal of economy, neatness and faithfulness to the designer’s layout or written instructions. Material covered will include graphic terminology, type specification, and evolution of the printed piece from concept to final printed project. 

Course Rationale / Objectives

Digital Publishing 1 is a foundation course that teaches production skills used by graphic designers. It is a prerequisite for ARTC 1427 Typography and ARTC 2413 Digital Publishing 2. It is a required course in the Graphic Design and Graphic Media Production degree plans.

Course Prerequisites

None

Textbook

Adobe InDesign CC 2020 Release, Classroom in a Book, the Official training workbook from Adobe, Kelly Kordes Anton & Tina DeJarld, ISBN-13: 978-0-13-650267-8

Required Online Resources

An Adobe Creative Cloud subscription (https://www.austincc.edu/adobe-creative-cloud-acc) — to access the software in the labs and for your own use.

Google Drive and Blackboard

All students at ACC have access to Google Drive. This is an excellent alternative to for backing up you work that could be accessible from any location. Google Drive is not fail safe. As with USB drives, be sure to download work at your computer for editing. Do not work on-line. You may also share your work with your instructor which could be an alternative to Blackboard uploads. Please verify usage with your instructor.

Week 1

• Setup Blackboard

• CIB Lesson 1 - Introducing the Workspace

Week 2

• CIB Lesson 2 - Getting to Know InDesign

• On Your Own Project #1: Create a Postcard

Week 3

• CIB Lesson 3 - Setting up a Doucment and Working with Pages

• CIB Lesson 5 - How to Flow Tex

Week 4

• On Your Own Project #2: Two Page Newsletter

• On Your Own Project #2: Two Page Newsletter

Week 5

• CIB Lesson 7 - Working with Typography

• On Your Own Project #3: Tabs

Week 6

• Competency 1 Major Project Review: Two Page Newsletter

• Competency 1 Quiz

Week 7

• CIB Lesson 4 - Working with Objects

• CIB Lesson 6 - Editing Text

Week 8

• On Your Own Project #4: Working with Objects and Editing Text

• On Your Own Project #4: Working with Objects and Editing Text

Week 9

• CIB Lesson 8 - Working with Color and CIB Lesson 11 - Creating Tables

• CIB Lesson 13 - Printing and Exporting

Week 10

• On Your Own Project #5: Personal Color Swatch Guide

• On Your Own Project #5: Personal Color Swatch Guide

Week 11

• Competency 2 Major Project Review: Cookie Recipes

• Competency 2 Quiz

Week 12

• CIB Lesson 9 - Working with Styles

• On Your Own Project #6: Working with Styles

Week 13

• CIB Lesson 10 - Importing and Modifying Graphs

• On Your Own Project #7: Menu

Week 14

• On Your Own Project #7: Menu

• CIB Lesson 12 - Working with Transparency 

Week 15

• On Your Own Project #8: Working with Transparency, Tints and Tables

• On Your Own Project #8: Working with Transparency, Tints and Tables

Week 16

• Comptecency 3 Major Project Review: National Parks Service

• Competency 3 Quiz

What you’ll learn to do by the end of this course: 

• Apply fundamentals of page layout

• Use typographic terminology and specifications

• Practice importing text and graphics into page layout programs

• Discuss file formats and file management.

• Integrate tools and techniques analyzing elements to produce final product

• Interpret art director’s instructions

• Communicate with industry specialists

• Apply real world production skills used by graphic designers and production personnel

• Appraise basic design problems related to advertising art

• Differentiate CMYK and spot color in single and multicolored reproduction

• Develop discipline in neatness, presentation, and accuracy of work

• Define the terms and language of page layout and design.

What you’ll learn to do by the end of the program: 

• Use industry standard vector, raster and layout software tools to produce graphic design for print and digital media. 

• Apply the production process (define project parameters, prepare assets, produce design, prepare output) for print and digital media 

• Independently produce graphic design work to project specifications