I’m writing a guidebook

How to design rule books with InDesign and not go crazy in the process.

It’s official! I’ve started writing a comprehensive guide aimed at assisting graphic designers and self-published game authors through the process of designing a tabletop rulebook from start to finish using Adobe InDesign. This process can be overwhelming, especially since I have little experience doing this type of writing but I am committed to do something that junior designer me would totally have used when she started working on Game books. I only had a vague idea what tools to use if I am being honest. Magazines and small publications were probably something I was familiar with but designing, laying out and type setting books this complex was a daunting task I decided to get into because it was honestly a lot of fun and despite the complexity and the amount of information one has to learn, it is still very fun. This is going to be a comprehensive guide aimed at assisting a designer through the process of brainstorming, gathering references and laying-out a tabletop rule book from start to finish using Adobe InDesign. This is not just strictly to aid in the process of layout and typesetting. Despite not teaching how to create graphic assets from scratch using other apps like Photoshop or Illustrator. I’m also adding step by step processes on how to create those graphic assets.

Here is a small tease of what this guide is going to contain

References and Examples

Before diving into the intricacies of layout design and typesetting, it’s essential to gather some inspiration and understand the different styles of rule books and reference materials available. In the guide I want to help you get a better sense of what you want to create. I will also provide practical examples on how to gather references and organize them in a way that it’s useful in the creative process.

Adobe InDesign: The Essential Tool

The core of this guide, is Adobe InDesign—a software that has become the industry standard in the publishing world. InDesign offers a collection of tools designed to make the layout and typesetting process efficient and professional. As we progress through the course, we will delve into handling large-format texts, how to create a variety of reusable page layouts, and essential tips to optimize them for accessibility and legibility. Some of these key features are:

1. Guides and Layout settings: Learn how to establish a grid system and strategically place your text and images.

2. Page Masters and Styles: Understand how to utilize page masters and styles to streamline the typesetting process.

Exporting Your Rule book

Once the design is complete, the next steps involve exporting your rule book for further editing, proofreading, and eventually, publication. Whether you’re looking to print physical copies or publish digitally, the course covers the best practices I’ve learned for each format.

Alternative Software Options

While Adobe InDesign is the go-to software for designers, it’s worth noting that some of its features can also be found in alternative publishing software like Affinity Publisher, Scribus, and QuarkXpress. If you’re a self-published author using those alternatives, you can still benefit from the course by looking for similar tools and features.

Who is This Guide For?

At the beginning I thought this could be used by any person. However, InDesign is a very dense app that not many people have used, even graphic designers. The tools I use are specific to make my workflow as easy and smooth as possible and also to minimize errors. This last bit is so important. It’s even more important than speed. This is why I think this guide is for only two types of students:

– Graphic Designers: Especially those who already have some experience with Adobe InDesign and want to create tabletop rule books. The guide offers advanced tips and techniques to enhance your existing InDesign skills.

– Self-Publish Game Authors: If you are a self-published game designer and want to improve your rule book’s quality. If you are a home brewer and a tinkerer, someone who is used to learn any software or skill to make your hobby projects come to life then this guide is also for you.

The road is long and it will take time but I’m exploring the possibility of publishing articles here to help me assess the quality of the content and then compiling the useful information into a fun and simple to understand PDF guidebook. Wish me luck!