3/29/2025 1:24:22 AM	CS 72.1A Course Outline as of Fall 2025	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  CS 72.1A	Title:  ADOBE INDESIGN 1
Full Title:  Adobe InDesign 1
Last Reviewed:3/10/2025

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	3.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	52.50
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	0		6 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	3.00			Contact Total	52.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly:  CS 72.11A

Catalog Description:

For professionals in the magazine and newspaper industry, Adobe InDesign is indispensable. In this course, students will develop beginning desktop publishing skills using Adobe InDesign for common tasks such as publication layout design, full-page spreads, multi-page layouts, and will learn how to use the generative AI-powered capabilities of Text to Image and Generative Expand in existing InDesign tools. Students will complete real-world assignments such as fliers, brochures, slideshows, promotional materials, and newsletters for print and PDF output that simulate freelance projects. Using hands-on projects, students will learn to identify lucrative opportunities, hone their skills, and leverage artificial intelligence (AI), to create in-demand work.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

For professionals in the magazine and newspaper industry, Adobe InDesign is indispensable. In this course, students will develop beginning desktop publishing skills using Adobe InDesign for common tasks such as publication layout design, full-page spreads, multi-page layouts, and will learn how to use the generative AI-powered capabilities of Text to Image and Generative Expand in existing InDesign tools. Students will complete real-world assignments such as fliers, brochures, slideshows, promotional materials, and newsletters for print and PDF output that simulate freelance projects. Using hands-on projects, students will learn to identify lucrative opportunities, hone their skills, and leverage artificial intelligence (AI), to create in-demand work.

(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:		Inactive:
Area:
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 2002	Inactive:
UC Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Use InDesign to layout and design documents for print and electronic PDF (Portable Document Format) workflow according to industry standards.

2. Use beginning desktop publishing skills with InDesign to combine formatted text and graphics into multiple-page documents.

 

Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Manage the InDesign work area.

2. Set up multiple-page documents using InDesign layout techniques.

3. Print and create native documents and PDF files.

4. Integrate text and graphics into simple documents using frames.

5. Design text frames with multiple columns and path type.

6. Create a document that includes imported text and graphic files and InDesign paths.

7. Manage a document with stacked and grouped frames.

8. Analyze graphic file formats and apply text wrap features.

9. Apply the principles of common character and paragraph text formatting.

10. Design documents with text styles and master pages.

11. Manage workflow of fliers, brochures, slideshows, promotional materials, and newsletter  for print and PDF output.

Topics and Scope

I. Basic skills

    A. Using the tools and panels

    B. Navigational skills

    C. Frame essentials and formatting

II. Layout skills

    A. Working with multiple pages

    B. Using rulers and guides

    C. Applying simple master pages

    D. Understanding layers

III. Text

    A. Creating text frames, path type and importing text files

    B. Threading text into multiple columns

    C. Understanding principles of text formatting, including inline rules, OpenType fonts, leading, kerning, and tracking

    D. Formatting text with character and paragraph enhancements

    E. Creating and applying simple text styles

    F. Editing text

    G. Setting text frame properties

    H. Creating path type

IV. Graphics

    A. Creating paths

    B. Understanding image and vector graphic file formats

    C. Importing images and graphics, panning, and cropping

    D. Managing image display quality

    E. Designing a text wrap

V. Arranging and combining objects

    A. Grouping

    B. Stacking

    C. Aligning and distributing

    D. Duplicating

    E. Transforming

VI. AI capabilities

    A. Strategic advantages

    B. Creative advantages

    C. Production advantages

   D. Text to image and Generative Expand

VII. Workflow

    A. Automating repetitive tasks

    B. Shortcuts

    C. Efficient workflow for high volume output

VIII.  Skill Building

    A. Prioritizing skills to build

    B. Methods

    C. Process

Assignments:

1. Read between 10-20 pages per week from class notes, digital manuals, online references and recommended textbook

2. Quizzes (4-7) and a final exam

3.  Project-based, design assignments such as:

    a. Design the page layout for at least five different types of desktop publishing documents using rules, column, and margin guides

    b. Integrate, pan and crop graphic files in a flier

    c. Create a promotional document enhanced with text-wrapping around imported images and vector graphics

    d. Apply transformations to create an imposition of business cards

    e. Format frames, text and objects with spot colors, gradients, and tints and correctly apply RGB (red green blue) and CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) colors

    f. Create a 3-fold brochure with formatted text, applying the principles of text styles, leading, kerning, and tracking

    g. Organize a complex magazine cover with layers

    h. Design a marketing document using multiple variations of character and paragraph styles

    i. Enhance a title page with special effects, including drop shadows, feathering, transparency, path type, and inline rules

    j. Create PDF files for print, web and slideshow

    k. Build a document using InDesign paths and frames

4. Projects will include:

    a. eBrochure demonstrating appropriate workflow for web based document

    b. Capstone project building a complex, multi-page marketing newsletter over several weeks

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 0 - 0%
None
This is a degree applicable course but assessment tools based on writing are not included because skill demonstrations are more appropriate for this course.
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 0 - 0%
None
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 40 - 60%
Project-based, design assignments and course projects
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 40 - 60%
Quizzes and a final exam
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 0 - 0%
None

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

Adobe InDesign Classroom in a Book 2024 Release, Kelly Kordes Anton and Tina DeJarld, Pub. Adobe Press, 2024

Instructor prepared materials.

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