InDesign is an amazing design tool. And thankfully, with a little practice, it’s quite easy to use!
But how do you actually get that practice? There are so many options for what to create in InDesign that it’s hard to know where to begin.
Never fear! Here are a bunch of prompts you can use to practice using InDesign. Even if you don’t follow the prompt exactly, it might inspire a new project that you want to work on.
And if you’re intimidated by the idea of creating an ebook template, don’t let the word count scare you—simply create your textbox and go to Type > Fill with Placeholder Text. No writing required!
If you want to practice clean designs…
- Create matching Instagram Stories templates for posts with 1, 2, and 3 photos.
- Create a checklist for something within your niche.
- Create a worksheet that asks long-form questions.
- Create an eye-catching ad for your blog or business using just one color in addition to black and white.
- Design a notepad that you can use to track your recurring blogging tasks.
- Create a set of bookmarks using only the rectangle tool and text.
- Create a magazine cover using only one font and two colors, in addition to black and white and a photo of your choice.
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If you want to practice typography…
- Create a motivational quote graphic for social media using a single typeface in two different sizes.
- Create a motivational quote graphic for social media using two typefaces in the same size.
- Create a logo for a fake company using one typeface. You can use multiple font sizes and multiple weights, but only one typeface.
- Create a logo for a fake company using two typefaces.
- Create a set of logos (primary and two secondary) for a fake company using only one typeface.
- Create a set of logos (primary and two secondary) for a fake company using two typefaces.
- Create a blog post header image template using two typefaces.
- Create a blog post header image template using one typeface.
If you want to practice styles…
- Create an ebook template with title, heading 1, and heading 2 paragraph styles.
- Create a worksheet with at least one paragraph style, and then change the font of the entire document using only paragraph styles.
- Create a 20-page ebook using a single color (in addition to black and white) using paragraph, character, and object styles, and then change that color in 30 seconds or less.
- Design social media quote templates using paragraph and object styles. Using this template, create 5 graphics in less than a minute. Only use copy and paste for the text of the quotes.
- Create a new document and immediately create 4 paragraph styles and 2 object styles. Then design a 10-page ebook using only your paragraph styles and object styles.
If you want to practice the pen tool…
- Find a photo of a country or continent on Google Images and use the pen tool to trace it. Get as detailed as you can.
- Find a cartoon of your favorite animal and trace it with the pen tool.
- Write your name in bubble letters using only the pen tool.
- Place a selfie into an InDesign document and use the pen tool to create a self-illustration.
- Create a set of icons for your blog that go along with topics you write about. Think: computer, plant, pen, whisk, lipstick, shoe…
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If you want to practice Pathfinder…
- Create a yin-yang using only the ellipse and rectangle tools, in addition to Pathfinder.
- Create a triangle without using the pen tool.
- Create a heart using Pathfinder.
- Create a Phases of the Moon chart using only the ellipse tool and rectangle tool, in addition to Pathfinder.
- Create a fake text wrap using Pathfinder.
- Recreate the Olympics logo using Pathfinder.
If you want to practice long-form text styling…
- Create a 15-page ebook and flow the text on every page.
- Create a 5-page document with text flowing across it in two columns, with only one text box per page.
- Create a 5-page document with text flowing across two columns. Add an icon to the middle of one page and wrap the text around it.
- Create a two-page document that has two columns of text per page with unequal widths. Make sure that the text flows from one page to another.
- Design a 30-page ebook with text on all but 3 of pages, but no repeating elements from page to page. Text boxes should be different sizes and placements, but still have a cohesive feel. Images and icons are allowed.
Using InDesign isn’t too complicated, it just takes practice! So pick out a few prompts and see what you can create.
Don't forget! Enroll in the InDesign Adventure Guide to become an InDesign master!
