We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Tim Wilson

Become an InDesign Master.  Learn to Create Eye-Catching Newsletters, Brochures, Reports & Web posts. Learn Graphic Design Skills and Color Theory Using Adobe InDesign.

This is a step-by-step tutorial course in Adobe InDesign. In this course I take you through all the stages from understanding the interface and creating a document from scratch to building professional looking work.

There is 11 .5 hours of high quality content including 9 projects you can use in your portfolio. All the images are provided and come from royalty free sources.

Read more

Become an InDesign Master.  Learn to Create Eye-Catching Newsletters, Brochures, Reports & Web posts. Learn Graphic Design Skills and Color Theory Using Adobe InDesign.

This is a step-by-step tutorial course in Adobe InDesign. In this course I take you through all the stages from understanding the interface and creating a document from scratch to building professional looking work.

There is 11 .5 hours of high quality content including 9 projects you can use in your portfolio. All the images are provided and come from royalty free sources.

In this well-structured course of over 200 lectures, we will be using a wide range of tools to help you create professional and eye-catching document. I will be showing you lots of techniques used by professional graphic designers

All the projects rely on different techniques, so you practice what you have learned but combine these skill with new ones as you build the projects.

We will work with  Text Styles, Graphic Creation Tools, Color Swatches, Parent Pages and many, many more tools besides, to enable you to easily create and edit all kinds of documents.

You will export your work as PDFs, Jpgs, Pngs as well as using the Publish Online feature.

Whether you want to get paid for your InDesign skills, or you're doing this for fun / self-improvement, this course and the projects will help you build confidence and skills to be able to create your own stunning documents.

All the content can be adapted for both print or web.

Music from Pixabay Royalty Free Sound: 

Linsenor's: olexy-25300778

Licensee: JimmiImage

Audio File Title: The Beat of Nature

Audio File ID: 122841

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Learn to create a newsletters, brochures, social media posts, reports, logos and infographics from scratch
  • Create 9 projects you can use in your portfolio. i'll show you step-by-step
  • 11.5 hours and over 200 lectures to help you create exceptional work
  • Understand and build long, multi-page documents
  • Learn color theory and typography
  • Learn graphic design and layout principles
  • Add indesign to your cv
  • Insert pictures and use text flow around images
  • Prepare documents for web, print and social media
  • Resize, crop, rotate and link images
  • Create complex infographics
  • Use video and interactive buttons in your pdf documents
  • Show more
  • Show less

Syllabus

Getting to Know the Interface and Workspace
Introduction to the Interface & Workspace
Tour of Workspace
Resetting the Workspace
Read more

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Covers the creation of newsletters, brochures, social media posts, and infographics, which are essential for marketing and communication roles
Begins with an introduction to the interface and workspace, which is helpful for beginners, and progresses to more advanced techniques
Includes nine portfolio projects, which allows learners to apply their knowledge and demonstrate their skills to potential employers or clients
Explores the use of video and interactive buttons in PDF documents, which can enhance user engagement and create dynamic presentations
Prepares documents for web, print, and social media, which ensures that learners can create content for a variety of platforms and purposes
Explores CMYK vs RGB, custom colors, and gradients, which are essential for creating visually appealing and effective designs

