Desktop Publishing and Design

Your at-home learning program includes seven Instruction Sets designed to take you step-by-step through the techniques and skills you’ll employ in your new career in Desktop Publishing and Design. Your first Instruction Set will be sent to you as soon as your enrollment has been accepted. Other Instruction Sets will follow as you complete your exams, so that you will always have training materials to work with.

Please note: In order to complete this program, students will be required to have an IBM-compatible computer with the following minimum specifications: Pentium® IV or better processor; Microsoft® Windows® XP or later operating system with at least 512MB of memory (1GB or more recommended for Vista). 1.8GB of hard disk space; DVD Drive. You must also have access to the Internet and Microsoft® Office® to complete portions of this program.

Here is an overview of what you’ll learn and the order in which you’ll receive your learning materials:

Instruction Set 1

• Learning Strategies
  • The advantages of learning at home; types of study materials; types of examinations; accessing and using the features of our website; determining what kind of learner you are; establishing a study schedule; using study tips; preparing for and taking examinations.
• Desktop Publishing: An Introduction
  • Job opportunities in the field; the history of publishing; the future of desktop publishing.

Instruction Set 2

• The Electronic Publishing Process
  • The document creation process; compatibility of hardware, software, and users; assessing compatibility.
• Elements of Design
  • Basic design terms; transferring document design skills to online publishing and the creation of World Wide Web pages.
    Illustrations
  • Types of illustrations used by desktop publishers; selecting, sizing, and placing art in documents; arranging and manipulating images.
• Illustrations
  • Types of illustrations used by desktop publishers; selecting, sizing, and placing art in documents; arranging and manipulating images.
• Supplements:
  • Glossary of Computer Terms
  • A Guide to the Internet

Instruction Set 3

• Planning and Designing Short Documents
  • Effectively planning and designing business cards, letterheads, envelopes, resumes, brochures, flyers, and newsletters.
• Planning and Designing Multipage Documents
  • Using your design skills to produce books, magazines, annual reports, and other longer documents.

Instruction Set 4

• Essential Publishing Skills
  • A detailed look at proofreading and editing; their importance in desktop publishing.
• Computer Hardware and Peripherals
  • The components of a personal computer; input devices, monitors, printers, floppy disks, telecommunication devices, and microprocessors; memory; buying the right computer.

Instruction Set 5

• Introduction to Windows®
  • The basics of PC operating systems; customizing your PC to suit your needs; making the best use of some Windows® accessories.
• Using Windows®
  • Customization procedures; professional tips and shortcuts; using Clipboard; using your taskbar and controlling files using Windows® Explorer.
• Managing and Supporting Windows®
  • Start-up folder, short cut icons; arranging items on the desktop; adding and removing items to the start menu; adding hardware and software; creating a start-up disk; defragmenting your hard drive; advanced file management; using a recycle bin for deleted files.

Instruction Set 6

• Adobe® InDesign®
  • InDesign® overview and setup; working with text and layout; working with colour, styles, and graphics; final output; print, PDF, and Web production.
• Textbook: Classroom in a Book, InDesign®
• Software: Adobe® InDesign®

Instruction Set 7

• Graded Project
  • Creating a home page file using PageMaker® and a PageMaker® extension, HTML Author.
• The Printing Process
  • How to bring a print publishing project to a successful conclusion; hardware and software options; preparing documents for delivery to commercial printers.

Online Library and Librarian
Students in ICS Canada have access to an online library for use during their studies. Students can use this library to do the required research in the courses they complete or can use it for general reference and links to valuable resources. The library contains helpful research assistance, articles, databases, books, and Web links. A librarian is available to answer questions on general research-related topics via email and assist students in research activities during their studies with ICS Canada.

We reserve the right to change program content and materials when it becomes necessary.

IBM is a trademark of IBM Corporation registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.

Intel and Pentium are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries registered in the United States and other countries.

Microsoft, Windows, Windows NT, and Paint are trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.

Adobe, PageMaker, and Postscript are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.