InDesign Cost

As part of the Adobe Creative Cloud, InDesign has shifted from a single-purchase model to a subscription-based model. This means that once a user’s free trial has ended, the cost of InDesign will vary depending on the method of payment and the number of services to which a user subscribes. It also means that pricing is subject to change.

What is InDesign?

Released in 1999, Adobe InDesign is the industry standard in page layout design software, and it is one of the software programs that comprise the Adobe Creative Cloud. Together with Photoshop and Illustrator, InDesign is one of the most commonly used creative design tools across a number of industries, ranging from publishing to Graphic Design. Built to streamline the process of designing page layouts for books and magazines, InDesign has a plethora of uses that make it a versatile tool for many creative endeavors. As part of a heavily integrated array of creative tools, Adobe InDesign gives Creatives the chance to create compelling and vibrant page layouts.

Unlike its sister programs, Illustrator and Photoshop, InDesign serves a specific but vital function: building page layouts. Creatives use InDesign to build prototype layouts for everything from brochures to web pages, and the program has tools for populating those prototypes with graphics, text, and even interactive elements. While it is primarily used in traditional print media, InDesign is seeing increasing use in the digital sphere such as in ePublishing and website Design.

Read more about what InDesign is and why you should learn it.

What Can You Do with InDesign?

Adobe InDesign allows users to create vibrant and memorable design layouts that can be used for anything from print advertisements to promotional brochures to newsletters and magazines. Almost any print layout can be built with InDesign, and the tool is often used to help Web Designers produce mockups of web pages. Users can add text, color, and images to their layouts to ensure they communicate what they intend to convey. InDesign also lets users easily create templates or replicate pages to streamline the multi-page design process.

InDesign also has numerous non-professional uses for users who are hoping to create eye-catching posters, infographics, or flyers for their own organizations or communities. Visual Design skills can help users share information in memorable and effective ways, and learning InDesign will help anyone hoping to communicate with the masses. Additionally, many small businesses or private commercial organizations—like Etsy shops or local bands—can greatly benefit from having individuals on staff with InDesign training, as the program helps non-Professionals create professional-grade Graphic Page Layouts.

Because InDesign is so closely integrated with the rest of the Adobe Creative Cloud, users who are familiar with other programs can seamlessly incorporate their work into layout designs. Photos and illustrations can be edited or created in Photoshop and Illustrator and then easily brought into InDesign to populate a layout. Users can also transfer work between InDesign and Adobe XD to help build prototype web layouts. These connections help expand the functionality of all Adobe Creative Cloud applications.

In-Depth Review of the Cost

Adobe offers users a brief, free trial of the full InDesign program. This is an ideal time to experiment with the program and take advantage of Noble and Adobe’s free tutorials, because once this trial expires, users will only be able to access InDesign with an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription.

The Adobe Creative Cloud offers an array of pricing plans to help users find the right model to suit their needs. Each paid subscription can be set up for either annual or monthly payments, and users who wish to pay monthly can choose a plan that can be canceled at any time, or they can subscribe for an entire year paid in lower monthly installments. The yearly subscription model has the highest upfront cost, but over time, it is the most affordable option.

InDesign can be licensed on its own, or it can be licensed as part of a package with the rest of the Adobe Creative Cloud software. The larger package is the most expensive option, but it is far cheaper than licensing each program individually. Users should gauge how much they plan to use programs like Photoshop and Illustrator when signing up for these subscriptions. In addition, any Adobe Creative Cloud subscription can be paired with a free trial to Adobe Stock, Adobe’s library of royalty-free images and assets. At the conclusion of this trial period, users will need to pay about $20 per month to retain access to the library.

Users should also be aware that because InDesign is now on a subscription model, they may find it difficult—or impossible—to access their work if their subscription expires.

Why Learn InDesign?

Learning InDesign will help Creatives and aspiring Graphic Designers streamline the process of building page layouts. The program lets users construct vibrant layouts using text, shapes, and color modification tools, and it is perfect for anyone who designs print advertisements, magazine and newspaper layouts, infographics, posters, or brochures. Anyone—Professional or amateur—who wants to create eye-catching printed Graphic Designs can learn InDesign to take their creative output to the next level.

Additionally, because InDesign is part of the Adobe Creative Cloud, learning how to create design layouts in InDesign will also help users become more skilled at using other Adobe Creative software. Learning InDesign is often paired with training in programs like Photoshop or Illustrator because the programs are closely integrated. This means that learning InDesign can either help users become more proficient with programs they already know or make learning new programs easier. Learning InDesign won’t simply make a user better at building page layouts—it can also open the door to learning skills like Photo Editing, Vector Graphics Design, or Web Interface Design.

Read more about why you should learn InDesign.

Free Introductory InDesign Course Online

Students looking for free online tutorials should start at Noble Desktop’s blog and the articles tagged InDesign. Here, students will have access to articles and interviews explaining the basics of InDesign, and they will be able to find free online Graphic Design and InDesign courses. Noble’s InDesign overview page also includes links to free online training resources. These free resources are constantly updated and are built as onboarding tools for Noble’s paid training seminars, so using these resources will prepare students for the more immersive learning options made available through Noble.

One of the best ways to introduce yourself to InDesign is through a free online video tutorial. Noble’s blog and Graphic Design YouTube playlist provide students with free introductory videos covering both general Graphic Design principles and Adobe InDesign in particular. These videos are a great place to start getting a feel for InDesign, as they allow students to learn the basics of the program at their own pace. Noble’s videos cover the core functionalities of InDesign, teaching students how to navigate the interface, add text and images to a layout, and export and prepare simple layouts for publication.

Students looking for a more detailed background in InDesign should consult the Learn InDesign page on Noble’s Learn Hub. Here, students will find constantly updated free resources to help guide them through the early process of learning InDesign.

Read about more free InDesign videos and online tutorials.

Learn InDesign with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop offers a wide range of training options for students seeking to learn Adobe InDesign. Ranging from introductory courses such as InDesign in a Day to immersive career training programs like the Graphic Design Certificate program, Noble has a training program built to fit your needs. These courses are all taught by Professional Instructors with years of training as both Teachers and Graphic Designers. Each course includes the option to retake the class for free within a year of the initial enrollment, giving students the opportunity to reinforce their skills or gain more hands-on experience with InDesign.

The Adobe InDesign Bootcamp gives students hands-on experience working with InDesign through exercises that mirror the kinds of projects that Professional Graphic Designers work on. Students will learn how to create layouts using InDesign’s text, color, and graphic tools; how to import formats and styles to build layouts efficiently; and how to work with parent pages to easily create complex, multi-page designs for projects like brochures and magazines. This course is ideal for students who want to learn the advanced features of InDesign within a professional context. At the end of this bootcamp, students will be prepared to use InDesign as part of their professional lives and will be able to demonstrate to their employers that they have received in-depth InDesign training.

Noble’s Graphic Design Certificate program takes this InDesign training and pairs it with career-focused instruction in Photoshop and Illustrator. Students will learn the foundations of Graphic Design, receiving training in composition, color theory, and typography. Then, they will learn how to use Illustrator and Photoshop to create digital illustrations and assets that can be imported into InDesign to populate finished page layouts. Bringing these programs together, the Graphic Design Certificate program is designed to take students from novice users to trained Designers, helping them pursue a new career upon completing the course. This certificate program also provides students with one-on-1Career Mentoring so that, when the course is complete, graduates will be ready to enter the workforce as Graphic Designers.