Adobe InDesign workshop 2013

Today is the first day of total two days workshop of Adobe InDesign training in conjunction to SERU 'Create a Book' programme. The workshop was done from 8.30am to 5 pm in Kompleks Perdana Siswa (KPS) University of Malaya. Its is a requirement of book-making process that we learnt about not only about designing the layout of making a book, but also new knowledge including basic typography knowledge. I have never heard of Adobe InDesign software, which mean I am totally a newbie in this field. So, in today's post, I'm going to share a few knowledge that I gain from this workshop (which costs RM 500 to RM1 500 per person outside of University of Malaya).

So, what is Adobe InDesign? It is a powerful software in book-making process. It is a software that combine all the graphics (either been made by Adobe Photoshop etc.) and words. We always look at those shopping brochures of AEON Big, Giant, Mydin etc right? And we always read books or magazines (whatever topics, title you could think of) right? Guess what, they are made using this software. It is a new technology that has been introduced in Malaysia in 2007. Many advertising companies use this software. This software can produce either physical book, or virtual book that we call e-book.

My notes below would be random and I hope this little share could help you out there that might want to learn the basics of Adobe InDesign CS5.

What do we need to start?

• We can get Adobe InDesign if we install Adobe Master Collection or you can download the software from the Internet. According to the trainer, the latest version of Adobe InDesign is CS5.5 (version 7.5). I am using the trial version of Adobe InDesign CS5.0 (version 7.0) - this version is not too stable said the trainer. 
• We need to know how our book will be published. This will need creativity of ourselves. Think of how many pages, whether it will have many graphics/pictures inside, what will the paper quality, how the binding of the book will be whether it will be thread binded or glued and other features that one could think about in publishing his/her book.

ADOBE INDESIGN - Inia's BASIC RANDOM TUTORIALS AND TIPS

1. CMYK for printing

CMYK is the basic colour being used in printing industry. What I remember was that if we want our book/ magazines/ brochures/ booklet been printed in these basic colours, the cost of production will not be as high as when using colours like gold or which ever colour that require combination of these four (4) basic colours. 

2. CTP (Computer To Plate)

This is the plate maker (machine) before printing books.

What is CTP? It is a short form of Computer To Plate. When we are going to print copies of book that will have more than hundres pages or copies I guess, we need to have a plate that will print the digital form onto the papers. The plates will be used to print on the papers. 

3. The BENEFIT of File>Save As to frequently saved files.

For files that always been opened,  amended and saved frequently, it is strongly advisable to go to Menu > File > Save As and replace the existing file when finish our work. For your amazement, the  file will be decreased in size. For example, a file that has the size of 1223 kb will be decreased to smaller size! Try it! ;)

4. Drag and Drop vs. Ctrl+C/V

It is better to Drag and Drop files to folders than Copy/Paste them because it will use computer memory if we always Copy/Paste. This can slow your computer down.

5. Zoom 100% = Ctrl+1

6. Zoom 200% = Ctrl+2

7. Basic Typography of measurement:

• 1 inch = 2.54 cm 
• 1 inch = 25.4 mm
• 1 inch = 72 points (pt)
• 1 inch = 6 picas (p) ‘pronounced: 'pie-ka’– this is an old measurement (traditional, old measurement): Meant for Fonts & Column layout. Newspaper use picas to publish.
• SO: ===> 1 pica = 12 pt

8. To Import from doc document: 

Menu> File > Place > choose your .doc file.

9. A4 for New Document 

It is advisabale to take A4 all the time for New Document. 

10. Text Thread (click picture for larger view)

We can make continues text that been imported from .doc file been put in the boxes. The thread will be shown (you can  go to Menu > View > Extras > Show Text Thread to make sure we have connect one box to the other box.

11. Fonts

For your information, to avoid error like Fonts we are using to print our book not available in certain computer, it is importnt to choose a 'universal' font that can be used in any computer with different Operating System (OS) like Windows or Mac. Open Font is universal (in the picture above it is 'o', 'a' (as in the picture above) - the red-coloured 'a' font that been circled is an Adobe type font and 'TT' font above is suitable for Mac and Windows user.

That's all for a simple note of Adobe InDesign. It is hard to put everything inside of this post as the practical part is very crucial. It is advisable for you who want to use this software to get a hands-on experience. Experience is the best teacher! ;D

SME-University Internship Programme

Salam a'laik..

I'm currently involved in this programme which is under the initiative of University of Malaya Entrepreneurship Centre (UMEC - formerly known as PUSMAL) with SME Corporation. We students from different areas of studies (Year 2 and above) will be in teams to 'compete' with each other and the most practical team to come out with the most practical idea to help giving more profits to the real Micro-business and Small Medium Enterprise owners will be representing University of Malaya to compete at the national level with other Malaysian universities. This programme starts on February 2013 to May 2013.

