Key details

InDesign training course for existing users, expanding your knowledge of the application and teaching skills for creating eye-catching layouts.

Building on the topics taught in our introductory course, this course teaches techniques in the following areas to power-user level:

• Page layout
• Advanced typography
• GREP
• Special effects
• AI
• Objects
• Colour
• Data merge
• Advanced styles
• More about tables and table styles
• More about parent pages
• More Creative Cloud
• Adobe Bridge
• Interactive PDFs and e-books
• Importing
• Printing and exporting
• Preferences.

Upcoming course dates

In-class or online

This course is available in-class at eight centres or live online.

Expert trainers

InDesign courses are hosted by Adobe Certified Professionals with vast experience of using the application professionally. See Expert trainers.

How will I learn?

InDesign training is hands-on and practical.

Our trainers teach the necessary theory then demonstrate techniques step-by-step. You then practice the techniques taught on a computer running InDesign. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to ask questions.

Windows or Mac

InDesign works almost identically on the Windows and Mac platforms.

Our centres offer both Windows and Mac computers for delegates to use, so you can choose to carry out exercises on the platform you’re familiar with.

InDesign training guide and certificate

Course delegates receive:

• A practical InDesign training guide, to refer to during the course and use as a refresher after. Choose from a printed, bound guide or a PDF – whatever suits you best. If you’re participating online and you choose a printed guide, we’ll post this to you.

• An e-certificate confirming successful course completion. Click here to see an example of the certificate you receive.

After course support

Following Intermediate/Advanced InDesign training, delegates are entitled to 30 days’ email support from their InDesign trainer to help with any post-course issues. For further details, see Support.

Prerequisites

Delegates should be familiar with the fundamentals of InDesign, i.e. have attended Introduction to InDesign training or have equivalent knowledge.

InDesign version

Intermediate/Advanced InDesign training is based primarily on InDesign 2025. The techniques taught are relevant to all recent releases of InDesign.

Training is suitable for both Windows and Mac users.

Our guarantees to you

We offer:

• A price guarantee that you’re getting the best value for money.
• A training guarantee that you’ll learn the concepts and skills you need.

On-request InDesign training available

Intermediate/Advanced InDesign training is also available on-request, i.e. one-to-one training or a ‘closed course’ for your group, hosted at one of our centres, your venue or online.

On-request InDesign training can be tailored to take into account any existing knowledge you have, and the work you’re going to be doing. Please contact us for a quote.

General information

Course times

9.30am–4.30pm.

Payment

Payment for InDesign training can be made by:

• Bank transfer. Please call 01527 834783 for our bank details.
• Card. All major credit and debit cards accepted. Payment can be made securely online or over the phone. Card payments are processed by Stripe. Armada doesn’t record or store your card details.

Purchase orders

We accept purchase orders from UK-registered companies and public sector organisations.

Cancellations and transfers

You can cancel a booking on a scheduled training course, or transfer to a later course, without penalty providing you give us 10 working days’ notice. Any fees already paid will be refunded.

If you cancel a booking on a scheduled Intermediate/Advanced InDesign course giving less than 10 working days’ notice, or request a transfer to a later course, a cancellation/transfer fee is payable. The fee charged depends on the notice period given. For details, see cancellation terms.

Different terms apply for the cancellation or postponement of an on-request course (one-to-one training or a ‘closed course’ for your group). For details, see course cancellations.

Terms and conditions

Training course bookings are subject to our terms and conditions.

Expert trainers

Intermediate/Advanced InDesign training courses are hosted by:

• Lynne Telfer
• Alistair Dabbs
• Matt Haddock
• Andrew Moreton
• Simon Dry
• Marek Mularczyk
• Richard Bird
• Phil Talbot
• Philip Odell

Lynne Telfer

Lynne Telfer is highly experienced instructor with over 25 years’ experience working as a professional trainer.

In the late nineties, Lynne worked for Adobe as a trainer and consultant, hosting courses in FrameMaker and other applications at all levels for Adobe’s clients. She’s provided training in Adobe’s Technical Communication and Creative applications ever since.

Lynne has expert knowledge of:

• Adobe FrameMaker – both Unstructured and Structured use.
• Adobe RoboHelp.
• Adobe Creative Cloud applications: InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator and Acrobat.
• Adobe’s e-Learning tools – Captivate and Presenter.
• Microsoft Office suite of applications, covering the mainstream applications Word, Excel and PowerPoint to advanced level.

Lynne has a BA Hons in Educational Practice from Oxford Brookes University.

Alistair Dabbs

Alistair is a highly-experienced trainer with expert knowledge of various Adobe creative applications including InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects and Premiere Pro. He has held Adobe Certified Instructor (ACI) status for almost 20 years, delivering courses in both English and French.

