The Art of Sneaky Teaching with Print Projects

Presented by Jerry SmithOffice Technology InstructorBreathitt Area Tech Center

Keep It RealEven the best software tools mean nothing

without a distinct purposeLearning to use the software is secondaryThe best way to achieve a thorough

understanding of Desktop Publishing is with good projects

PromotionsTreat DP as a print promotions classGood promotions focus on specific marketsGood projects force the students to consider

the audience!

Presentation Road MapThe tools I useTask ListProjects

FlyersBrochuresMagazine

Covers/AdsBannersPostersCalendars

Children’s BookNewslettersCD Labels/CoversLetterheadsOrder

Forms/Invoices

The Tools I UseAdobe Indesign CSIndesign CS Classroom in a BookAdobe PhotoshopDigital CameraScannerMS WordGoogle/Yahoo Images (Internet)Imagination!

A Word on Microsoft PublisherPros

Lots of professional looking templatesInterface is very familiar (Microsoft Created)Slim learning curve

ConsUnderpoweredHome-CentricPoor images editing/manipulationCookie-cutter documents

FlyersStudents get their feet wetMost basic tools can be learnedSmall in size and scope to help build

confidenceExtremely customizable

Example FlyersYard Sale (frames)

Lost Dog (graphic frames)

House for Sale (5 w’s)

Grand Opening (shapes)

Dr./Dentist/Laywer Office

Local Festivals (drawing tools)

Most Wanted (digital camera)

Concert PromotionWrestling Promotion

BrochuresAdvanced layout techniquesCan contain lots of content

Students do the writingMore difficult

Example BrochuresCompanyTheme ResortCareer

Using the online Occupational Outlook Handbook

Magazine Covers/AdsExtremely market (audience)-centricFictitious Magazine Cover targets students

unique interestsForces students to put a great deal of

information into a small spaceAds force students to consider interests of

target markets and not just themselves

Example Magazine Covers/AdsCovers

Fictions Theme Magazine

AdsCola Marketing

Teens Baby boomers

Stickman action figures Students draw

poseable stickmen using drawing tools

Ad is meant for boys and girls

BannersGreat way to foster community involvement

Local FestivalsKiwanisParadesCharity Events

Requires large format printer (or plotter)

PostersAlso fosters community involvementPower Verbs poster for local grade schoolsAdvertising for school events

Car ShowOpen HouseSchool Schedules

As with banners, requires large format printer

CalendarsUltimate project for learning tablesCalendar for October, November, December

because all the holidaysIn Indesign, tables are non-intuitive

Children’s BookStudents create a children’s book based on

images they find in clipart or on the InternetSections, pagination options, & master pagesUsually 6-8 pages, less than 100 words per

page

Technical ManualStudents create a technical manual for a

simple taski.e. make a peanut butter sandwich, shaving

Utilizes complex book featuresIndexing, glossary, etc.

Students draw illustrations on paper, scan them, and import them into the manual

NewslettersExcellent group projectsCovers all task lists items dealing with

columnsCan be simple or complex

Syndicated NewsletterGroup ProjectMini-NewspaperSplit students into groups of threeHave them go to news sites with AP articles

and “syndicate” some of the contentGossip column, headline stories, horoscopes,

sports, weather, etc.

Newsletter (cont.)Any content that does not fit must be

shortened to fit in the allotted amount of space

Students work together to create character and paragraph styles, pick a color scheme, and layout

At the end of the projects, team members rate one another

CD CoversStudents create a band, then create the front,

inside, and outside cover for a CD caseSmaller form-factor projectThe band info sheet helps students learn how

to associate ideas with imagery

Letterheads & InvoicesThe beginnings of DPLetterheads are not complexInvoices, timesheets, etc. are usually very

complexUsually give students a vanilla copy of an

invoice which they must mimic and customize

Photoshop RemarksNumber 1 most important skill: Cutting

images outOnline tutorials work fine

http://www.good-tutorials.comChoose carefully as some are not well writtenPlay with Photoshop yourself

If you can’t do it blindfolded, how can you teach your kids?

Some Photoshop Tutorial SuggestionsCreate fire textSplice multiple pictures togetherModel “air brushing”CollageTexture filters

Things to RememberWalk around the room continuously while the

students work on projectsRemind students of techniques they have

learnedSometimes, point out a design flaw

Not always, since students learn from mistakesIf a project is going bad, stop and re-

introduce in another way

Things to Remember (cont.)Be patient

You didn’t learn DP in one dayNobody is perfect

Use constructive criticismDon’t make fun of a student’s work

Push, push, push the students to stay on taskWhen a student does good work with good

designs, make a HUGE deal out of it

Thank You!

Any Questions?