Editorial Design Course

Lesson 1 • The Editorial Design Profession

Defines the technician's role within publishing pipelines and creative teams. Establishes professional expectations and daily responsibilities.

Lesson 2 • Visual Communication Fundamentals

Introduces how images, type, and space communicate meaning to readers. Grounds all subsequent design decisions in communication theory.

Lesson 3 • Industry Terminology and Standards

Introduces standard editorial vocabulary used across print and digital contexts. Accurate terminology enables clear communication with editors and printers.

Lesson 1 • Typographic Hierarchy and Structure

Teaches headline, subhead, body, and caption relationships that guide reader flow. Hierarchy decisions directly affect comprehension and pacing.

Lesson 2 • Type Classification and Selection

Surveys typeface categories and their editorial applications. Correct classification guides appropriate font pairing decisions.

Lesson 3 • Spacing, Kerning, and Leading

Covers micro-typographic adjustments that affect readability and professional finish. Students correct common spacing errors in editorial copy.

Lesson 4 • Typographic Consistency Across Issues

Establishes type style sheets and master character formats for repeatable results. Consistency across issues reinforces publication brand identity.

Lesson 1 • Applying Grids to Spreads

Demonstrates how to place text, images, and white space within a grid on facing pages. Students produce balanced, professional-looking spreads.

Lesson 2 • Grid Theory and History

Traces the development of grid systems from print tradition to modern digital use. Historical context clarifies why grids improve editorial consistency.

Lesson 3 • Flexible Grids for Mixed Content

Adapts grid structures to accommodate infographics, photo essays, and long-form text. Flexibility prevents rigid layouts from limiting editorial storytelling.

Lesson 1 • Building Editorial Color Palettes

Teaches palette construction using complementary, analogous, and triadic schemes. Palettes must support readability and reinforce publication identity.

Lesson 2 • Color and Readability

Examines contrast ratios and background-foreground relationships for accessible design. Readability standards apply equally to print and digital editorial formats.

Lesson 3 • Color Consistency and Proofing

Covers color management workflows, soft proofing, and press-ready color verification. Consistent color across issues builds reader trust and brand recognition.

Lesson 1 • Image Resolution and File Formats

Establishes resolution requirements for print and digital editorial output. Correct resolution and format selection prevent quality loss at reproduction.

Lesson 2 • Image Placement and Linking in Layouts

Manages linked vs. embedded images within layout software for production efficiency. Proper linking prevents missing-image errors at output.

Lesson 3 • Retouching and Cleanup Techniques

Covers spot healing, cloning, and non-destructive retouching for editorial images. Ethical retouching boundaries in journalism and editorial contexts are addressed.

Lesson 4 • Cropping and Composition for Layouts

Applies cropping decisions to serve editorial narrative and grid alignment. Students evaluate image composition within the context of the full spread.

Lesson 1 • Assembling Text and Image Frames

Builds layouts by placing and linking text and image frames within the grid. Frame management skills directly affect production speed and accuracy.

Lesson 2 • Long-Document Navigation and Management

Manages books, sections, and page numbering across multi-issue editorial projects. Efficient navigation prevents errors in large-scale publication production.

Lesson 3 • Preflight and Quality Checks

Runs preflight checks to catch errors before output, including font, image, and color issues. Systematic quality checks are the final gate before file delivery.

Lesson 4 • Document Setup and Templates

Configures document settings, master pages, and reusable templates for efficient production. Templates reduce setup time and enforce design consistency across issues.

Lesson 1 • Print Production Fundamentals

Explains offset, digital, and large-format printing processes relevant to editorial work. Understanding print methods informs file preparation decisions.

Lesson 2 • PDF Export and Specifications

Produces press-quality and screen-optimized PDFs using correct export presets. PDF standards vary by output destination and must be matched precisely.

Lesson 3 • Paper, Binding, and Finishing

Introduces paper stocks, binding methods, and finishing options that affect editorial design. Material choices influence layout decisions and reader experience.

Lesson 4 • Proofing and Press Approval

Guides students through digital and physical proofing stages before press approval. Proofing catches color, content, and layout errors before full print runs.

Lesson 1 • Adapting Print Layouts for Screen

Converts print-optimized layouts to screen-friendly versions without losing editorial intent. Adaptation requires rethinking typography, color, and image sizing.

Lesson 2 • Exporting and Distributing Digital Editions

Covers export workflows for EPUB, interactive PDF, and platform-specific digital formats. Correct export settings ensure compatibility across devices and storefronts.

Lesson 3 • Accessibility in Digital Editorial Design

Applies accessibility standards to digital publications for inclusive reader experiences. Accessible design expands audience reach and meets publishing obligations.

Lesson 4 • Interactive Elements in Digital Editions

Adds hyperlinks, slideshows, video placeholders, and navigation to digital editorial files. Interactivity enhances reader engagement without disrupting editorial flow.