Archived copy for reference only
 

 

Graphic Design / Interactive Design / Fine & Applied Arts / Parkland College

Graphic Design Exercises
InDesign: Charts & Tables

(Archived from 2019)

Objective

To learn InDesign layout and production techniques by recreating this table:

Procedure

prepping for the exercise

  1. download starter files
  2. examine downloaded files
  3. launch InDesign
  4. file > new: letter, facing pages=no, landscape, margins: top/bottom 3p6, left/right 2p6
  5. practice Adobe navigation keyboard shortcuts: space=hand; space+cmd=zoom in; space+cmd+opt=zoom out; cmd+zero=fit in window
  6. practice InDesign preview shortcuts: cmd+opt+I (show/hide hidden characters); W (normal/preview mode)

creating a chart with tables

  1. file > place "chart.doc" (cmd+D); snap text frame to margins
  2. window > paragraph styles: edit "normal" style: 11/14 Helvetica Neue LT Std 55 Roman
  3. replace hyphens with en dashes (add thin space before/after)
  4. cut "intro" and "footer" copy and into separate text frame (temporarily)
  5. select chart info: tables > convert text to table
  6. table > insert > column (before column 1)
  7. table > insert > row (after last row)
  8. table > merge cells (column 1 and last row)
  9. paste "intro" into first column
  10. paste "footer" into last row
  11. adjust column width

styling the table

  1. select cells for chart area
  2. table > cell options > fills & strokes: bottom stroke=1pt
  3. table > cell options > rows & columns: row height=at least 1p7
  4. table > cell options > text: adjust top & bottom insets; left/right insets=0
  5. window > styles > cell styles > new: "classes"
  6. apply style to other cells as needed
  7. make rules for top row 3pt; adjust text insets
  8. style head: 14/16 Helvetica Neue 95 Black, tracking=-20; space after=1p
  9. add your name and exercise number

grading

  1. submit b&w proof with your name and exercise number on it for grading
  2. file your graded proof in your Process Book for individual review

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Last updated: 5/7/21