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
Save

Reviews summary

Comprehensive indesign skill development

According to learners, this course provides a largely positive experience for those looking to learn Adobe InDesign. Students especially appreciate the clear explanations provided by the instructor and the practical projects included, which help solidify understanding and build a portfolio. Many found it excellent for beginners, covering the fundamentals in a well-structured manner. While some mention the pace is slow for some, overall, the course is seen as effective for developing skills from the ground up and gaining confidence in using InDesign for various design tasks.
Strong on basics, less on advanced topics.
"Great for getting started, but it doesn't go into super advanced techniques or complex workflows."
"If you're looking for very deep dives into specific advanced features, this might not be enough coverage."
"Covers the essentials thoroughly, preparing you well, but advanced users might need supplementary material."
Starts from scratch, ideal for new users.
"This is the perfect course if you're starting out with InDesign; it assumes no prior knowledge."
"As a complete beginner, I found this course very accessible and not overwhelming."
"Starts from the very basics, which was exactly what I needed to get a solid foundation."
"Highly recommend for anyone who has never used InDesign before."
Hands-on projects build portfolio skills.
"The projects are great for practicing what you learn and building a portfolio of work."
"I loved working through the practical examples provided; they made the learning concrete."
"Learning by doing through the projects made a big difference in my understanding and retention."
"The assignments were very relevant and helped apply the techniques taught."
Instructor explains concepts clearly.
"The instructor's explanations are incredibly clear and easy to follow, making complex tools understandable."
"I found the way concepts were explained very easy to follow, even for someone new to design software."
"He breaks down complex tasks simply, which is crucial when you're learning a new program like InDesign."
"Everything is explained step-by-step, making it very accessible."
Some find the pace a bit slow.
"The pace is quite slow at times, especially in the earlier sections, which can be a bit tedious if you grasp things quickly."
"Sometimes I felt the instructor spent too long on simple steps that I already understood."
"Could move a bit faster through some of the earlier sections, but the detailed approach helps beginners."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Adobe InDesign - From Basics to Professional Level Designs with these activities:
Review Graphic Design Principles
Reinforce your understanding of graphic design principles, including layout, typography, and color theory, to better utilize InDesign's features for creating visually appealing documents.
Show steps
  • Review basic design concepts like balance, contrast, and hierarchy.
  • Study examples of effective and ineffective layouts.
  • Practice applying design principles to simple mockups.
Read 'Adobe InDesign Classroom in a Book'
Deepen your understanding of InDesign's features and capabilities by working through the exercises and projects in this book.
Show steps
  • Work through the book's lessons, completing the exercises.
  • Experiment with different features and techniques.
  • Apply what you've learned to your own projects.
Read 'The Non-Designer's Design Book'
Learn fundamental design principles to enhance your InDesign projects and create visually appealing layouts.
View Presentation Book on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the book, focusing on the core principles of design.
  • Identify examples of these principles in existing designs.
  • Apply these principles to your InDesign projects.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Recreate Existing Designs
Improve your InDesign skills by replicating existing designs, focusing on precise layout, typography, and image placement.
Show steps
  • Select a brochure, newsletter, or social media post.
  • Analyze the layout, typography, and color scheme.
  • Recreate the design in InDesign, paying attention to detail.
Design a Newsletter Template
Solidify your understanding of InDesign by creating a reusable newsletter template, incorporating text styles, parent pages, and graphic elements.
Show steps
  • Plan the layout and content sections of the newsletter.
  • Create parent pages for consistent headers and footers.
  • Define paragraph and character styles for text consistency.
  • Add placeholder content and images.
Design a Multi-Page Report
Apply your InDesign skills to create a comprehensive multi-page report, focusing on document structure, text flow, and visual hierarchy.
Show steps
  • Outline the report's structure and content.
  • Create a master template with consistent styles and layouts.
  • Import and format text and images.
  • Add page numbers, headers, and footers.
  • Export the report as a PDF for print and digital distribution.
Create an Interactive PDF
Extend your InDesign skills by creating an interactive PDF with buttons, hyperlinks, and multimedia elements.
Show steps
  • Design a document with interactive elements in mind.
  • Add buttons and hyperlinks to navigate between pages.
  • Embed video and audio files.
  • Test the interactivity and export as an interactive PDF.