Alistair has worked in a wide range of publishing roles including prepress production, graphic design and editorial production. He has delivered workshops and chaired debates at IT industry conferences.

When not training, Alistair works as a journalist and technical writer, writing on topics including digital imaging, computer arts, fintech, data security, AI and VR. He is a regular contributor to various computer and graphic arts magazines including The Register and Ars Technica, and is the author/co-author of several published books, including the best-selling Digital Designer’s Bible.

Matt Haddock

Matt is one of the UK’s leading creative software trainers. He has hosted training in Adobe’s core graphics packages, InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop, at all levels, for over 20 years.

Matt brings a wealth of industry knowledge. When not training, he continues to work as a graphic designer, working on a variety of projects in areas including promotion, identity, publishing and graphics.

He has a friendly, familiar approach to training, encouraging delegates to ask questions and take full ownership of the skills they learn.

Andrew Moreton

Andrew is a highly-experienced instructor with expert knowledge of InDesign and Photoshop.

He’s also a practicing web developer with expert knowledge of Dreamweaver, WordPress and HTML5 and CSS3 coding.

Andrew has 25+ years’ experience in graphic design, electronic publishing and website design and development, and he’s been hosting courses in these topics for 20+ years.

Simon Dry

Simon is a highly-experienced design professional, whose previous roles have included Designer, Project Manager and Creative Director. He has expert knowledge of a range of applications, including Adobe InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop, hosting courses in these applications at all levels. Simon continues to work as a graphic designer, working on a variety of projects for Blue-Chip clients in areas including press and digital ads, photography, website design, social media.

Marek Mularczyk

Marek is an Adobe Design, Video and Motion Specialist, and an Adobe Certified Instructor (ACI).

Voted as one of top 10 Adobe Certified Instructors in the world, Marek has over 15 years’ experience as an animator and photo/video editor, and has published numerous books on these topics.

As an instructor, Marek has trained a wide range of blue-chip clients including Lloyds, Barclays, HS2, Lululemon, Asos, Boohoo, Sony, Samsung, and many more.

Prior to focusing on training, Marek worked as a professional photographer for over 12 years. Photography remains his passion, and in his spare time he travels Europe in search of that perfect picture.

Richard Bird

Richard is an Associate of the Learning and Performance Institute (TAP accredited) with 30+ years’ experience in the design industry and 20+ years’ training experience.

He began his career at the London College of Printing, and then worked as a magazine designer and art editor. Later, on switching to the advertising industry, he made a name as a freelance typographer and studio manager working for top London studios including Domino, Mustard and Face. Richard enjoys bringing his wealth of knowledge and experience to others.

Richard’s extra-curricular interests include horse riding, military history, travel and typography.

Phil Talbot

Phil works as a professional graphic designer and illustrator.

He’s a long-standing Adobe Design Specialist with expert knowledge of Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Creative Cloud Express and Acrobat. He has used all of these applications extensively for over 25 years.

Phil’s professional qualifications and extensive experience provide an ideal base to train delegates using blended learning techniques to improve the individuals’ and organisations’ capabilities. He has worked with and trained many blue-chip organisations.

Philip Odell

Philip is a highly experienced instructor specialising in Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat and FrameMaker.

Philip began his working life with Texas Instruments, before joining Adobe in 1995, where he worked for five years. Philip still has links with Adobe, manning their stands and carrying out presentations when they’re exhibiting in the UK.

For the last eighteen years, Philip has worked as a graphic design specialist, consultant and trainer. He continues to use Adobe applications extensively in his day-to-day professional work.

Course content

Page Layout

• Change page size
• Set type on a baseline grid
• Design alternate page layouts
• Advanced align options
• The Gap tool
• Liquid layout and page rules
• Templates – creating and using
• Adobe Stock Design Templates

Advanced Typography

• Typographical preferences
• Advanced Character formatting options
• Advanced Paragraph formatting options
• Create type outlines
• Type on a path
• Set tabs and leaders

GREP

• What is GREP?
• Find and replace with GREP
• Use GREP styles

Special Effects

• Transparency
• Effects
• Corner effects

AI

• Generative expand

Objects

• Create and apply object styles
• Use step and repeat
• Use Gridify to create to multiple frames
• Transform objects and repeat the transformation
• Create paths with the pen tool
• Open and close paths
• Create custom shapes with the pathfinder panel
• Convert shapes

Colour

• Share swatches between InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator
• Adobe colour themes
• Use .ASE files
• Sett default colours

Data Merge

• Use data merge to create multiple versions of a document
• How to setup a merge source
• Add merge fields
• Include image fields in the data merge
• Styling
• Output

