Dog Grooming Bundle (2 Courses)

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Embark on a journey to establish your thriving dog grooming business - Take advantage of 2 comprehensive courses!

"This Dog Grooming course has meant so much to me! I’ve since been employed from starting the course and am now clipping dogs! I never wanted this course to end! Highly recommended this course and all it has to offer. This one truly is the best!! You won’t be disappointed and you can start a new career out of it!" - Sammy Wilson

If you've been nurturing the idea of becoming a skilled dog groomer for some time, then enrolling in this professional dog grooming bundle will help turn your aspirations into reality. This ICOES Accredited Dog Grooming Bundle will save you hundreds by combining two highly sought-after courses. This bundle includes our Dog Grooming Diploma (RRP $1,198) and the Dog Behaviour and Training Course (RRP $449). 

Establishing a successful dog grooming business hinges on earning the trust and confidence of your customers. This is where studying Dog Behaviour and Training in addition to the Dog Grooming Diploma becomes invaluable. Gaining a comprehensive understanding of how dogs learn and think, delving into their genetics and anatomy, and arming yourself with indispensable knowledge. As a professional dog groomer, you will find yourself educating your clients, and your confidence and expertise will undoubtedly keep them coming back for more.  

Benefit from the guidance of our expert mentors who will teach you various styling, clipping and stripping techniques. Additionally, explore the world of ANKC breed groups and master breed-specific grooming approaches. With an array of coat types and body shapes, ranging from drop coats to long haired breeds, you will learn the art of combining different styling techniques to deliver impeccable grooming results for any dog breed.

Graduates of this course excel in the industry and have achieved great success, with many starting and growing their own thriving grooming businesses.

How You Learn?

You will master the art of grooming all dog breeds by focusing on four essential skills: shaping the head, body, legs/feet, and tail. Through a comprehensive approach, you will gain a deep understanding of each dog's unique shape, encompassing breed standards, coat type, anatomy, and lifestyle. By adeptly combining and matching grooming techniques, you will tailor your approach to suit each individual dog, ensuring a well-rounded and effective grooming proficiency.

One of the unique features of this course is that it's 100% online, meaning that you can study at your own pace, without any deadlines. There is no placement or classroom attendance required. We understand that everyone has different schedules, so provide 24/7 unlimited access to detailed lessons, video tutorials, and carefully designed assessments mentored by our expert groomer, Hannah Grice. Check out a course demo.

Whats Included?
  • 2 Professional Qualifications
  • Interactive Online Lessons
  • On Demand Video Tutorials
  • Downloadable Templates & Resources
  • Lesson Notes
  • Quizzes & Practical Tasks
  • Facebook Marketing ebook
  • Graded Assessments
  • Lifetime Access
  • Expert Grooming Mentor
  • Personalised Feedback
  • 24 Hour Support
  • Membership to our Exclusive Dog Grooming Community
  • Professional Certificate Upon Completion
  • Internationally Accredited by ICOES 

What Sets Us Apart?

A distinctive feature of our course lies in the outcomes of our students. We take great pride in sharing the stories of individuals who have not only completed our course but have also established their own thriving dog grooming businesses. We are proud of these success stories as they serve as a testament to the effectiveness of our course, as do our reviews on Trust Pilot.

Jodi Gooding

I love dogs and always wanted to be a groomer!

I started out by grooming friends and families dogs and now have my own beautiful grooming salon at home.

Why Choose Vibe

  • Proven Track Record
  • 100% Online Learning Experience
  • Expert Mentors to Guide You
  • Business Training You Can Use
  • No Additional or Hidden Fees
Why choose Vibe Learning

Certification and Accreditation

Accredited and Industry Endorsed

Our Professional Dog Grooming Diploma and Dog Behaviour and Training are internationally accredited by ICOES.

Vibe Learning went through a rigorous evaluation and audit of these courses to gain accreditation. Having ICOES accreditation guarantees you will receive a high standard of content that has undergone evaluation by an independent organisation, ensuring it's quality and credibility.

