Desktop Publishing and Design
(Software included)

Your at-home learning program includes seven Instruction Sets designed to take you step-by-step through the techniques and skills you’ll employ in your new career in Desktop Publishing and Design. Your first Instruction Set will be sent to you as soon as your enrolment has been accepted. Other Instruction Sets will follow as you complete your exams, so that you will always have training materials to work with.

Please note: In order to complete this program you will need to access to a computer with the following hardware and software requirements: IBM® Compatible PC, with Pentium® IV or better processor; Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system with 512MB (IGB recommended) of RAM; 1.8GB of available hard drive space; 1,024X768 display (1,280X800 recommended) with 16-bit video card; and DVD-ROM drive, Internet access and a current version of Microsoft® Office® Software.

Here is an overview of what you’ll learn and the order in which you’ll receive your learning materials:

Instruction Set 1

• Learning Strategies
  • The advantages of learning at home; types of study materials; types of examinations; accessing and using the features of our website; determining what kind of learner you are; establishing a study schedule; using study tips; preparing for and taking examinations.
• Desktop Publishing: An Introduction
  • Job opportunities in the field; the history of publishing; the future of desktop publishing.

Instruction Set 2

• The Electronic Publishing Process
  • The document creation process; compatibility of hardware, software, and users; assessing compatibility.
• Elements of Design
  • Basic design terms; transferring document design skills to online publishing and the creation of World Wide Web pages.
    Illustrations
• Illustrations
  • Types of illustrations used by desktop publishers; selecting, sizing, and placing art in documents; arranging and manipulating images.
• Supplements:
  • Glossary of Computer Terms
  • A Guide to the Internet

Instruction Set 3

• Planning and Designing Short Documents
  • Effectively planning and designing business cards, letterheads, envelopes, resumes, brochures, flyers, and newsletters.
• Planning and Designing Multipage Documents
  • Using your design skills to produce books, magazines, annual reports, and other longer documents.

Instruction Set 4

• Essential Publishing Skills
  • A detailed look at proofreading and editing; their importance in desktop publishing.
• Computer Hardware and Peripherals
  • The components of a personal computer; input devices, monitors, printers, floppy disks, telecommunication devices, and microprocessors; memory; buying the right computer.

Instruction Set 5

• Introduction to Windows®
  • The basics of PC operating systems; customizing your PC to suit your needs; making the best use of some Windows® accessories.
• Using Windows®
  • Customization procedures; professional tips and shortcuts; using Clipboard; using your taskbar and controlling files using Windows® Explorer.
• Managing and Supporting Windows®
  • Start-up folder, short cut icons; arranging items on the desktop; adding and removing items to the start menu; adding hardware and software; creating a start-up disk; defragmenting your hard drive; advanced file management; using a recycle bin for deleted files.

Instruction Set 6

• InDesign: Overview and Setup
  • Installing the software; additional resources; getting started; looking at the workspace.
• Working with Text and Layout
  • Transforming and aligning objects; vertically aligning text; flowing text into an existing frame; changing fonts and styles; setting tabs; adjusting letter and word spacing.
• Working with Color, Styles and Graphics
  • Creating and applying colors; working with gradients; using advanced gradient techniques; creating and applying paragraph styles; nesting character styles inside paragraph styles; loading styles from another document; comparing vector and bitmap graphics; adjusting view quality; working with alpha channels; importing and formatting a table; formatting text within a table.
• Final Output: Print, PDF and Web Production
  • Importing and colorizing a grayscale image; applying transparency settings; importing and adjusting Illustrator files that use transparency; preflighting files; packaging files; previewing separations; printing a laser on inkjet proof; setting up on online document; adding buttons, page transitions and hyperlinks; exploring a Flash.
• Textbook: Classroom in a Book, InDesign®
• Software: Adobe® InDesign®

Instruction Set 7

• Graded Project
  • Creating a home page file using PageMaker® and a PageMaker® extension, HTML Author.
• The Printing Process
  • How to bring a print publishing project to a successful conclusion; hardware and software options; preparing documents for delivery to commercial printers.

Online Library and Librarian
Students in ICS Canada have access to an online library for use during their studies. Students can use this library to do the required research in the courses they complete or can use it for general reference and links to valuable resources. The library contains helpful research assistance, articles, databases, books, and Web links. A librarian is available to answer questions on general research-related topics via email and to assist students in research activities during their studies with ICS Canada.

We reserve the right to change program content and materials when it becomes necessary.

IBM is a trademark of IBM Corporation registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.

Intel and Pentium are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries registered in the United States and other countries.

Microsoft, Windows, Windows NT, and Paint are trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.

Adobe, PageMaker, and Postscript are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.