# InDesign in a Day Course Online

Canonical URL: <https://vdci.edu/courses/indesign-in-a-day-course-online>

## Overview

InDesign is the industry standard for page layout, and this course gets you working with it right away. You'll learn how to arrange text and graphics, control typography, add photos, and build and apply colors, giving you a genuine feel for the program and what it can do.

This course is a great fit if you're new to InDesign and want a focused introduction without a major time commitment. If you're ready to go further, our Adobe InDesign Course Online covers the program in much greater depth, and if you're working toward a portfolio, the Graphic Design Certification Program are worth exploring.

## What you'll learn

- Build layouts that bring together text, color, and graphics
- Import and style both text and graphic elements
- Design a business card and a bi-fold brochure from start to finish
- Prep your files for final output, including print and PDF formats

## Curriculum

### Section 1

#### Business Card: Setting Up a File & Adding the Logo

- Setting Default Preferences
- Setting Up a File
- Importing & Sizing a Vector Graphic (the Logo)

#### Business Card: Adding Text

- Creating Text Frames
- Basic Text Styling
- Loading Adobe Fonts

#### Business Card: Colors

- Removing the Default Color Swatches
- Creating & Editing Color Swatches
- Swapping Out Graphics

#### Business Card: Adding a 2nd Page (the Back) with QR Code

- Creating the Back of the Business Card (a Second Page)
- Creating QR Codes
- Navigating Documents (Zooming and Panning)
- Copying Appearance With the Eyedropper Tool

#### Business Card: OpenType Settings

- Setting up a Document Bleed
- Placing Images
- Combining Text & Images
- White Type on a Black Background

### Section 2

#### Brochure: Creating 2-Page Spreads & Cropping Photos

- Setting Up Spreads (Facing Pages)
- Importing Pixel-Based Photos
- Cropping & Scaling Photos
- Checking Image Resolution to Ensure Good Print Quality

#### Brochure: Layers, Visual Effects, & Blending Modes

- Creating & Locking Layers
- Rotating Objects
- Drop Shadows
- Gradient Feather
- Blending Modes

#### Brochure: Fine-Tuning Type: Kerning/Tracking & More

- Paragraph Spacing
- Working in Picas (Instead of Inches)
- Metrics vs. Optical Kerning
- Kerning vs. Tracking
- Variable Fonts

#### Brochure: Working with Tabbed Text

- Setting Tab Marker Positions
- Adding & Styling Leader Characters

#### Preparing for Professional Printing: PDFs & Packaging Files

- Exporting PDFs for printing or emailing to clients
- Packaging InDesign Files

## Instructors

### Dan Rodney — Instructor

Dan Rodney has been a designer and web developer for over 20 years, creating coursework and leading innovative training initiatives. Dan has been at the forefront of integrating AI into design and business workflows, spearheading AI courses. In addition to teaching and curriculum development, he writes custom scripts for InDesign (Make Book Jacket, Proper Fraction Pro, and more) and works with automation and AI-driven tools in his free time. You can find Dan on X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Facebook, and at danrodney.com.

### Eugenio Solis de Ovando — Instructor

Eugenio Solis de Ovando is a Senior Instructor specializing in graphic design, web design, and visual communication. With over 20 years of experience in the creative industry, Eugenio is passionate about helping students develop strong technical skills and a solid design foundation across print, digital, and web platforms.

Eugenio teaches a wide range of courses, including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Figma, WordPress, UI Design, and Artificial Intelligence for Graphic Design. His classes are known for their clear, hands-on approach, blending technical mastery with creative exploration to help students bring their ideas to life with confidence and precision.

He holds a Ph. D. in Artificial Intelligence with a specialization in Human Performance Technology, where his research focused on integrating emerging AI technologies into adult education and training. 

As an Adobe Certified Design Master and Licensed Private Career School Teacher in New York State, Eugenio is dedicated to delivering high-quality instruction and sharing best practices in digital design workflows. He brings real-world insights into the classroom, guiding students through professional techniques in layout design, typography, color theory, image editing, and responsive web design.

## Pricing

**Tuition:** $425