Course Modules

  • The Evolution of Dogs
  • Understanding Candids
  • Dogs v Wolves
  • From Wild to Best Friend: Dog Domestication
  • Dog Breeds: Exploring Their Diversity

  • Decoding Dog Genes
  • Breeding Better: Nature vs. Human Influence
  • The Gene Pool: How Genetics Shape Breeds
  • Predicting Traits: Understanding Gene Probability
  • Personality Blueprint: Breeding for Temperament
  • Gene Showdown: Dominance vs. Recessiveness
  • Breeding Wisely: The Dangers of Inbreeding
  • Crafting Canines: The Art of Selective Breeding
  • Healthy Hounds: Genetics and Well-being
  • Innate Instincts: Nature vs. Nurture in Dogs

  • Canine Classifications
  • Breed Standards
  • Breed Membership Requirements
  • Breed Groups Explained
    • Toys
    • Terriers
    • Gundogs
    • Hounds
    • Working Dogs
    • Utility Dogs
    • Non-Sporting
  • Designer Dogs
  • Mixed Breeds

  • The Five Senses
    • Smell
    • Hearing
    • Taste
    • Touch
    • Sight
  • Skin and Fur
  • The Musculoskeletal System
  • The Circulatory System
  • The Heart
  • The Lymphatic System
  • The Digestive, Respiratory and Urinary Systems

  • The Nervous System
  • The Automatic Nervous System
  • Nerves and Neurons
  • The Spinal Cord
  • The Brain
  • Endocrine System Overview
  • Hormones Effect on the Brain

  • Canine Nutrition
    • Proteins
    • Starch
    • Fibre
    • Fats
    • Minerals
    • Vitamins
    • Water
  • Feeding According to a Dogs Needs
  • Older Dogs
  • Identifying Health Concerns
  • Common Dog Diseases
  • Dog First Aid & CPR

  • The Puppy Years
  • Socialising Puppies
  • Puppy Training
  • The Reproductive Years
    • Puperty in Males
    • Puperty in Females
    • Mating
    • Pregnancy
    • Whelping
    • Nursing
    • Weaning
  • The Adult Years
  • Older Dogs

  • Understanding The Domestication Effect
  • Canine Connections: Exploring Hierarchy and Socialisation
  • Puppy Independence: Navigating the Detachment Phase
  • Addressing Separation Anxiety in Dogs
  • Desensitisation Techniques for Dogs
  • Strategies for Managing Aggressive Behavior in Dogs
  • Hierarchial Aggression
  • Unpacking Mounting Behaviour
  • Insights into Territorial Aggression in Dogs
  • Understanding Predatory Aggression
  • Decoding Submissive Body Language in Dogs
  • Submissive Body Signs
  • Investigating Marking Territory in Dogs
  • Exploring Feeding Behaviour in Dogs

  • Explore How Dogs Think
  • How Do Dogs Learn
  • Understanding Associative and Non-Associative Learning in Dogs
    • Habituation
    • Sensitisation
    • Classical Learning
    • Operative Learning
  • Positive/Negative Reinforcement
  • Positive/Negative Punishment
  • Adapting Your Approach to Meet Your Dogs Learning Style
  • Navigating Reinforcement and Correction in Dog Training
  • The Art of Timing
  • Debunking Common Misconceptions abuot Canine Learning

  • Training Techniques
    • The Koehler Method
    • Dominance Based Training
    • Model-rival Training
    • Relationship-Based Training
    • Motivational Training
    • Clicker Training
    • Scientific Training
  • Basic Commands
    • Sit
    • Lie Down
    • Recall

  • Types of Disorders
    • Aggression
    • Fears and Phobias
    • Destructive Beahviours
    • Abnormal Repetitive Behaviours
    • Elimination Related Behaviour
    • Eating Disorders
  • Correcting Unwanted Behaviours
    • Separation Anxiety
    • Chewing
    • Food Aggression
    • Excessive Whining
    • Jumping
    • Biting, Mouthing and Nipping

  • General Obedience Training : Your Dog Training School
  • Dog Trainer v Dog Behaviourist
  • Specialised Dog Training Careers
    • Training Dogs for people with Disabilities
    • Training Rescue/Emergency Dogs
    • Training for the Entertainment Industry
    • Training Dogs for Militart and law Enforcement
    • Training Dogs for Sport
    • Training Disabled Dogs
  • Become a Dog Walker or Pet Sitter
  • Working in Doggy Cay Care or Boarding Kennels
  • Dog Photography Careers

The final assessment serves as a comprehensive evaluation of the knowledge and skills acquired in this Certificate.

The assessment consists of 40 short-answer questions. These questions aim to gauge your your ability to apply knowledge and techniques learned throughout the modules. Your responses will be submitted to the course mentor for grading and constructive feedback.

Consider the following 3 example questions:

  1. Your dog stops barking at the school bus that drives past every morning. This is an example of what kind of non-associative learning?
  2. The nervous system is made up of the central and peripheral nervous systems. What are each of those components made up of?
  3. If your dog constantly whines to get your attention, what steps can you take to correct it?

  • Careers in Dog Grooming
  • Grooming Image, Uniform and Presentation
  • Scissors
  • Clippers
  • Nail Clippers
  • Grooming Tables
  • Bathing and Drying Zone
  • Shedding Aids
  • Brushes
  • Combs
  • Commercial Dryers and Blasters
  • First Aid, Bandages and Antiseptics
  • Understanding Blade Sizes
  • Guard Combs
  • Shampoo, Conditioner and Doedorants
  • Comprehensive Equipment Checklist

Resources:

Blade Size Chart
Equipment Checklist
Scissors Reference Guide
Revision Quiz
Practical Task

  • Natural and Artificial Selection
  • ANKC Breed Groups
  • Understanding Breed Groups For Grooming
  • Nature and Nurture in Dog Behaviour
  • Canine Signals and Body Language
  • Training Techniques on the Grooming Table
  • Effective Canine Communication
  • Dog Training Principles and Techniques
  • Handling Aggressive Dogs
  • Handling Fearful Dogs
  • First Aid for Burns, Scalds, and Cuts

Resources:

The Five Freedoms Poster
Revision Quiz
Practical Task

  • Canine Anatomy
  • Muscles and Head Structure
  • Head Shape
  • The Skeleton
  • Parasites, Zoonosis, and the Immune System
  • Identifying and Preventing Canine Disease
  • Infectious Diseases and Vaccination
  • Skin Disorders and Allergies in Dogs
  • Muscle Groups
  • Cleanliness and Disinfection in Grooming
  • Lumps, Bumps, and Warts in Canines

Resources:

Muscle Groups Print Out
Topographical Anatomy Diagram
Canine Disease Chart
Revision Quiz
Practical Task

This assessment consists of 25 short-answer questions. Your responses will be submitted to the course mentor for grading and constructive feedback.

Example questions:

Question 1: Describe and explain the type of clipper blade you would choose for simultaneously clipping a dog and thinning out a thick undercoat. 
Question 2: Outline the steps you would take if a dog in your care collapses while being bathed.
Question 3: A dog is exhibiting symptoms such as appetite loss, coughing, diarrhea, severe eye problems, and stomach pain. Discuss the actions you would take, identify the potential illness, and explain the reasons behind your diagnosis.

  • Health Assessment
  • Pre-Grooming Steps
  • Perfecting Head Shapes
  • Strategic Grooming Preparations
  • Ear Cleaning Techniques
  • Mastering Nail Clipping 
  • Teeth Cleaning Procedures
  • Pad Trimming Methods
  • Tailoring Health Assessments 
  • Addressing Dental Health
  • Care for Anal and Genital Areas
  • Step-by-Step Guide Bathing Guide

Resource:

Individual Dog Health Assessment Template
Revision Quiz
Practical Task

  • Owner Expectations and Needs
  • Understanding Coat Types for Optimal Styling
  • Genetic Influences on Grooming
  • Developing Your Unique Grooming Style
  • Grooming Mixed Breeds
  • Drying Techniques
  • Stretch Drying
  • Fluff Drying
  • Smooth Drying
  • Blasting
  • Towel Drying
  • Precision Scissoring Techniques
  • Clipper Handling

Resources:

Revision Quiz
Practical Task

  • Observational Skills
  • Varieties in Head Shapes
  • Spherical, Egg, and Rectangular Head Shapes
  • Understanding Body Shapes for Styling
  • Eyebrow and Beard Styling Techniques
  • Perfecting the Topknot
  • Tail and Feet Styling
  • Ear Clipping
  • Carding
  • Hygiene Clipping
  • Practical Styling and Clipping
  • Specific Styling Needs
  • Puppy Grooming
  • Hand Stripping and Plucking

Resources:

Cavoodle Head Video Tutorial with Hannah Grice
Revision Quiz
Practical Task

This assessment consists of 25 short-answer questions. Your responses will be submitted to the course mentor for grading and constructive feedback.

Example questions:

Question 1:  How would you prepare a double coated, heavily shedding, dog for the bath?
Question 2: Choose three wool coated dogs and briefly describe how you would style them?
Question 3: How would you stretch dry a dog’s coat, describe the process from directly after the bath to finish?

  • Mastering Poodle and Show Styling
  • Understanding the Poodle Coat
  • Corded Coat Grooming
  • Training The Coat
  • Show Poodle Presentation
  • Poodle Colouring
  • Styling For Poodles: Head, Ears, Body, Legs, Feet, Blending, Tail
  • The Perfect Poodle Pet Clip
  • Grooming Different Coat Textures: Fluff or Curl
  • Polished Fluff Drying
  • Poodle Facial Styling
  • Muzzle and Throat
  • Topknot Design
  • Health Check and Pre-Work for Poodles
  • Grooming Poodle Cross Breeds
  • Coat Preparation
  • Advanced Styling
  • Sculpting the Spherical Head

Resources:

The Poodle TopKnot Video Tutorial with Hannah Grice
Revision Quiz
Practical Task

  • Precision Grooming for Terrier Breeds
  • Styling for Terriers: Legs, Feet, Tail, Body, Head
  • Techniques for Short and Long-Haired Terriers
  • Grooming Terrier Crosses
  • Terrier Body and Head
  • Customising the Groom to the Dogs Shape, Anatomy and Lifetyle;
    • Airedale
    • Australian Terrier
    • Silky Australian
    • Bedlington
    • Border
    • Cairn
    • Dandle Dinmont
    • Irish
    • Kerry Blue
    • Schnauzer
    • Yorkshire Terrier

Resources:

Revision Quiz
Practical Task

  • Body, Head, Legs, Feet and Tail Approach
  • Grooming Drop Coats
  • Grooming Toy Breeds
    • Yorkshire Terrier
    • Shih Tzu
    • Havanese
    • Maltese
  • Natural Coat Care for Toy Breeds
    • Japanese Chin
    • Papillion
    • Pomeranian
    • Chihuahua
  • Precision Grooming for Gundogs
  • Grooming Medium-Long-Haired Breeds
    • Retrievers
    • Setters
    • Spaniels
  • Long and Thick Coats
  • Curly Coats
  • Hound Grooming
    • Afghan
    • Greyhound
  • Grooming Short-Haired and Wire Coats
    • Hungarian Vizla
    • Weimaraner
    • German Short Haird Pointer
    • Italian Spinone
    • Pointing Griffon
    • Wirehaired Dachshund
  • Grooming Double and Thick Coats
    • Spitz
    • Siberian Husky
    • Saint Bernard
    • Newfoundland
    • Japanese Akita
    • Smooth/Rough Collie
    • Chow Chow
    • Bernese Mountain Dog

Resources:

Revision Quiz
Practical Task

This assessment consists of 25 short-answer questions. Your responses will be submitted to the course mentor for grading and constructive feedback.

Example questions:

Question 1: How should a poodle Topknot be styled?
Question 2: Draw a Diagram or adapt a photograph showing the blending points and head shape of a Bichon Frise in pet cut? 
Question 3: What is breed specific about the head of a Bedlington Terrier?

  • Elevating Customer Service
  • Professionalism and Customer Relations
  • Effective Communication Strategies
  • Active Listening Skills
  • Telephone Etiquette
  • Asking Thoughtful Questions
  • Strengthening Canine-Human Relationship
  • Confidence-Building Techniques
  • Creating Customer Loyalty
  • Expanding Your Clientele
  • Ethical Business Practices
  • Rewarding Customer Loyalty
  • Managing Challenging Interactions
  • Difficult Customers
  • Developing Assertiveness


Resources:

Revision Quiz
Practical Task

  • Launching Your Grooming Business
  • Mobile Grooming Business Setup
  • Exploring Franchise Options
  • Home-Based Grooming Guide
  • Salon Setup Essentials
  • Business Set-Up Checklists
  • Effective Record-Keeping
  • Data Protection Measures
  • Payment Handling
  • Financial Management Tips
  • Health and Safety Priorities
  • Choosing Insurance for Your Grooming Business

Resources:

Revision Quiz
Practical Task

  • Your Dog Grooming Business Identity
  • Choosing Your Slogan
  • What is Your Business Definition
  • Your Comprehensive Business Plan
  • Strategic Income Projection Development
  • Market Research Essentials
  • Online Presence
  • Marketing and SEO Tactics
  • Leveraging Social Media
  • Create Effective Marketing Materials
  • Creating a Website
  • Blogging for Business Visibility
  • Service-Oriented Marketing Techniques
  • Professional Growth and Development

Resources:

Business Plan Template
Income Projection Template
Revision Quiz
Practical Task

This assessment consists of 25 short-answer questions. Your responses will be submitted to the course mentor for grading and constructive feedback.

Example questions:

Question 1: What are the points that need to be considered when setting prices?
Question 2: State the basic insurance cover needed by dog groomers.
Question 3: What is SEO?

Introducing the "At Home With Lisa Video Series," featuring insightful video tutorials by professional dog groomer, Lisa. 

Explore essential topics such as;

Lisa's Grooming Journey
Lisa's Grooming Tools
Lisa's Grooming Equipment
Establishing Your Business
Insurance Tips With Lisa

This on-demand video series offers a firsthand perspective, enriching your knowledge and providing practical tips for those aspiring to thrive in the world of dog grooming entrepreneurship.

Course Mentor

Professional Groomer, Hannah Grice
Hannah Grice

"I'm always here to help and am very easy to approach."

Meet Hannah Grice, the passionate owner and head groomer behind The Dog House, a charming boutique dog grooming establishment. With a wealth of experience and accolades under her belt, Hannah's journey into the world of grooming began with her beloved Poodles, Ivy and Raven, who not only stole her heart but also propelled her to success in grooming and obedience competitions.

Certified and mentored by renowned groomers like Tiarne Perkiss and Christine Speerin, Hannah brings a unique blend of expertise and enthusiasm to her teaching endeavors. Whether guiding students through our online courses or presenting grooming video tutorials, she ensures a supportive and constructive learning environment every step of the way.

Read Hannah Grice's Profile

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, we offer a 7-day money-back guarantee. During that time, you'll have access to all the materials. If you decide the course isn't right for you, just send us an email to get a full refund.

We provide lifetime access! This course is designed for self-paced learning, which means you have the freedom to study on your own schedule.

There are no time limits or deadlines, and you have 24/7 access to the course. You'll have all the flexibility and convenience to balance your studies with other commitments.

Yes, our dog grooming and dog behaviour courses are accredited by the International Council for Online Educational Standards (ICOES). This is a private, industry-led course accredited by ICOES. It is not a nationally recognised AQF qualification. Vibe Learning is not an RTO.

You can find more information about ICOES on their website here.

It's important to note that the field of dog grooming is currently unregulated, meaning there is no government-mandated certificate required to qualify you as a dog groomer. While formal certification may not be a legal prerequisite, we strongly believe in the value of professional training for anyone offering grooming services.

While you may not need a formal certificate to work as a groomer, our commitment is to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and mentorship needed to excel in this unregulated but highly rewarding industry. Vibe Learning is not an RTO.

Yes there are short-answer assessments which you will submit to your course mentor. Additionally there are multiple choice quizzes that you can complete as many times as you need to.

These assessments will help you understand the material and will reinforce your learning. There are no deadlines on any of the assessments.

Practical tasks are provided as an option and can be completed from home. These tasks are an opportunity to gain vital-hands on experience with a variety of dog breed and coat types. As with all assessments, you will have the freedom to complete these at your own pace. There is no placement required.
Most of our students start out by practicing on their own or friends and familes dogs. Over time students begin to advertise in their local area for models in places such as local dog park groups, notice boards and rescue centres. The great thing about starting out this way is that once your confidence builds and you're ready to start charging for grooms, you'll already have a growing client list.

No, there's no need to buy equipment before enrolling in the course. The practical tasks in the course are optional, and if you choose to complete them, you'll only need basic supplies.

Yes, we've partnered with Artemis Grooming Supplies, one of the top pet grooming supplies distributors in Australia, to offer our students up to 20% off on grooming supplies. So, you can get everything you need at a discounted price if and when you need it.

Yes, we offer interest free payment plans for just $25 per week.

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$25 per week for 32 weeks
total cost $800
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Hassle Free 7-Day Money Back Guarantee

We stand by the quality of our online courses, and to ensure your satisfaction, we offer a hassle-free 7-day money-back guarantee. This means you'll have an entire week to explore all the course materials. If, within that time frame, you find that the course doesn't align with your expectations or learning goals, simply shoot us an email, and we'll process a full refund for you.

We believe in the value our course provides, but we also understand that it might not be the perfect fit for everyone. Your satisfaction is our priority, and we want you to feel confident in your investment with us.

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Our Values

Learn At Your Own Pace

We believe in personalised learning. That's why we provide all the tools and support you need to succeed at your own pace. With flexible learning, you'll stay motivated and retain more information. Plus, you can balance your studies with work and family commitments to make your dreams a reality.

We Won't Break The Bank

Education should be accessible to anyone who wants to learn. That's why we offer some of the most competitive prices in the industry with payments plans for just $25 per week. Investing in your future is a smart choice and doesn’t have to break the bank.

Industry-Led Courses

There's no better way to learn than from experts with years of experience in your field. That's why each of our 200+ industry-led courses are designed to give you a real-life perspective on your industry. With our expert mentors, you'll learn from people who have a wealth of knowledge and experience, and who are passionate about sharing it with you.

Get The Personal Support You Deserve

At Vibe Learning, we're real people who are dedicated to providing you with personal support every step of the way. Our industry experts are not only professional and knowledgeable but also incredibly passionate about sharing their expertise with you. With their guidance, you'll gain invaluable insights and practical knowledge to help you succeed.

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Check out the following courses related to Dog Grooming Bundle (2 Courses):

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InDesign CS6 Fundamentals

Picture of InDesign CS6 Fundamentals
Quick Facts
  • Delivery Method Online
  • Professional Certificate
  • 24hrs Suggested Study Time
  • 3 Months Access
  • Tutor Support
  • Study On Any Device
  • 818 Students

Learn how to use Adobe InDesign CS6, the industry-standard desktop publishing software program, to design professional-quality letterheads, brochures, eBooks, and more.

In this Adobe InDesign CS6 class, you'll get hands-on desktop publishing training and come away knowing how to use this popular page layout software program to design and create professional-quality letterhead, business cards, brochures, PDF files that play movies, and more. You'll discover that you don't have to be a designer or an artist to produce professional-quality documents!

In each lesson, we'll cover an important aspect of InDesign CS6 as you prepare a range of print and online products for Natalie, the fictional owner of Natalie's Nautical Emporium. You'll get dozens of files to use in the lessons—partially completed InDesign files, as well as the graphics, images, fonts, and other content required for the project. And to check your work or troubleshoot any problems you encounter, you'll always get a copy of the finished InDesign project file.

Lesson by lesson, you'll explore the best ways to use the features in this program to create different types of material, how to organize and name your files, and how to reuse items such as colors and artwork. By the time you finish the course, you'll not only be comfortable with the tools and features that InDesign CS6 offers, you'll also know the most efficient ways to use the program to produce the materials you need for your own work, recreation, or hobbies.

 

Courses are delivered to you through expertly executed lessons, online instruction and interaction with like-minded students. Our courses are designed to deliver all of the benefits of studying in a classroom whilst giving you the flexibility to study at a time and place to suit your needs. You can access your classroom 24/7 from any device with an internet connection.

This course has a 3 month duration. You'll complete comprehensive lessons, quizzes and assignments before submitting your final exam at the end of the course to achieve your certificate. Courses must be completed within the 3 month access period.

Wouldn't it be terrific if you could use one program to create all the different types of print materials you need for your small business, organization, or family—such as letterhead, forms, and even brochures and business cards? Well, you can! We'll spend this first lesson going over all the different types of content you can produce with InDesign. We'll explore the InDesign workspace and tools, and then we'll get right to work on our first project—a logo for the fictional business we'll create materials for throughout this course!

Today, you'll learn all about starting and saving a new document. What's one of the most common types of print documents? If you said, "letterhead," you'd be right, and well on your way into this lesson's project. By the end of the session, you'll know how to choose settings for a new file, add background images, and organize your content to create a custom letterhead. You'll also add a second page to create a matching envelope. And as in all of our lessons, we'll go over how to use the specific colors, styles, and logo for our fictional business, but you'll be able to use the same techniques for your personal business or projects.

<p>Organization is a key ingredient in successful work of any kind, and it's critical to successfully using InDesign. In this lesson, you'll learn about organizing in two ways. First, you'll see how to use a <em>workflow</em>, or an order of operations for creating an InDesign publication. Then we'll go over how to organize materials on a page and how to use many of InDesign's tools for aligning, organizing, and laying out your content. In the process, we'll complete three projects: a sheet of address stickers, a sheet of business cards, and a reusable business card template.</p>

Many of your projects will use multiple pages with different layouts. Designing a catalog layout is the perfect way to learn these skills, and that's what we'll focus on today. We'll work with two different column layouts while exploring other InDesign features (like grids and document coordinates) that can help you lay out a page evenly. We'll also go over using graphic and text frame placeholders, so you don't have to add content to the page to see its layout. For a final touch of realism, we'll use placeholder text during the design process to give you a good idea of how a page will look when you're finished. You'll see how to add a graphic into an existing frame and make it fit, as well as how to add content instantly using a file called a snippet.

Managing text in precise and interesting ways is one of the big advantages of working with InDesign rather than a word-processing program. In this lesson, we'll begin a two-page brochure project that will take us two lessons to complete. In this first part, you'll learn different methods for adding text to your publication. Once the text is in place, you'll see how to check your text for typos and errors. We'll go over how to work with text in simple text frames and how to design threaded text (where the text slides through linked text frames on the page yet stays within the defined structure). We'll also use the Story Editor as an alternative to adding content in a layout view. You'll finish the lesson working with two columns in a single frame, and you'll see how to balance the content and auto-size the frame.

The two key elements in any print project are, of course, text and images. We went over text in our last lesson, so today, we'll finish up our two-page brochure project by going over just about everything you need to know about working with images&mdash;adding them to the page in different ways, adjusting their positions, and using various commands for coordinating their sizes, proportions, and frames. We'll begin by adding images to the brochure project pages we worked on in Lesson 5, and then we'll check out some special ways to add batches of images at once to make an image collage and to place images in interesting frames. Speaking of interesting&mdash;you'll also see how you can use InDesign transparency effects to add pizzazz to any project. You'll wind up the lesson making a printable photo cube from a template.

You might be surprised to learn that InDesign provides you with some of the same sophisticated drawing tools that you'll find in Adobe Illustrator. For example, InDesign offers the Pathfinder tool, which is the perfect tool to use if you need to combine simply drawn shapes and convert them into more complex and interesting objects. In this lesson, you'll learn how to work with some of the drawing tools to design a poster for a fashion show. You'll see how to draw several simple shapes and stack them using blend modes for interesting effects. One of the topics we'll go over is a text wrap, which is a special way to work with a drawing to tell InDesign where you want your text to display on your page. If you've ever wondered how to make text follow the shape of an object, curving around it on the page, our practice today will solve the mystery!

Did you know that your eyes can see over 16 million different colors? It's true! Fortunately, you don't have to work with that many colors in InDesign. But if you ever find yourself trying to choose between thousands and thousands of color possibilities, you'll understand why InDesign offers you so many different ways to work with your choices. In this lesson, you'll learn the best methods for choosing, naming, and organizing colors. You'll practice working with solid colors as well as gradients (which let you display a range of color within an object), and we'll round out the lesson by using some more special effects in today's fun project&mdash;a greeting card.

When you need to display bits of information in your publication and want to ensure it's easy to read, it's time to use a table. InDesign offers you lots of tools for designing and formatting tables while helping you make sure your content will coordinate with other documents. You'll see how this works today as we practice building tables for an invoice. You'll also find out how to use color tints in your table, as well as how to create and use styles to quickly and consistently reuse any of your layout features. Finally, we'll experiment with an interactive PDF form. You'll add some fields to a blank form, see how to configure a text field or button, and produce the PDF form.

<p>Recycling doesn't just apply to items in your home or business. In this lesson, you'll see how to use the <em>3Rs</em> of recycling in InDesign to complete a newsletter project. As you recycle and modify colors and styles from previous lessons to create new styles in your newsletter, you'll also reuse a lot of the tools and skills you've used in previous lessons. Learning to effectively use all of InDesign's tools and features in a variety of different ways on many different projects is what it's all about!</p>

Whether you're designing publications for business, hobbies, social, or community activities, odds are you'll need to share them at some point. InDesign provides many options for exporting and reusing a document, as well as printing. We'll review a few of them today as we design a postcard using special fonts, colors, and image layout features. Have you ever seen text that shows an image of some sort through the letters and wondered how it's done? You'll know after today's lesson! By the time you finish this lesson, you'll know how to export a publication as an image and then place it into a new Web page, print directly from your desktop, or create a compact version of your finished publication ready to email.

In this final lesson, we'll really test InDesign's versatility. First, we'll use a two-color version of the business cards you worked with early in the course and dig into color separations&mdash;a common method of preparing a file for a professional print shop. We'll try out special layout tools for producing alternate page layouts of different sizes in the same document. Finally, we'll wind up the course by creating an e-book.

Donna Baker

Donna Baker

Donna Baker is a freelance graphic designer and author of many books on design software and Web design. She produces custom tutorials, videos, and infographics for Adobe TV. She's also an Adobe Certified Expert and Adobe Community Expert. As you m... Read more

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