Document Design

1. Introduction to Design

Students will

• learn basic print design theory, including page structure, column formatting, typeface relationships, and the use of white space and colour (process and spot)
• produce a variety of simple one- and two-colour projects, including stationery, invitations, and specialized form letters, using industry-standard software programs
• become familiar with common design errors and how to correct them
• become familiar with print terminology
• become familiar with traditional assembly procedures

2. Applied Design

Students will

• assess the functionality of software for drawing, graphics, and presentation
• assess the suitability of different design techniques for a variety of publications
• analyze design needs of various clients and organizations
• prepare design elements, text specifications, and graphics in a graphics software program for import into page-layout software
• investigate rates of and accessibility to professional designers

3. Page Layout

Students will

• prepare text in a word-processing program for import into a page-layout program
• examine the basic structure of a page-layout program
• examine techniques for producing a simple publication in a page-layout program
• examine and use design techniques for page balance and presentation effectiveness
• examine and use advanced techniques in page-layout software, including

• manipulating and integrating graphics
• creating large initial letters
• placing pull quotes
• determining justified and unjustified text spacing
• kerning
• using non-standard line spacing
• spacing headlines
• wrapping text around even and uneven shapes
• downloading fonts to a printer
• printing to file
• printing thumbnails, crop marks, and reductions
• producing forms
• designing templates

4. Print Coordination

Students will

• examine the stages of preparing a publication for digital output to service bureaus and learn how to coordinate a project through print production, including full-colour separation, spot-colour separation, halftone screens, bleeds, overlays and complex registration, digital and printers’ proofs
• analyze various paper weights, styles and sizes
• examine spot and process colour systems
• analyze the process of printing documents on a variety of presses, including web and four-colour presses
• obtain estimates on costs involved in a variety of print jobs
• assess publications at the blueline (or comparable) stage for errors, additions, omissions, etc.
• assess print proofs for colour, errors, omissions, corrections
• go to a professional print shop to view specific production issues, such as colour balance, registration, and plate imperfections