Practical: Design “HINDUSTAN TIMES” Front Page in Adobe InDesign

 For an Example.



Aim

To design a newspaper front page layout similar to “Hindustan Times” using Adobe InDesign.

Page Analysis (Before Design)

The given front page contains:

  • Top masthead (HINDUSTAN TIMES)

  • Price & edition info

  • Main headline

  • Sub-headlines

  • Multi-column news text

  • Images with captions

  • Advertisement at bottom

  • Clean column-based layout

Step 1: Create New Document

  1. Open Adobe InDesign

  2. Click Create New

  3. Select Print

  4. Set the following:

    • Page Size: A3

    • Orientation: Portrait

    • Columns: 6

    • Gutter: 5 mm

    • Margins: 15 mm

    • Facing Pages: OFF

  5. Click Create

Step 2: Set Column Guides (Important)

Newspapers always use columns.

  • Go to Layout → Margins and Columns

  • Confirm 6 columns

  • This helps align text neatly like a real newspaper

Step 3: Create Masthead (Top Title)

  1. Select Type Tool (T)

  2. Draw a text box across the top width

  3. Type:

    HINDUSTAN TIMES

  4. Formatting:

    • Font: Times New Roman / Serif

    • Size: 65–75 pt

    • Style: Bold

    • Color: Black

    • Alignment: Center

👉 This is the masthead

Step 4: Add Edition, Date & Price

  1. Draw a small text box below masthead

  2. Type example:

    NEW DELHI | MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026 | Rs. 10

  3. Font size: 9–10 pt

  4. Alignment: Center

Step 5: Draw Separator Line

  1. Select Line Tool ( \ )

  2. Draw a thin horizontal line below the masthead

  3. Stroke Weight: 1 pt

Step 6: Create Main Headline

  1. Select Type Tool

  2. Draw a wide text box across 4–5 columns

  3. Type main headline (example):

    WE KNOW OBESITY IS A DISEASE

  4. Formatting:

    • Font size: 32–38 pt

    • Bold

    • Uppercase

    • Black or dark red

Step 7: Add Sub-Headline

  1. Draw a text box below headline

  2. Type:

    Doctors call for urgent lifestyle reforms

  3. Font size: 14–16 pt

  4. Italic or Regular

Step 8: Insert Main News Image

  1. Click File → Place (Ctrl + D)

  2. Select image

  3. Place image below headline

  4. Resize using Selection Tool (V)
    (Hold Shift to maintain proportion)

Step 9: Add Image Caption

  1. Draw a small text box below image

  2. Type caption text

  3. Font size: 8–9 pt

  4. Italic

Step 10: Create News Text Columns

  1. Select Type Tool

  2. Draw text box in first column

  3. Type sample news paragraph:

    New Delhi: Health experts across the country have emphasized that obesity should be treated as a serious medical condition...

  4. Link text to next column:

    • Click out-port (+) of text frame

    • Click in next column

  5. Repeat until all columns are filled

Step 11: Add Side News Blocks

  1. Create smaller text boxes on right side

  2. Add short headlines like:

    US slaps designated terror outfit tag on LeT front TRF

  3. Headline font: 14 pt bold

  4. Body text: 10 pt regular

Step 12: Insert Advertisement (Bottom Area)

  1. Draw a rectangle frame at bottom

  2. Place advertisement image

  3. Resize to fit width

  4. Keep margins intact

Step 13: Footer Information

  1. Draw text box at bottom

  2. Type:

    www.hindustantimes.com | Page 1

  3. Font size: 8 pt

  4. Align center

Step 14: Save and Export

Save File

  • File → Save

  • Name: HindustanTimes_FrontPage.indd

Export PDF

  1. File → Export

  2. Format: Adobe PDF (Print)

  3. Preset: High Quality Print

  4. Click Export

Result

A professional newspaper front page layout similar to Hindustan Times is successfully designed using Adobe InDesign.

Important Tips for Accuracy

✔ Always use columns
✔ Headlines must be bold and large
✔ Body text should be 10–11 pt
✔ Maintain alignment and spacing
✔ Do not overcrowd images

Viva Questions – With Answers

1. Why are columns used in newspaper design?

Answer:
Columns are used to make the newspaper easy to read, well-organized, and professionally aligned. They help in fitting more text neatly on a page and guide the reader’s eye smoothly.

2. What is a masthead?

Answer:
The masthead is the name of the newspaper displayed at the top of the front page, such as “Hindustan Times”. It represents the identity and branding of the newspaper.

3. What is the difference between a headline and a caption?

Answer:

  • Headline: Main title of a news story, written in large bold letters.

  • Caption: Short text written below an image explaining the picture.

4. Which tool is used to place images in Adobe InDesign?

Answer:
Images are placed using File → Place or the shortcut Ctrl + D.

5. Why is A3 size preferred for newspapers?

Answer:
A3 size provides more space for multiple columns, images, and advertisements, which is required for newspaper layout design.

6. What is Adobe InDesign?

Answer:
Adobe InDesign is a desktop publishing software used to design newspapers, magazines, books, brochures, and posters.

7. What is gutter in InDesign?

Answer:
Gutter is the space between two columns. It improves readability and prevents text from looking crowded.

8. What is text frame linking?

Answer:
Text frame linking allows text to flow from one column or text box to another, which is very useful in newspaper layouts.

9. Which tool is used to type text?

Answer:
The Type Tool (T) is used to type text in Adobe InDesign.

10. What is the default file extension of InDesign?

Answer:
The default file extension is .indd

11. Why are serif fonts used in newspapers?

Answer:
Serif fonts are easier to read in long text, so they are commonly used for news content.

12. What is the use of the Selection Tool?

Answer:
The Selection Tool (V) is used to move, resize, and select objects like text frames and images.

13. What is the use of the Pages Panel?

Answer:
The Pages Panel is used to add, delete, and manage pages in a document.

14. Why images are important on the front page?

Answer:
Images attract readers’ attention, support the news story, and make the page visually appealing.

15. What format is used for final printing?

Answer:
The final output is exported as PDF (Print) for high-quality printing.

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