Explore the capabilities of InDesign in creating a portfolio as this article breaks down the tools and techniques of the software. Discover the differences between InDesign and Photoshop, how to set up a document, insert images, and apply design elements such as line, shape, form, and color.
Key Insights
- InDesign is a powerful tool for creating book layouts and portfolios, different from Photoshop, which is primarily used for image editing. The intelligent system of InDesign allows the creation of multiple pages and spreads, essential for portfolio making.
- The article provides a comprehensive guide to using InDesign for beginners. It covers various aspects, including setting up a document, placing imagery, applying design elements, and understanding typography resources. It also discusses the difference between pages and spreads and their application in digital and hard copy portfolios.
- Specific features of InDesign, like placing and adjusting images, managing links, applying image effects, creating shapes and lines, and setting effects, are explored in detail. These functionalities enhance the visual appeal of the portfolio and ensure an efficient design process.
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Let's dive right into Adobe InDesign, one of the most powerful tools you can use to build a professional portfolio. Whether you've never opened the software before or are just looking for a refresher, this guide will walk you through everything you need to get started.
InDesign Vs. Photoshop: What's the Difference?
A common question is: why use InDesign when I already have Photoshop? They serve very different purposes. Photoshop is best for editing images; adjusting contrast, removing backgrounds, adding entourage to drawings, and manipulating color. InDesign, on the other hand, is built for creating layouts. Think book layouts, magazine spreads, and multi-page documents. Its intelligent system lets you create multiple pages that form the kind of polished spreads you'd see in a professional portfolio.
Setting up Your Document
When you first open InDesign, you'll be greeted with a start menu where you can create a new document. If you're already inside the software, go to File > New Document. Either way, you'll reach the same setup dialog.
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Here's how to configure it:
Intent: For most portfolios, leave this set to Print, asit covers about 90% of use cases.
Number of Pages: You don't need to know your final page count upfront. Start with three to five pages; you can always add or subtract later.
Facing Pages: This option sets up your document in spread format, like a book or magazine. You can also add spreads manually as you work.
Page Size: Choose from InDesign's defaults or enter your own dimensions. Common sizes include 11x17 or 8.5x11. For orientation, the vertical figure icon means portrait and the horizontal one means landscape. Most portfolios use landscape format, though portrait works too.
Margins: A good rule of thumb is a quarter inch on all sides. In the margin fields, type 1/4 i (the "i" tells InDesign you mean inches), and it will convert and apply the value across all four sides automatically.
Bleed: Set this to zero. This means images can extend all the way to the edge of the page without any issues.
Once everything is configured, click OK, and your document is ready to go.
Placing Images
To add an image to your layout, go to File > Place, or use the keyboard shortcut CTRL+D (Windows) or Command+D (Mac). A dialog will let you browse for the image you want. Click it to insert it into the document.
Once placed, you'll see a blue frame with an X through it. This is just the image frame; it shows you the boundaries of where the image sits and does not print. To preview what the page will actually look like when printed, deselect everything and press W on your keyboard to enter Print Preview mode.
You can adjust images in two ways: move just the image within its frame, or move the entire frame together. To fit an image properly, right-click on it, go to Fitting, and choose from options like Fill Frame Proportionally or Fit Content. Try different settings to see what works best for your layout.
InDesign also offers image effects. Right-click on any image, go to Effects, and apply things like drop shadows, inner shadows, and transparency. Check the Preview box in the lower left of the dialog to see changes in real time before committing.
Working with Lines and Shapes
InDesign's shape and line tools give your layouts structure and visual interest.
Lines: Select the Line tool from the left toolbar, then click and drag to draw. Hold Shift while dragging to keep the line perfectly straight. Adjust the stroke weight using the panel at the top of the screen.
Shapes: Click the shape icon in the left toolbar, where you'll find options for Rectangle, Ellipse, and Polygon. If you only see one shape type, left-click and hold the icon to reveal the others. Once you've selected a shape, click and drag to draw it. Hold Shift while dragging to keep proportions even (for example, to turn a rectangle into a perfect square).
Just like images, shapes can have effects applied to them. Right-click on any shape and go to Effects to explore options like drop shadows. The Preview checkbox lets you see exactly what an effect will look like before you finalize it.
Pages Vs. Spreads
One key concept in InDesign is the difference between pages and spreads. Individual pages are ideal when printing a hard copy portfolio; each page stands alone. Spreads combine two pages side by side, like an open book or magazine, and are better suited for digital presentations and digital portfolios.
Typography
InDesign also has robust tools for adding and styling text. These tools include font selection, sizing, and placing text blocks within your layout.
Getting started in InDesign might feel like a lot at first, but the goal of this lesson is simple: by the end, you should have enough knowledge to build your own portfolio from scratch.
