Adobe InDesign for Beginners (FLEX)

* Students are required to have Adobe InDesign software to complete this course.
* This course is designed for those who have little to no knowledge of Adobe InDesign but *DO* have basic computer skills (such as right click, left click, click and drag, basic typing, and saving/finding/opening a file).
* Having two screens is recommended for this course (for example, a laptop/tablet and a computer).

What will we do in this course?
In this five-week course, students will learn how to use basic tools in Adobe InDesign and practice using those tools by creating five different projects: a flyer, greeting card, a to-do list template, and a t-shirt design. Utilizing the tools they have learned in the first four weeks, students will design a project of their choice during the final week.

How will this course be taught?
This course is a flex class and will have no live meetings. Instead, students will be watching instructional videos while following along using their own InDesign software. Flex classes are a great way for beginners to learn the basics of InDesign, because they can pause or rewind the video when needed. This allows students to work at their own pace and repeat the lessons as often as they'd like. However, this course does not only provide videos. This is an *interactive* course and will include the following:

Week One:
- Introduction to InDesign: What is InDesign used for? (video)
- Project One: Make a To-Do List Template (video, plus hands-on design)
- Answer a discussion question (Outschool Classroom)
- Post your completed projects to the Outschool classroom
- Respond to at least one other student's post

Week Two:
- Project Two: Make a T-Shirt Design (video, plus hands-on design)
- Answer a discussion question 
- Post your completed projects to the Outschool classroom
- Respond to at least one other student's post

Week Three:
- Project Three: Make a Flyer (video, plus hands-on design)
- Answer a discussion question 
- Post your completed projects to the Outschool classroom
- Respond to at least one other student's post

Week Four:
- Project Four: Make a Greeting Card (video, plus hands-on design)
- Answer a discussion question 
- Post your completed projects to the Outschool classroom
- Respond to at least one other student's post

Week Five:
- Final Project: Create Your Own Design (video, plus hands-on design)
- Answer a discussion question 
- Post your completed projects to the Outschool classroom
- Respond to at least one other student's post

The teacher will be monitoring discussions and completion of assignments throughout the course and will be available for questions and assistance as needed.

Will I be an expert at using InDesign after completing this course?
This course is designed for beginners. Although students will learn how to use many InDesign tools and actions (such as creating and exporting files, selection tool, type tool, typography options, line tool, ellipse tool, color tool, stroke, fonts, placing objects, paragraph settings, footers, and pages), there are more advanced tools that will not be taught during this course.

What do students need to know before taking this course?
This course is designed for those who have little to no knowledge of Adobe InDesign but DO have basic computer skills (such as right click, left click, click and drag, basic typing, and finding/opening a file).

How is this course better than just watching YouTube videos for free?
There are several reasons. The videos in this class were created for kids; they are slow paced and easy to understand. Unlike YouTube, a teacher is involved throughout the entire course and is available to give feedback, answer questions, and provide assistance as needed. In addition, this course involves interaction with other students by answering discussion questions and posting your completed projects for classmates and the teacher to see and comment on.

Parents: Please note that students will be given instructions for visiting Pixabay and/or Unsplash (free image websites) during this course.