Faculty Syllabus

Course Description

The fundamentals of using digital layout as a primary publishing tool and the basic concepts and terminology associated with typography and page layout. Topics include an overview of industry standard software for page layout and design, and various methods of reproduction for print and electronic delivery. An introduction to InDesign and other tools and skills used to prepare electronic pre-press art for print reproduction with a goal of economy, neatness and faithfulness to the designer’s layout or written instructions. Material covered will include graphic terminology, type specification, and evolution of the printed piece from concept to final printed project.

Credit Hours: 3

Course Prerequisites

None

Course Rationale / Objectives

Digital Publishing 1 is a foundation course that teaches production skills used by graphic designers. It is a prerequisite for ARTC 1327 Typography and ARTC 2313 Digital Publishing 2. It is a required course in the Graphic Design and Graphic Media Production degree plans.

Required Texts/Materials
Textbook
Adobe InDesign CC 2026 release
Classroom in a Book
The official training workbook from Adobe
Kelly Kordes Anton and Tina DeJarld

• ISBN-10: 0-13-549536-9
• ISBN-13: 978-0-13-549536-0

An Adobe Creative Cloud subscription (https://www.austincc.edu/adobe-creative-cloud-acc) — to access the software for your own use. 

Blackboard (http://www.austincc.edu/blackboard)

Week 1

• Setup Blackboard
• CIB Lesson 1 - Introducing the Workspace

Week 2

• CIB Lesson 2 - Getting to Know InDesign
• On Your Own Project 1: Create a Postcard

Week 3

• CIB Lesson 3 - Setting up a Document and Working with Pages
• CIB Lesson 6 - How to Flow Text

Week 4

• On Your Own Project 2: Two Page Newsletter
• On Your Own Project 2: Two Page Newsletter

Week 5

• CIB Lesson 8 - Working with Typography
• On Your Own Project 3: Tabs

Week 6

• DP1 Competency 1 Major Project Review: Menu
• Competency 1 Quiz

Week 7

• CIB Lesson 4 - Working with Objects
• CIB Lesson 7 - Editing Text

Week 8

• On Your Own Project 4: Product Sheet
• On Your Own Project 4: Product Sheet

Week 9

• CIB Lesson 5 - Working with Color and CIB Lesson 10 - Creating Tables
• CIB Lesson 13 - Printing and Exporting

Week 10

• On Your Own Project 5: Color Table
• On Your Own Project 5: Color Table

Week 11

• DP1 Competency 2 Major Project Review 2: Cookie Recipes
• Competency 2 Quiz 2

Week 12

• CIB Lesson 9 - Working with Styles
• On Your Own Project 6: Working with Styles

Week 13

• CIB Lesson 11 - Importing and Modifying Graphs
• On Your Own Project 7: Menu for Bakery

Week 14

• On Your Own Project 7: Menu for Bakery
• CIB Lesson 12 - Working with Transparency 

Week 15

• On Your Own Project 8: Build a Complex Table
• On Your Own Project 8: Build a Complex Table

Week 16

• DP1 Competency 3 Major Project Review 3: Company Product Bulletin
• Competency 3 Quiz 3

Student Learning Outcomes for this Course:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to

• Apply fundamentals of page layout

• Use typographic terminology and specifications

• Practice importing text and graphics into page layout programs

• Discuss file formats and file management.

• Integrate tools and techniques analyzing elements to produce final product

• Interpret art director’s instructions

• Communicate with industry specialists

• Apply real world production skills used by graphic designers and production personnel

• Appraise basic design problems related to advertising art

• Differentiate CMYK and spot color in single and multicolored reproduction

• Develop discipline in neatness, presentation, and accuracy of work

• Define the terms and language of page layout and design.

What you’ll learn to do by the end of the Graphic Media Production Program:

• Tools and Techniques: Students will effectively choose software, methods, and techniques to create deliverables for print and/or digital media.

• Production Principles: Students will apply a variety of skills, methods, and technologies to produce efficient and accurate final output files for print and/or digital media.

• Professionalism: Students will demonstrate effective communication and collaboration skills to stakeholders, clients, and peers.

• Critical Thinking: Students will analyze project goals to recommend effective production solutions to visual communication clients.