Career center

Learners who complete Adobe InDesign - From Basics to Professional Level Designs will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Desktop Publisher
A Desktop Publisher uses computer software to create layouts for printed materials, such as books, magazines, and brochures. This Adobe InDesign course directly prepares individuals for a career as a Desktop Publisher. The course covers all the essential aspects of desktop publishing, from understanding the interface to building professional-looking documents. The structured modules cover text styles, graphic creation tools, and parent pages, all critical for creating and editing documents. The course enables Desktop Publishers to confidently use InDesign to create stunning documents for print or web. The numerous projects provide hands-on experience and a portfolio to showcase skills.
Graphic Designer
A Graphic Designer crafts visual concepts that communicate ideas, inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. This Adobe InDesign course helps build a foundation for this career. Learning to create newsletters, brochures, social media posts, and reports directly aligns with the daily tasks of a graphic designer. The course's emphasis on graphic design and layout principles, color theory, and typography are crucial for creating visually appealing and effective designs. The practical projects, such as creating a newsletter and a brochure, provide hands-on experience that can be showcased in a portfolio. The course's coverage of exporting documents for web, print, and social media ensures that a graphic designer can deliver designs optimized for various platforms.
Freelance Designer
A Freelance Designer works independently, providing design services to various clients on a project basis. This Adobe InDesign course helps Freelance Designers broaden their skill set and attract more clients. Learning to create newsletters, brochures, and reports allows a freelance designer to offer a wider range of services. Proficiency in graphic design and layout principles, color theory, and typography is essential for creating high-quality designs. The various projects, such as designing a newsletter and a brochure, provide practical skills and portfolio pieces. The ability to export work in various formats is also essential for delivering content across different platforms.
Content Creator
A Content Creator is responsible for generating engaging and informative content for online platforms. This Adobe InDesign course can help enhance the visual aspects of their content. The ability to create eye-catching newsletters, brochures, and social media posts directly complements the role of a content creator. The course's emphasis on graphic design and layout principles, as well as color theory, ensures that the content created is visually appealing and effectively communicates the message. The various projects, such as designing a newsletter and a brochure, provide practical skills that can be immediately applied to content creation tasks. The ability to export work in various formats is also essential for delivering content across different platforms.
Social Media Coordinator
A Social Media Coordinator manages a company's social media presence, creating and scheduling content, and engaging with followers. This Adobe InDesign course helps Social Media Coordinators create visually appealing posts. The course teaches how to create eye-catching social media posts. It also provides the skills to design graphics that capture attention and communicate brand messages effectively. The practical projects, such as creating social media posts, provide hands-on experience. The ability to export work in various formats is essential for delivering content across different platforms.
Technical Writer
A Technical Writer produces documentation, such as instruction manuals, how-to guides, and journal articles, that explain complex information clearly and concisely. This Adobe InDesign course helps enhance the visual appeal and organization of technical documents. Creating reports and documentation with a professional layout directly supports the role of a Technical Writer. The course’s focus on typography helps ensure consistent and readable documents. Learning to insert pictures and wrap text around images allows a Technical Writer to clarify concepts with visual aids. This course improves a Technical Writer's ability to deliver well-structured and visually engaging technical documentation.
Communications Specialist
A Communications Specialist manages the flow of information both internally and externally for an organization. This Adobe InDesign course can help Communications Specialists create visually compelling materials. Learning to design newsletters, reports, and brochures allows a Communications Specialist to effectively convey information to various audiences. The course’s focus on typography helps ensure consistent and professional branding across all communications. By learning to insert pictures and wrap text around images, the Communications Specialist can enhance the visual appeal and readability of their materials. The skills taught in this course help a Communications Specialist create polished and engaging content.
Digital Marketing Manager
A Digital Marketing Manager is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing marketing campaigns that promote a company's products and services. This Adobe InDesign course may be useful; it provides skills in creating visual content for digital platforms. The course covers designing newsletters, brochures, and social media posts, which are common components of digital marketing strategies. Knowledge of color theory and typography are valuable for maintaining brand consistency and creating engaging visuals. The course provides a Digital Marketing Manager with the ability to create visually appealing content that aligns with the overall marketing strategy.
