I’ve taught InDesign since its inception, and over the past few years I’ve noticed a sea change in the types of students who take my classes. At first, students were mostly graphic designers and professional printers, learning the cutting edge page layout program that was positioned to replace the industry standard, Quark. As InDesign fulfilled its promise and took over the publishing industry, it became a must-know for designers and pre-press professionals.

In the last year or two many office support staffers are being required to learn InDesign, as budgets tighten and companies no longer want to outsource work to freelance designers. Employees with little or no design training are being required to navigate the complexities of typography and information architecture and create publications that look professionally designed.

The task can be daunting, but I weave basic typography and common-sense design principles into my InDesign curriculum, because designing publications is so much more than just knowing the software, and I want my students to have a solid foundation to build from.

I’m really proud of what my students have accomplished recently, including the recent newsletter for Sisters of The Road, a non-profit agency here in Portland.