Advanced Styles

• Import Styles
• Custom numbered paragraph styles
• Keep paragraphs and lines together
• Create nested styles
• Create span and split paragraph styles
• Use ‘Based on’, ‘Next Style’ and Quick Apply
• Work with Style packs

Work with Tables

• Convert tabulated text
• Import Word tables and Excel data
• Break tables across frames

Table Styles

• Cell styles
• Table styles

More about Parent Pages

• Parent and child parents
• Override parent page items
• Shuffle options
• Define and insert variables
• Modify variable definitions

More Creative Cloud

• Creative Cloud libraries
• Capture extension

Adobe Bridge

• Bridge workspaces
• Image metadata
• Live image captions
• Colour Management via Bridge

Interactive PDFs and e-books

• Add hyperlinks and buttons
• Add bookmarks
• Create a QR code
• Place movies and sounds
• Set up page transitions
• Publish online
• Prepare a document to be an e-book
• e-book export options

Importing

• Import from Word
• Import from Excel

Printing and Exporting

• Create a custom pre-flight setting
• Use the Overprint Preview and Separations Preview panels
• Specify Transparency Flattener settings

Preferences

• Understand InDesign preferences
• Change document and application preferences

Live online training

Online training lets you participate in a live InDesign course from your place of work or home.

We do everything possible to make your online training experience as close as possible to actually being in the classroom. You can:

• See and hear our trainer, and the other delegates participating in the course…
  
• Watch our trainer demonstrate techniques in InDesign.
• Interact by speaking, or using chat.
• Share your screen with our trainer, and allow them to take control to explain something.

Like our in-class courses, online Intermediate/Advanced InDesign courses…

• Are presented by Adobe Certified Instructors.
• Give you plenty of opportunity to carry out assisted, practical exercises using InDesign.
• Offer 30 days’ email support from your trainer.

All you need is an Internet-connected computer with…

• InDesign installed. If you don’t have access to InDesign, we can usually send you a link to fully-functional trial software to download and install.
• A webcam and audio capability. If your computer running InDesign doesn’t have these, you can use a second device, such as another computer or tablet. See Hardware recommendations for live online training for further details.

If there’s anything you’re not sure about we’ll do our best to help you. We won’t, however, be able to assist with your InDesign installation.

We provide everything else…

• Links to download the files, resources, etc. you’ll use in your course.
• A training guide. For most courses, you can choose from a printed copy that we post to you, or a PDF.

In the week before your course, we’ll send you an email containing everything you need to prepare for and participate in the training. Then, a couple of days before your course, we’ll give you a courtesy call to make sure you have everything in place and answer any questions you may have.

Please note that we are not able to record scheduled online courses for privacy reasons.

When you attend live online training, you’re participating in a real course, hosted by a real trainer, in real time

Discounts and bundles

To make your InDesign training as affordable as possible, we offer:

• A discounted InDesign training bundle.
• A range of training discounts on our scheduled (public) InDesign training courses.
• A price guarantee that you won’t get InDesign training for less.

InDesign training bundle

Book:

• Introduction to InDesign (2 days), and
• Intermediate/Advanced InDesign (2 days)

for £695 + VAT (classroom-based) or £595 + VAT (live online training), saving £95 + VAT in both cases.

The bundle price will be applied automatically when you add these two courses to your basket.

Training discounts

Multiple places

If you book multiple places on any courses, we can offer you:

• 5% discount if you book two places.
• 10% discount if you book three places.
• 15% discount if you book four places.
• 20% discount if you book five or more places.

This can be for several people attending one course, one person attending several courses, or a combination.

These discounts are available for both classroom-based courses and live online training.

Concessions

We offer a 10% discount on scheduled InDesign course places to:

• Students, teachers and lecturers.
• People who work for a registered charity.
• ISTC members.

These discounts are available for both classroom-based courses and remote training.

Please call us if you qualify for a discount. Evidence of your status that entitles you to a discount may be requested.

Terms and exclusions

Only one of the above discounts can be applied to any booking.

The above discounts are not available for on-request course bookings (one-to-one training or a ‘closed course’ for your group).

Price guarantee

When you book training with Armada, we want you to be certain that you’re not paying over-the-odds. So, if you book a place on any scheduled (public) course and then find the same course at a lower price elsewhere, we will match that price.

To qualify for the price match:

• The course you find must be comparable. By this we mean it must:
  • Cover the same subject.
  • Be the same duration or longer.
  • For classroom-based courses, be in the same region, i.e. within 50 miles of our centre.
  • For online training, be a live course, i.e. not pre-prepared e-learning content.
• The lower price must be advertised on the other company’s website.

To claim a price match, just call any time before attending your course and tell us where you saw the price.