ANNUAL COURSE CATALOG

Student Resource Guide

Project Type: Print Design | Problem Solving | Automation | Project Management

The Student Resource Guides is a comprehensive course catalog produced annually for our company to attract prospective students. This multi-format publication is available in both print and digital editions, ranging from 172-200 pages.

Challenge: Inefficient Data Import System

The catalog relied on an outsourced company for importing course information from our central content repository. This process proved to be a major pain point:

• Manual Edits: Edits to imported data were extremely time-consuming, hindering efficiency.

• External Dependency: Outsourcing the import process introduced reliance on a third-party vendor, impacting timelines and control.

• Limited Flexibility: The existing system lacked flexibility for future modifications and scalability.

Solution: Automated Data Import with XML

Recognizing the need to address these challenges, I led the development of an in-house solution for importing course information using XML (Extensible Markup Language). This resulted in:

• Automated Data Import: Reduce manual effort and streamline the import process.

• Increased Control: Bring data management in-house for greater control and flexibility.

• Improved Efficiency: Enhance overall efficiency by minimizing manual edits and delays.

• Reduced Costs: Eliminate outsourcing fees associated with data import, leading to long-term cost savings.

Execution: Building the In-House Solution

While automating data import with InDesign is a common practice for large catalogs, existing resources primarily focused on outsourcing this task. Limited information was available on setting up the InDesign template, XML file preparation, and data flow integration.

To bridge this knowledge gap, I adopted a research-and-build approach:

1. Leveraging Advanced InDesign Features: I dived deeper into InDesign's XML capabilities, exploring features and functionalities through online tutorials, user forums, and experimentation.

2. XML Structure Optimization: Through trial and error, I refined the XML structure to ensure compatibility and efficient data import into InDesign.

3. Template Development: I designed an InDesign template that dynamically populated content based on the imported XML data, maintaining the desired visual style.

Results: Dynamic Design Control & Streamlined Workflow

By developing a customizable InDesign template and optimized XML structure, this project significantly enhanced the efficiency of the catalog creation process. The template utilizes InDesign's data merge, automatically linking every page element to designated paragraph or object styles. This allows imported XML data to map seamlessly to pre-defined styles, ensuring consistent formatting and minimizing manual adjustments. Additionally, the template empowers future designers with complete control over the catalog's visual style through simple style adjustments, without affecting the underlying XML structure.

Building a Better Catalog: Design Lead & Collaborative Efforts

Aside from leading the charge on the automation initiative, I also wore several creative hats for this project:

• Project Lead: As project manager for the creative team, I collaborated closely with the copywriter to establish a clear timeline for deliverables and planned the overall page layout for the catalog. This ensured a cohesive visual experience.

• Stakeholder Communication: I actively led meetings with stakeholders, effectively communicating design decisions and incorporating their feedback into the final product.

• Collaborative Design Execution: I fostered a collaborative environment, working alongside other designers to develop unique visuals for each year's catalog. This ensured a fresh and engaging design approach for each edition.