Designing an Annual Report in InDesign by Nigel French

This course walks you through the entire process of designing an annual report in Adobe InDesign. It’s not just about making it look good—it’s about structuring complex information, telling a company’s story, and creating a piece that’s both legally compliant and a standout portfolio project. Nigel French shows you how to think strategically from the start.

🎯 What you’ll learn

• Build a flat plan and document structure for a multi-page report
• Create and apply master pages, grids, and layers for consistent layout
• Design infographics, tables, donut charts, and timelines
• Format text with GREP styles and object styles for a polished look
• Prepare a print-ready PDF with preflight checks and spot varnish

✅ Requirements

• Skills: Basic familiarity with InDesign’s interface and tools
• Tools: Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop (for batch image conversion)
• Hardware: A computer capable of running InDesign and Photoshop

📝 Description

This isn’t a theoretical overview. Nigel French gets straight into the practical work of building a real annual report. You’ll start by creating a flat plan—a blueprint for your document—and then move into setting up master pages, grids, and layers. The course is split into clear, manageable chunks, so you can follow along at your own pace.

The real value here is in the details. You’ll learn how to use GREP styles to automate text formatting, create object styles for a consistent picture treatment, and design data-driven infographics like donut charts and timelines. Nigel also covers the often-overlooked prepress stage: preflighting your document, adding a spot varnish, and exporting a print-ready PDF. It’s a complete workflow, from concept to final output.

🧑‍🎓 Who this course is for

• Graphic designers looking to add annual report design to their skillset
• InDesign users who want to move beyond basic layouts into complex, multi-page documents
• Freelancers or in-house designers who need to produce professional, print-ready corporate materials

🧑‍🏫 About the Author

Nigel French is a graphic designer, author, and educator with over 20 years of experience. He has written several books on Adobe InDesign and Photoshop, and his courses on LinkedIn Learning are known for their clear, practical approach. Nigel has worked with a wide range of clients, from small businesses to large corporations, giving him a deep understanding of what makes a design both functional and compelling.

🏁 Final Result

• A complete, print-ready annual report design, including covers, infographics, a table of contents, and a consistent visual style.