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Local Resources

You should look into the following local resources for assistance with your new acquisition or upgrade. Networking with other users can provide invaluable feedback. In addition, training is always a great way to kick start the learning process. Look for an Adobe Certified Instructor in your area. Finally, I've collected many references over the years that I have found to be useful; I gladly pass some of those recommendations on to you here.

User Groups and Associations

Many people don't realize that they have local resources, such as an InDesign Users Group, available to them. Being able to connect with other professionals using this product, possibly for the first time, is a wonderful networking opportunity and a local resource at the same time. Use the following website to locate a user group near you: http://www.indesignusergroup.com/.

Don't have one? Consider starting one in your area. You will note that the user group website has additional resources and useful links for all kinds of information.

In addition to a specific user group, try locating a chapter of the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) at www.aiga.org. You will meet many professionals working with InDesign. Do you find yourself in a corporate environment? Try the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) at www.iabc.com. These two organizations are broader in scope, but they often have technology user groups that might prove useful to you.

Training

No doubt, training is a subject near and dear to my heart. Nothing can replace instructorled training, and to locate an Adobe Certified Instructor, visit the Adobe website at http://partners.adobe.com/public/partnerfinder/tp/show_find.do.

Your local community college might offer options, and don't forget your local art centers. We have a wonderful resource here in Indianapolis, called the Indianapolis Art Center, and they have a computer lab that offers design classes on popular software.

If local instruction is not available to you or your budget won't allow for it, explore the many options Adobe provides at http://www.adobe.com/support/training.html.