In recent years, I’ve run a workshop introducing the new graphics Year One to Adobe Indesign. It’s an important skill-based activity with the aim to establish the appropriate use of software. Although the clue is in the name, it’s always surprising to see students using Photoshop for design tasks. Within two hours my mission is to break bad habits and establish a new, professional practice.
But first a short history lesson. I think it’s important that our students have a sense of traditional studio method, which is still in living memory. Specifically my own! As baseboard artwork was still being taught while I was at art college (1987–1991) – the desktop publishing revolution lead by Apple was only established once I graduated.
Artwork example by Barney Bubbles.
Pagemaker was an early publishing program, but it was QuarkXpress that became industry standard for over a decade. But their time was cut short by Adobe Indesign, and it was cheaper and bundled with Photoshop and Illustrator. My main message to students is that they need to adapt and be ready to update their skills base. Be fearless. Because change is inevitable.
On with task one. And it’s an opportunity to introduce Year One to swiss graphic designers such as Josef Muller Brockmann, Emil Ruder and my favourite modernist, Wim Crouwel. The main reason being, to advocate the use of grid systems to help guide layout decisions. No blank canvases are allowed from this moment on.
But the first task is to re-create this classic by Armin Hoffman.
Working together, we create a grid system and place the items of copy and image in position. And as we make crucial decisions, I introduce the functionality of the software and explain industry terms such as type point size and leading. It takes ten minutes.
The next task is recreate a political flyer by Helmut Schmid.
Here they learn type hierarchy and layout and simple copy and paste / group and duplicate techniques. Once complete they can test a variety of background colours and finally select their favourite to share with the rest of the group.
We cover a lot of ground in two hours. And it provides a valuable foundation to go forward with their course.