Nigel French
Nigel is a photographer, graphic designer, and design teacher, based in Lewes.
Design your own book in Adobe InDesign with Nigel French
Ref: D5D36799
About this course
Embark on an immersive five-day experience where you will learn how to create a beautifully designed and illustrated book using InDesign. This hands-on, practical course will take you from a blank page to a polished, print-ready file, with expert guidance every step of the way.
Course Description
On this course, you will dive into the world of book design and illustration using InDesign. From the basics of page layout to the finer details of typography and image integration, your tutor will walk you through the entire process, ensuring you gain the skills to bring your book concept to life with confidence.
Topics covered include: Page layout and design:
- Understand the principles of effective page composition, including choosing the ideal page size and aspect ratio, and how to use white space effectively
Typography:
- Gain confidence in selecting typefaces and styling fonts for both readability and visual impact - Learn to focus on typographic details and avoid common errors. Explore how OpenType fonts can bring added nuance and personality to your design
Working with images:
- Learn how to integrate illustrations and photographs seamlessly into your design
- Understand image file formats and resolutions to ensure the best reproduction quality
Workflow and production techniques:
- Discover efficient design tips and tools, such as using paragraph styles and automation techniques, to streamline your process
By the end of the course, you will have the skills and confidence to bring your book design vision to life creatively.
You will initially work from sample text supplied by the tutor to get to grips with the essential skills and design principles. Then you will move on to using your own text and/or images, though it may not be possible to complete your book in the time. You should leave with the know-how to complete your design at home.
Course Materials
Included
This course will take place in the College PC-based computer suite, with Adobe suite installed for your use during the course.
What students need to bring
- A digital copy of the text/photographs relating to your project on an external drive/USB
- (Optional) A laptop with a current version of Adobe InDesign
- An external drive or your own access to iCloud to save your work
- Also, bring a note of your own Adobe ID login. If you dont already have one, please register for a free account at www.adobe.com prior to the course, and remember to bring the details with you
Additional information
You will need basic PC or Mac skills, including a solid understanding of a computer's operating system (Windows or Mac OS). You will also need to know how to launch a program, create and save files, and copy files from CDs and other media.
Timetable
Daily Timetable
Course teaching: 11am–5.15pm
Students arrive: 10.30am-11am (coffee optional)
Morning teaching: 11am-1pm
Lunch break: 1pm-2pm (lunch is not included)
Afternoon teaching: 2pm-5.15pm (15 minute break, 3.30pm–3.45pm)
Teaching finishes: 5.15pm
General Information
Short courses are open to anyone aged 18 and over. The course fee covers tuition and materials where stated. You will need to bring all other items listed under the Materials to bring section.
Refreshments
Coffee and tea are included in the course fee, but you will need to bring lunch with you to eat in the refreshments room. There are also plenty of other local venues to purchase food.
Access
If you have any specific access needs, we will need to know about your access requirements in advance. Please tell us about your needs in confidence by emailing: [email protected] This venue has steps to the front reception, with limited access via a side gate to the ground floor. There is a small lift to higher floors or stairs.
Safety
Short course students are required to sign a safety compliance form as part of West Dean Health and Safety regulations.
Refunds and cancellations
Please refer to our terms & conditions below.
Disclaimer
The information given is accurate at the time of publication. However, West Dean College reserves the right to cancel or amend courses if circumstances require.
Terms & Conditions
Tutors
