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Guidelines to Graphic Design Process

 
 
  1. Document format decisions
    Identifying the form and function of your document
    What are you going to design?
  2. Conceptualization/Layout Options
    This is where you develop ideas for layouts, try out themes, brainstorm on how to best present information.
    Thumbnail Sketches
    Visual Signposts
  3. Color selection
    Color Symbolism
    Color Palettes
    Extend Color Use with Spot Colors
    Easy Ways to Get Color Without a Color Printer
  4. Font selection
    Number of Fonts
    Fonts for All Caps
    Headlines
    Body Text
  5. Image selection
    Amount of Clip Art
    Graphic Images Types
    Rights Controlled/Custom Artwork
    Frames, Boxes, Borders
    How to Use Pictures of People
  6. Template selection
    How to Use Templates Effectively
    How to Personalize Templates
  7. Page size and margins setup
    Paper Sizes and Measuring Paper
    Using Margins
    Setting Up the Page in InDesign
    Setting Margins, Columns, and Grids in InDesign
  8. Columns or grid setup
    Grids
    Guides
  9. Master pages setup
    Master Pages in InDesign
    Default Software Settings
    Guides
  10. Color palette customization
    Process Color
    Spot Color
    The Color Palette in InDesign
  11. Paragraph styles setup
    Using Style Sheets
    Document Defaults
    Paragraph Spacing
  12. Text aquisition
    Text acquisition is the method by which text is created (such as typing in a word processor) and imported into a desktop publishing application. Text can also be acquired in many different formats, each with its own pros and cons.
  13. Text composition
    Text composition consists of many individual tasks regarding where and how text is arranged on the page and how the text is formated, including spacing, hyphenation, and type styles.
  14. Image aquisition
    Digital Cameras and Photography
    Scanning
    Scanning B&W Clip Art
    Screen Captures
    Rights Controlled/Original Images
    Clip Art for Resale Products
  15. Image creation & editing
    Cropping
    Clipping Paths (Background Removal)
    Illustration and Photo Editing
    People Pictures
  16. Image conversion
    Converting Graphics Formats
    RGB to CMYK Conversion
  17. Image placement
    Import from Graphics Programs
    Clipping Paths (Background Removal)
    Text Wraps
    Frames, Boxes, Borders
    Photo Captions
  18. Proofing
    Proofreaders Marks
    Proofread Text and Layout
    Proofs and Press Checks
  19. Font embedding
  20. Trapping
    Trapping digital files is the process of compensating for the possibility of misregistration on the printing press by printing small areas of overlapping color where objects meet. Trapping makes those gaps less noticeable, even invisible.
  21. Color specs verification
    CMYK (Process Color)
    Spot Color
    Separations
    Color Proofs
  22. Imposition
    Sometimes pages must be printed out of order. On this and subsequent pages take a look at some simple examples that demonstrate imposition or printer spreads -- the process of printing multiple pages on a piece of paper in such a way that when folded (and perhaps cut) they end up in proper 1, 2, 3, 4 order for readers.
  23. Packaging of file
    Send digital files to service bureau
    Camera ready artwork
  24. Printing
    Print to desktop printer
    Get File Commercially Printed
    Commercial Printing Processes
    Work with Printers and Service Bureaus
  25. Finishing (Varnish, Trim, Fold...)
    Diecuts
    Foil Stamping/Embossing
    Folding & Scoring
    Binding Methods
  26. Distribution of Finished Document
 
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