InDesign

Knolling: Creating Order

Knolling is the practice of arranging objects in parallel or at 90-degree angles on a flat surface, often for aesthetic or organizational purposes, and then photographing the arrangement from above

Picking Hierarchy/Emphasis

Find 7-10 items in your backpack and place them somewhere where you can see it ALL. If you have more than 10, then heck yeah, use them.
Then start picking main piece that scream THIS IS FOR SCHOOL. Now pay attention, is that item one of the following?
- Scale (is it the largest item in your backpack? notebook, laptop?)
- Color or Contrast (is it a folder that is the brightest in the bunch?)
- Style or Shape (do you have a pen or pencil, or item that is uniquely shaped compared to everything else in your backpack?)
With the rest of the items, make sure they stand out in the sense of they are objects that any random person could look at and say "Those are items for school"

Aligning: Building Structure

Now, with those objects that you selected above. Place the piece you decided is the object that has the MOST emphasis. Keep in mind, are you going to formally balance this? Or informally balance this?
Also keep in mind is your "invisible canvas" going to be square? rectangle? obtuse shape?
Once you have placed that main item then start building/organizing the other objects. PAYING ATTENTION TO SPACING between each object!!
Once you are happy with your Knolled Design, take a photo of it and turn it in to TEAMS.

Let's Chat New Software: INDESIGN

Getting Started with InDesign

Go to this link: https://creativecloud.adobe.com/cc/learn/indesign/web/get-started-indesign?locale=en
We're going to run through this together in the Adobe App InDesign
Another link you could use for a quick run down: https://www.lyhstudio.com/blog-2-1/blog-post-title-two-64bfw-7hs3k-alzf6

Step 1: Bubbly Letters (practice)

Go to this link to download exercise files: Exercise Files HERE

General Document Setup

11in. x 8.5in. Portrait Format
2 pages, with “facing pages” checked
Start # = 2
Columns 1, column gutter 0.1667in.
Margins = 0.625 in. all sides
Bleed = 0.125in.
- This is a very important step if you want ANY full bleed images!
- Note that you’ll also have to drag out any images that you want full bleed out to the bleed mark

For written steps go here: Bubbly Letter Written Steps

Step 2: Adding Spiral Text (practice)

Go and download this exercise files for this assignment: Exercise Files HERE

Open InDesign and set it up this way:

General Document Setup

11in. x 8.5in. Portrait Format
3 pages, with “facing pages” checked
Start # = 2
Columns 1, column gutter 0.25in.
Margins = 0.625 in. all sides
Bleed = 0.125in.
- This is a very important step if you want ANY full bleed images!
- Note that you’ll also have to drag out any images that you want full bleed out to the bleed mark

This layout is definitely a bit of a harder one so buckle up and follow along with the video!

For Written Steps Follow this link: Written Steps HERE

Step 3: Clipping Techniques (Practice)

Download exercise files here: Exercise Files HERE

General Document Setup

11in. x 8.5in. Portrait Format
3 pages, with “facing pages” unchecked
Start # = 1
Columns 1, column gutter 0.25in.
Margins = 0.625 in. all sides
Bleed = 0.125in.
- This is a very important step if you want ANY full bleed images!
- Note that you’ll also have to drag out any images that you want full bleed out to the bleed mark

For Written Steps Follow This Link: Written Steps HERE

Step 4: Easy Gradient Shapes (practice)

Click here for exercise files: Exercise Files HERE

General Document Setup:

Photoshop:

11in. x 8.5in. Portrait Format

300 Pixels/inch (You don’t need it this high so feel free to turn it down to 150 or even 100)
RGB 8bit Color
White Background

InDesign

11in. x 8.5in. Portrait Format
2 pages, with “facing pages” checked off
Start # = 1
Columns 1, column gutter 0.25"in.
Margins = 0.5in. all sides
Bleed = 0.125in. all sides
- This is a very important step if you want ANY full bleed images!
- Note that you’ll also have to drag out any images that you want full bleed out to the bleed mark

For Written Steps Click Here: Written Steps HERE

KNOLLING/INDESIGN EVIDENCE PROJECT:

Step 1: Research Knolling poster ideas

Create a Letter sized InDesign Document
Create 4 frames to house 4 images you find on the internet of knolling subjects. This can be anything, but the 4 images need to make sense.
Create a Title and Subtitle for your poster -- play with font
Create Hierarchy in your design using:
1. - Scale
  - Color and/or Contrast
  - Shape and/or Style

Knolling Example

InDesign Poster Ex.

Step 2: Get Knolled & Take your photo

(See below for bonus option step 2)

Pick a passion. What is it? A sport? A movie? A book? Now go find objects that support/show that passion. What objects tie into it? For photography, I'd need the following examples:
- Camera
- Film
- Strap
- Bag
- Battery
- Harness
- Lenses
- Lens Caps
- Flash
- Lens Protectors
Once you've gotten your passion picked, KNOLL your stuff: Take your photo. Make sure it is organized and shows hierarchy, balance, and emphasis.
Make an InDesign doc with your photo.
Create a title and subtitle for your poster, for mine I'd get clever
- Title: Perfectly Composed
- Subtitle: Where every piece helps tell a story
Create Hierarchy in your design.
- Play with font, shape, color, text effects etc,.

Bonus Option: Include yourself in your Knolling

BONUS option: Step 2

Knoll your stuff: Take your photo of material that is a reflection of your passions.
Take a photo of yourself to be cut out and knolled (include yourself in your project)
Make an InDesign doc with your photo.
Create a title and subtitle for your poster
Create Hierarchy in your design
Save as high quality .pdf and submit

Learning Target:

Students will create a structured layout in Adobe InDesign that reflects their personal passions, using knolling techniques, photo placement, visual hierarchy, and emphasis to build a clean, organized composition that communicates meaning through thoughtful design.

Learning Intentions:

I will use knolling (organized, evenly spaced object arrangement) to create a visually balanced and intentional layout.
I will establish a clear visual hierarchy using size, spacing, alignment, and typography to guide the viewer's eye through the design.
I will apply emphasis to key elements that best represent my passion, making them stand out using contrast, scale, or placement.
I will structure my layout using grids, margins, and alignment tools to maintain consistency and professionalism.
I will select and edit photographs that reflect who I am and what I care about, enhancing their meaning through thoughtful placement.
I will experiment with typography and white space to support both clarity and creative expression.
I will reflect my personal interests in a visually compelling way, making design choices that support the message behind my layout.

Standards

2.1 Elements of Design
2.2 Elements of Principles
2.3 Principles of Typography
2.4 Principles and Elements of Design to Layout
3.2 Image Creation and Manipulation
3.2.4 Apply nondestructive image editing techniques such as layering and masking
3.2.5 Practice using different selection tools and techniques to manipulate images.
3.3.1 Use appropriate resolution, compression, and file formats for various media outputs including web, video, audio, and print.
3.4.1 Develop a workflow for a project
3.6 Branding and Corporate Identity.
7.0 Communication Skills
8.0 Editing and Proofreading Skills
10.1.2 Create 2D or 3D works of design in analog and digital formats.

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