Archived copy for reference only
 

 

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

Graphic Design Exercises
Menu: Miko

(Archived from 2019)

Objective

To learn the principles of publication design as it applies to menus. To utilize the grid system and InDesign's master pages. To learn Photoshop and InDesign production procedures by example.

 

Discussion

Menus are ususally multi-page publications. When working with multiple pages, each page must relate to the other pages visually. This is best accomplished with a grid system on a master page.

The typography system within a publication must also be consistent. Consistency not only makes publications professional, but the repetition helps unify the whole design. Consistent typography is best accomplished with a style sheet.

Finally, a rhythm should be established so that the sequence of pages has a repetitive pattern. This will help the reader anticipate what's to come (just like in music).

Tip: Print this excellent InDesign keyboard shortcut reference sheet

 

Procedure

retouching in Photoshop

  1. download starter files
  2. examine PDF of finished menu; examine downloaded files
  3. open "dessert-scan.jpg" in photoshop
  4. image > image rotation 180
  5. crop tool: crop & rotate
  6. marquee tool: constrain aspect ratio (7.5 x 11)
  7. make selection; select > transform selection
  8. image > crop
  9. removing "moire" pattern: filter > blur > gaussian blur (smallest amount)
  10. layer > adjustment layer > adjust > levels
  11. layer > adjustment layer > hue/saturation
  12. image > image size: width = 7.5 inches, 150 DPI (bicubic sharper)
  13. filter > convert to smart filters
  14. filter > sharpen > unsharp mask (radius=2, threshold=2)
  15. save as "dessert.psd"
  16. image > mode > CMYK; flatten file
  17. save as "dessert.jpg" (quality=10/maximum)

preparing the cover art

  1. open "cover.jpg" in photoshop
  2. file > place "miko logo.eps"; size, position
  3. layer > add layer styles: color overlay (choose a brown)
  4. rectangle tool: draw box, fill box with a green
  5. new layer "shadow": cmd+click "rectangle" layer
  6. fill layer with black; deselect
  7. filter > blur > gaussian blur
  8. adjust shadow: edit > transform > distort
  9. save as "cover-front.psd"

flowing text in InDesign

  1. file > new: 7.5 x 11 inches; number of pages=3, facing pages=yes, margins: top=2p, bottom=2p, inside=5p, outside=6p; bleeds=1p
  2. save as "menu.indd"
  3. practice Adobe navigation keyboard shortcuts
  4. practice InDesign preview shortcut: W (normal/preview mode)
  5. go to "a-master": delete text frame on left-hand page
  6. go to page 3: file > place "Miko.txt"
  7. shift-click upper left corner of text area (note InDesign creates new pages for you)
  8. type > show/hide hidden characters (cmd+opt+I)
  9. replace two spaces with one space (cmd+F)
  10. after "white wine selections": replace RETURN with RETURN TAB to end of story (cmd+F)
  11. replace "TAB*[asterisks]" with "*[asterisks]TAB"
  12. window > pages: add new blank pages as needed (total of 20)
  13. reflow text: click on "+", shift+click corner of new blank page
  14. make page breaks (refer to PDF) (type > insert > break character > column break or ENTER)

adding leader dots and hanging bullets

  1. select all (cmd+A)
  2. type > tabs (cmd+shift+T): left tab at 1p; right tab at 34p with leader dots (SPACE PERIOD) (hint: click in ruler first)
  3. fine tune leader dots: replace TAB with SPACE SPACE TAB SPACE SPACE

style sheets in InDesign

  1. select all; make type 10/12 Cochin
  2. window > paragraph styles: new, "body", hyphenation=off; apply style
  3. make select menu items bold, caps
  4. window > character styles: new, "bold caps"
  5. type > glyphs (font=Zapf Dingbats): locate the "recommended" dingbat character
  6. make new character style "recommended"; apply style
  7. replace *(asteriks) with formatted dingbat character (cmd+F) (hint: copy and paste the dingbat into the replace field, replace with "recommended" style)
  8. duplicate "body" style, rename "body+price", based on "body"; add nested styles:
    • "recommended" (up to 1 tab characters)
    • "bold caps" (up to 2 tab characters")
  9. duplicate "body" style, rename "body+indent", based on "body"; indents: left=1p, first line=-1p, right=6p, space after=1p; apply style
  10. duplicate "body" style, rename "h2", based on "body": Futura Cond Med, size=16, all caps, tracking=300, horizontal scale=90%, space before=2p; centered
  11. duplicate "h2" style, rename "h1", based on "h2": size=24, space before=2p; space after=4p
  12. apply styles
  13. make initial cap 120 pt; Mistral, tracking=70, skew=9°,
    baseline shift=-10; save as new character style "cap"
  14. edit "h1" style: add nested style "caps" (through 1 character)
  15. go to page 1: proof for bad line breaks, inappropriate use of hyphens, etc; move Janet's name right; add initial cap (adjust tracking, baseline shift)
  16. object > text frame options: vertical alignment=justified
  17. style rest of menu, watching for line breaks

rearranging pages

  1. go to page 20
  2. RMB > numbering & section: start page at "20"
  3. RMB > allow document pages to shuffle = no
  4. drag page 20 into position (to the left of page 1)
  5. go to page 21
  6. RMB > numbering & section: start page at "1" (note small triangle)

finishing the document

  1. file > place pictures (cmd+D); adjust for bleeds, fit in frame
  2. repeat with other pages (refer to PDF)
  3. file > document setup: add slug (bottom=3p)
  4. go to master page "A": add slug (your name)
  5. print (all printer's marks, include slug, scale to fit print area, save preset)
  6. using tape and glue stick, make a folding dummy of your proof (demo)
  7. file > adobe PDF presets > press quality (for print)
  8. file > export: "menu.jpg" (150PPI, quality=high, page 1 only)
  9. open "menu.jpg" in Photoshop
  10. file > save for web (preset=jpeg high, image size=800px wide)

grading

  1. submit folding dummy for grading
  2. file your graded proof in your Process Book for individual review
  3. publish your PDF and JPEG as links from your Process Page

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Last updated: 5/7/21