DESIGN X496
Adobe InDesign is a powerful desktop publishing and typesetting tool. You will explore the essentials of InDesign, including its unique typographic and graphic capabilities, while learning shortcuts and tips to efficiently use the program in your design work by learning how to do document setup: Single vs. facing pages, margins, guides, columns, creating a layout grid. It is essential to getting to know the work area in InDesign so you can navigate easily going forward, this includes changing magnification, panels and creating a custom workspace. You'll explore the overall process involved in producing a layout by typing, importing text and graphics, and working with master pages and understanding fonts and font formats.
When it comes to graphics you’ll learn: Vector vs. bitmap graphics, file formats and image resolution, linked vs. embedded graphics, display resolution and integration with text as well as placing graphics, sizing and fitting graphics, manipulation and integration of text with images (text wrap). Color principles, color spaces, creating and saving colors, process, spot colors (Pantone Matching System) and tints. Using the paragraph, character, control and properties panels, placing and threading text, formatting text and many more essential tools and skills that are needed to make multipage documents.
Through studio projects, students will explore the possibilities and limitations of print or digital publishing, and its many platforms. The objective is to develop several real-world projects for your final portfolio.
Get a glimpse of what our former student Yuya Sano designed for this Adobe InDesign class.
Course Objectives
UC Berkeley Extension designs the best possible online learning experience for you with an exceptional Adobe InDesign syllabus to prepare you with the skills needed and a quality portfolio to become a confident design professional.
What You’ll Learn
Class will be taught as hands-on, step-by-step exercises led by the instructor, supplemented with instructor demonstrations of more advanced features. There will be weekly assignments to be completed outside of class.
How You’ll Learn
We are online! All of the design classes are conducted remotely including: video classes, mentor-led learning and peer-to-peer support through our student online platform called Canvas.
Is This Course Right for You?
This course is ideal for print and digital designers who want to become more proficient in a page-layout program that is widely used in the graphics industry. Our experienced instructor provides practical Information in Adobe InDesign skills and monitors your development along with peer-to-peer support on our student online platform.
Other classes to be considered: Typography Fundamentals, Illustrator, Photoshop
Fall 2025 enrollment opens on June 16!