Instructional Designer
An Instructional Designer creates learning materials, such as textbooks, presentations, and online courses. This Adobe InDesign course may be useful for designing visually engaging learning resources. The ability to create reports, brochures, and presentations with a professional look is directly applicable to instructional design. The course’s emphasis on layout principles and typography helps ensure that learning materials are both informative and visually appealing. Learning to create infographics allows an instructional designer to present complex information in an easily digestible format. The course provides the skills to deliver high-quality, visually enhanced learning experiences.
Brand Manager
A Brand Manager oversees all aspects of a brand’s marketing efforts to ensure brand consistency and recognition. This Adobe InDesign course may be useful for Brand Managers who want to create visual assets. The course covers designing newsletters, social media posts, and reports, which can be used to promote and maintain brand identity. Focus on color theory and typography helps ensure that marketing materials are visually aligned with the brand. This course enables Brand Managers to create visually appealing content that reinforces the brand’s message and identity.
Print Production Coordinator
A Print Production Coordinator manages the process of producing printed materials, from initial design to final delivery. This Adobe InDesign course may be useful for Print Production Coordinators. The course covers preparing documents for print and web. This ensures that the final printed products meet the required quality standards. An understanding of bleeds, printer marks, and color management is crucial for this role. This course improves a Print Production Coordinator’s ability to manage the print production process and ensures high-quality output.
Marketing Specialist
A Marketing Specialist implements marketing campaigns and strategies to promote a company's products or services. This Adobe InDesign course may be helpful for marketing specialists who need to design marketing materials. The course teaches how to create visually engaging newsletters, brochures, and social media posts, all essential tools for marketing campaigns. The course's focus on color theory and typography helps ensure that marketing materials are not only visually appealing but also effectively communicate the brand's message. Being able to export work in various formats prepares the marketing specialist to deliver content across different channels. The ability to design logos is also valuable for branding efforts.
Web Designer
A Web Designer plans, creates, and codes internet sites and web pages, many of which combine text with sounds, pictures, graphics, and video clips. This Adobe InDesign course may be useful. The course covers creating web posts and preparing documents for the web. It also provides knowledge of graphic design and layout principles to create visually appealing web content. Web Designers often need to create visually appealing graphics and layouts, and this course provides a foundation in these areas. It also covers how to export work as JPEGs and PNGs, which are common formats for web images. The course provides a range of tools to create and edit documents, which can be applied to web design projects.
Logo Designer
A Logo Designer specializes in creating visual symbols that represent a brand's identity. This Adobe InDesign course may be useful for aspiring Logo Designers. While Adobe Illustrator is typically preferred, the course teaches how to create logos from scratch which is valuable for understanding design principles. The focus on graphic design and layout principles, as well as color theory, helps ensure that the logos are visually appealing and effective. This course may help build a foundation in design and provides practical skills that can be applied to logo design projects, particularly in the initial conceptualization and layout stages.
Exhibition Designer
An Exhibition Designer creates visually engaging displays for museums, trade shows, and other events. This Adobe InDesign course may be useful for Exhibition Designers who need to create supporting graphics. The ability to design brochures, posters, and informational panels enhances the overall visitor experience. The course’s focus on layout principles helps ensure that displays are visually balanced and easy to navigate. Learning to insert pictures and wrap text around images allows an Exhibition Designer to create compelling and informative graphics. The skills taught in this course help an Exhibition Designer create visually appealing and engaging exhibition materials.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Adobe InDesign - From Basics to Professional Level Designs.
Provides a clear and accessible introduction to the fundamental principles of design. It covers topics like proximity, alignment, repetition, and contrast, which are essential for creating professional-looking documents in InDesign. It's particularly helpful for those without a formal design background, offering practical tips and examples to improve visual communication skills. This book is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions.
Comprehensive guide to Adobe InDesign, covering a wide range of features and techniques. It provides step-by-step instructions and hands-on projects to help you master the software. It's a valuable resource for both beginners and experienced users, offering in-depth explanations and practical examples. This book is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Similar courses are unavailable at this time. Please try again later.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser