Accessible InDesign Documents, Part 2

In Part 1, we laid out the basics that you need to know to make accessible documents in InDesign.

Now, let’s take the next step and explore some of the most important rules for building accessible PDF files.

Topics include:

  • Working with accessible colors
  • Best practices for accessible tables
  • Accessible hyperlinks
  • Exporting to PDF
  • Checking for compliance

10 Essential Illustrator Tips

Sometimes, a single Illustrator tip is all it takes to rock your world—and in this session, you’ll learn TEN! How many do you know? Find out in this fun and fast-paced session with Illustrator guru, Laura Coyle.

Topics include:

  • Get inspired to use Recolor Artwork
  • Shape Builder pro tips
  • The iPad Pencil tool: Can it replace the Pen tool?
  • Work faster with Symbols
  • Use Image Trace to the fullest
  • Laura’s workflow life-savers

Generative AI: Ethical, Legal, and Practical Issues

Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should! Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems give you unprecedented abilities for creating imagery, text, music, and more. But what should know before you dive in? Who stands to gain, and who will lose? What are the legal issues you should be aware of when creating and using GenAI content in your designs?

Explore all these topics and more in this fascinating panel discussion!

Production Essentials for the Rest of Us

Technical stuff like color management, resolution, file size, and vector vs. bitmap can be intimidating. This is especially true when you work with multiple applications at the same time. With so many different pieces to the puzzle, it’s no wonder that getting your desired output can feel unnecessarily complicated. In this session, Theresa Jackson breaks down and simplifies the basics for getting consistent, professional results with Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. If you’ve ever struggled with things like cross-app workflows, file size, resolution, consistent color, or why RGB really is okay—this session is for you!

Topics include:

  • Making the most of color settings and profiles for consistent color across Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign
  • Leveraging the strengths of each app, and best practices for bringing them together
  • CMYK vs. RGB, does it really matter? When and why to use each or both
  • The difference between file size and resolution
  • How to create output files that aren’t too small or too big
  • When is a vector still a vector

Accessible InDesign Documents, Part 1

Ensuring that the PDF files you export from InDesign are accessible to everyone is not only a good idea, it’s the right thing to do! In this session, you’ll learn what accessibility and “Section 508” means and how you can produce PDF documents that are accessible to all!

This tutorial is split into three separate sessions. This session takes you through the steps of adding basic accessibility features to your InDesign files.

Topics include:

  • How to build an InDesign document the right way from the start
  • Controlling content order
  • Using accessibility features in InDesign

Powerful Add-Ons to Boost Illustrator

At one time or another, every Illustrator user has said, “Why is this so hard?!” or, “The one feature I really need doesn’t exist!” Dave Clayton wants you to know that he feels your pain—and he’s here to help! In this jam-packed session, you’ll discover powerful third-party tools and plug-ins (free and paid) to fill the gaps in Illustrator’s feature set. With great stuff from Astute Graphics, Fontself, Logo Package Express, and more, you’ll have loads of options you can add to your creative arsenal.

You’ll learn:

  • Where to find plug-ins
  • How to install and add them to Illustrator
  • How they can improve your workflow and creativity
  • How to use them to save time and increase your earning power!

Watch a special Sneak Peek of this session:

AI Images: What’s a Designer To Do?

Artificial Intelligence is creating a once-in-a-generation revolution for designers and artists. Come learn how you can put the power of Stable Diffusion, Midjourney, and other generative AI tools to work for you!

Topics include:

  • What is generative AI and how it works
  • Getting started on the right foot
  • Creating artwork you can use in any design or publication
  • Creating AI prompts using AI

Understanding and Adjusting Color in Photoshop

For most people, adjusting color in Photoshop is a never-ending exercise in frustration. Which tools should you use? And how can you use them without screwing up your images?

In this session, you’ll learn to intuitively interpret RGB color numbers so you can visualize and describe the color in any situation — even if you are color blind or you’re viewing the image in black & white! Then you’ll see how those numbers can be used to precisely match colors between documents, identify and fix undesirable color casts, and much more.

In the process, you’ll see how most of Photoshop’s color adjustments fall into two categories, and understand the core concepts behind the way color works in Photoshop.

Ben will teach you all kinds of amazing things including how to:

  • Tell when you’ve pushed saturation too far and have begun to sacrifice detail
  • Sort out all the color adjustments to see which ones share similar concepts
  • Establish a core understanding of how color works in Photoshop
  • Understand how RGB color relates to CMYK

PS + ID + AI: The Trifecta

We all have our favorite Adobe apps, but to really get the most out of them and maximize our efficiency, it’s crucial to understand how they work together!

Topics include:

  • How to properly set up Photoshop and Illustrator files for InDesign
  • Choosing between layers and artboards
  • CC Libraries: the secret back door conduit
  • Using cloud documents and setting up collaborations
  • When to link, copy, or embed artwork