1 Adobe InDesign Book That Joel Spolsky Recommends to Boost Your Skills

Robin Williams brings a refreshingly straightforward approach to mastering Adobe InDesign in this guide tailored for those without formal design training. She breaks down complex tools into manageable exercises, teaching you how to create polished print projects like flyers, business cards, and brochures with confidence. The book covers essentials such as image manipulation, typographic techniques, and using style sheets, allowing you to improve your design fluency step by step. If you want to make your marketing materials or presentations look professionally crafted without wading through technical jargon, this book provides practical skills with clarity and patience.

Drawing from over six decades of combined experience, Fiona Raven and Glenna Collett offer a thorough guide that takes you from installing Adobe InDesign to preparing files for print. You’ll learn how to handle diverse text elements—from poetry to tables—refining each part to build a cohesive book design. The authors don’t just stop at interior layout; they dedicate significant attention to cover design, emphasizing the critical role of the back cover in attracting buyers. Plus, the book includes practical publishing insights, helping you navigate decisions like trim size and ISBN registration, making it especially useful for self-publishers and small press designers.

This tailored book explores the essential workflows and design principles of Adobe InDesign with a focus that matches your background and goals. It covers core concepts such as layout optimization, typography finesse, and workflow management while delving into advanced features that elevate your design projects. The book reveals how to navigate InDesign’s tools and functions effectively, unlocking creative possibilities tailored specifically to your skill level and interests. With a personalized approach, it guides you through mastering InDesign in a way that resonates with your unique needs, making complex design techniques accessible and relevant. Whether you're refining print layouts or digital material, this book offers a focused learning experience that bridges expert knowledge with your personal objectives.

Steve Laskevitch, with three decades of teaching and workflow design experience, crafted this book to bring clarity and depth to Adobe InDesign CC users. You’ll find a full course derived from his award-winning curriculum, guiding you through projects ranging from postcards to complex books, emphasizing practical use of typography, color, and layout. The book also includes a comprehensive compendium that digs into the technical details and publishing workflows, serving both as a learning tool and long-term reference. If you seek to master InDesign’s features systematically and enhance your publishing projects, this book offers a structured path with downloadable lesson assets to reinforce your skills.

Nigel French brings his extensive experience as a graphic designer and creative trainer to this detailed exploration of typography within Adobe InDesign. The book guides you through mastering character and paragraph formatting, styles, effects, and layouts, equipping you to create polished type for both print and digital platforms. You’ll find practical examples and insightful tips that clarify complex features, including the latest Creative Cloud enhancements. This resource suits designers and students aiming to elevate their typographic skills specifically in InDesign’s environment, offering a focused approach rather than broad design theory.

Drawing from the collective expertise of the Adobe Creative Team, this official training workbook distills the essentials of Adobe InDesign CS4 into 14 focused lessons. You’ll learn how to master page layout fundamentals, work with typography and color, create tables, and use styles effectively. The book guides you through designing professional-quality magazines, newsletters, and brochures, as well as preparing files for high-resolution printing and interactive PDFs. If you want clear, practical guidance from the very source behind the software, this book gives you hands-on skills without unnecessary complexity.

This tailored book offers a focused, step-by-step plan designed to accelerate your Adobe InDesign skills within 30 days. It explores core InDesign features, practical layout techniques, and typography essentials, all aligned with your experience and goals. By concentrating on what matters most to you, this personalized guide helps you navigate the complexities of InDesign efficiently and confidently. The book examines real-world scenarios and project examples that match your background, providing a clear path from fundamentals to advanced skills. Through this tailored approach, you gain a deep understanding of InDesign’s tools and capabilities, empowering you to produce professional-quality designs tailored to your creative needs.

Unlike most Adobe InDesign books that dive straight into complex features, Tina DeJarld and Kelly Anton focus on guiding you through project-based lessons that build practical skills from the ground up. You'll learn how to manage typography, color, layout, and document construction through real-world tasks like creating postcards and interactive PDFs with form fields. Each chapter is designed to gradually increase your proficiency, making this a solid resource if you're starting out or want to strengthen foundational techniques. The inclusion of companion files and web resources helps you apply what you learn immediately, though experienced users might find some sections basic.

John Cruise, an Adobe Certified Instructor with years of teaching experience, brings a practical and clear approach to mastering InDesign CS6 in this workbook. You get hands-on lessons that cover everything from basic page layout skills to advanced tasks like adding PDF form fields and creating alternative digital layouts. The book’s 16 project-based chapters let you work through real examples, making it easier to absorb the software’s features. If you're aiming to build solid skills in InDesign or update your knowledge with its latest tools, this book guides you steadily without overwhelming jargon.

Kelly Kordes Anton draws on decades of publishing expertise to guide you through Adobe InDesign CC with a hands-on approach rooted in practical projects. You learn foundational skills like typography, page layout, and document construction across 15 lessons, enabling you to create everything from postcards to interactive PDFs. The book balances beginner-friendly instruction with advanced techniques, so whether you’re new or looking to sharpen your workflow, you get clear insights on best practices and new Creative Cloud features. For example, the inclusion of form field creation in PDFs reveals how the book goes beyond basics to address real design needs.