Style Savvy

Within the project files, you’ve been given an .INDD file with a very basic version of all of the amendments to the United States Constitution. Each amendment is on its own page and the amendment number and body of text are separated. Your job is to format the multi-page document so it’s more visually appealing and easier to read. You will need to use Character and Paragraph Styles to help format the document and keep elements looking the same. You will create 2 versions of the document, one that looks old-time handwritten, like the original Declaration of Independence, and one that is more modern, thus easier to read. You will also need to design a cover page for your document. Your cover page needs to have the text “Constitutional Amendments” and your name.  The directions page should be deleted before submitting your work.

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Using Character and Paragraph Styles will allow you to create a specific style (look) for an element of the document and easily apply that style to all of the other similar elements in your document. You will need separate styles for the following elements:

 

Character Styles:

• Amendment Numbers

• Amendment Body Text

• Block of Text on the Second Page Paragraph Styles:

• Amendment Body Text

 

Try to fit amendments onto a single page as best as possible. Some amendments are much longer than others and may need to be separated into 2 pages. You can create a new page in the pages panel to extend the text to another page. There is a frame on the master page in case you want to add an image to the background of your document. All text should be centered on the page but the body text still needs to be left justified. For the “old-time” version, include a parchment paper texture and use a cursive, pen type font. Follow the instructions below to create your project.

 

Directions:

1. Start by looking at the Pages Panel. How many pages are there? How is the text organized on the page?

2. Consider your design and how you want your different versions of the document to look. For the “old-time” style document, include the parchment paper background texture. Place this image in the frame on the master page. Consider what fonts you might want to use and how you will pair your fonts. Remember, you are making two versions of the document, one that looks older and handwritten and another that looks more modern and is easier to read.

3. On Page 3, select the text frame. Notice that all of the text in the document is the same font and same size. We are going to change that. With the text frame select go to Window > Styles and open the Character Styles Panel.

4. Click on the + Icon at the bottom right of the Character Styles Panel. This will create a new Character Style called Character Style 1.

5. Double-click on Character Style 1 in the Character Styles Panel to get the character styles options. Name the style Page 2 Style. Set the options however you like. It should look handwritten, but should still maintain readability. Check on the Preview option on the bottom left of the Character Styles options to see a preview of the style you are creating. When you are happy with the style click OK.

6. Go to the Paragraph Styles Panel. With the same text frame selected, hit the + sign to create a new Paragraph Style. Double-click on the Paragraph Style to open the options. Call this paragraph style Main Text. Create a paragraph style for all of your main body text. Make sure that the text is left justified. When positioning the text on the page it should be in the center of the page but still left justified.

7. Go to Page 17. We will be creating two different styles on Page 17. An Amendment Number style and an Amendment Text style. Select the Amendment Number text frame. Create a new style for the amendment numbers and name it Amendment Numbers. The numbers should be larger and more prominent than the body of text. Now select the main body of text and create a style for that and name it Amendment Text. This should still look handwritten.

8. Go through the document and apply the styles to the correct text frames. Make sure your text is centered on the page but left justified. If you need to create new pages to handle overflow text, use the pages panel to do so.

9. When you are finished, create a cover for your project.

10. Check the Pre-Flight Panel for any errors and resolve them.

11. Export the document as a PDF.

12. Repeat this process of creating and applying styles but in a more modern format that is easier to read. Export the modern file as a PDF.