Basically, our role is as junior business consultants, where we are assigned with SMEs with 'issues' in their business performance to give ideas to be implemented by the business owners. These improvements including in various areas, including the analysis of  M-Core Model (a business performance model which include Business Capability, Business Management, Business Operation and Financial Capability). My team is handling a spice manufacturer and so far we have made 2 site visits and meetings for our 3 times presentations to the business owner, UMEC and SME Corp within this 3 months time. Individually, at least 16 hours per week need to  be contributed to this programme. Despite the commitment, SME Corp do provide allowances to students to cater the transport etc. for the project (RM200/month).

For your information, University Malaya is participating in this event for the first time this year. So, for those juniors or fellow friends of UM, if you are interested to join this programme next year, feel free to contact UMEC. Below is a little information about this programme from SME Corp's website.

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SME-University Internship Programme

The "SME-UNIVERSITY INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME" initiated in 2008 as an initiative to link SMEs to the universities as part of the Government efforts to enhance the synergy between the industry and university to upgrade the SMEs’ capacity and capability. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between SME Corp Malaysia and Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) to roll out this Programme to all public universities throughout Malaysia.
The objective of this Programme is to :

• to assist SMEs in improving business performance and productivities through consultative approach by university students, under the supervision and guidance by their lecturers, as well as SME Corp. Malaysia’s Business Counselors ;
•  to promote entrepreneurship among students and to provide exposure on real life business environment; and
• to help the students to acquire the essential skills required both, either for working in the small firm or to start their own enterprises upon leaving full time education

Among the areas of improvements are :

• Business Operation & Management ;
• Production ;
• Management ;
• Financial Management ;
• Marketing ; and
• Application of ICT.

Who qualifies?

• Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
• Preferably companies with SCORE rating of two (2) Stars and below.
• Located nearby participating public universities.

Click here todownload the application form

Kindly submit the completed form to:

SME-University Internship Programme Secretariat
Ms Kala Darshini / Ms Nurul Zahirah Ayob
Tel : 03-2775 6000 ext 6198 / 6184
Fax : 03-2775 6314
Email : kaladarshini@smecorp.gov.my / zahirah@smecorp.gov.my
Address : SME Corp. Malaysia
Level 6, SME 1,
Block B, Platinum Sentral
Jalan Stesen Sentral 2
Kuala Lumpur Sentral
50470 KUALA LUMPUR

Pesta Ko-kurikulum (PESKO) Universiti Malaya IS BACK!

Its back! 

Everyone is welcomed! The society will have a chance to look at what we students do for the courses that we take for the whole semester.

Students of University of Malaya will have a chance to look at the Extracurricular courses University Malaya offers for their co-curicullum subjects too!

This an opportunities that should be grabbed!

The event will happen on:

Date: 30th May 2013

Venue: Dewan Tunku Canselor, UM

Time: 9am - 10pm

Breakdown: 9am - 4pm: Exhibition & 730pm-9pm: Performances

Key Points:

• Part of the program is the Cultural Night
• NGOs who are engaged in the education, care or counselling services to youth.
• A venue to showcase student's skills & talents, can also be a venue to inform,show & disseminate to our society & nearby community what our students do during the semester.

Mark your calendar! ;D

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PESKO, atau Festival Pendidikan Kokurikulum adalah program anjuran Seksyen Kokurikulum, Elektif Luar & Titas (SKET) bagi memperagakan kebolehan pelajar dalam seni persembahan, bela diri, muzikal tradisional dan lain-lain. Pameran-pameran menarik, Seni Fotografi, Cat Air, Kaligrafi juga turut ditampilkan.
Masuk adalah percuma! Semua dijemput hadir.

Tarikh: 30 Mei 2013

Tempat: Dewan Tunku Canselor (DTC), Universiti Malaya

Masa: 9.00 pagi hingga 10.00malam (9.00 pagi - 4.00 petang : Pameran)

                                                        (7.30 petang - 9.00malam: Persembahan)

Masuk adalah percuma! Semua dijemput hadir.

I am the Empire Puma RSS Coach!

Salam a'laikum..

Yesterday was the day we Coach of the first batch of REAL Sahabat SERU met with our coachees.
I am in Group 4, consist of 16 people per group.  We named our group EMPIRE PUMA ( though in the logo I loosely made above is a lion haha)

There will be 1 coach per two pairs as been decided yesterday.

This is so exciting! Can't wait to start our Peer Coaching!