Get to know Adobe InDesign by creating a calendar

Sure you can use the Calendar Wizard plugin to create a calendar using Adobe InDesign, but will you learn the program? If you are new to Adobe InDesign, there is no better way to learn the software than to jump in and start using the program. I have been teaching students Adobe InDesign for years and the best method I have found, is for students to manually create a calendar. This project will require you to work with text frames, graphic frames, the pages palette and text formatting. By creating a calender, you will learn many of the tools and navigation of the interface within Adobe InDesign. This project will allow you familiarize yourself with InDesign's tools and interface. After completing this calendar project you will have a higher retention of the software's tools and layout techniques due to the repetitive processes and layout grids that make up a typical calendar design.

Below is a video tutorial that will walk you through how to manually setup a calendar with Adobe InDesign.

Advertisement Layout

Above is a link to the start image for the Background Layout.
Here is the Flickr short link for the photo: https://flic.kr/p/pR6xZZ

Below is Part I (Photohsop):


Below is Part II (inDesign):

Create Repitition and Rhythm using Adobe Illustrator Patterns.

Below is a great tutorial showing how to create patterns with Adobe Illustrator:



Here is the hyperlink:
http://tv.adobe.com/watch/visual-design-cs6/creating-a-simple-pattern/

Here is another link explaining the design principle "Rythem":http://www.sophia.org/tutorials/design-in-art-repetition-pattern-and-rhythm

Use Adobe Illustrator to create several 12" x 12" patterns. Take it another step and create an emphasis or focus for the pattern composition.