What is InDesign Used For?

Adobe InDesign, a part of the Creative Suite product line, is a widely-used software program for page composition, design and production. Graphic artists and digital publishers choose InDesign when they want creative control in manipulating page elements, mainly text and images, in single or multipage documents.

History

Before technology, designers laid out documents using traditional paste-up techniques. With the development of PageMaker, desktop publishing became accessible to the masses. In 1999, Adobe Systems released InDesign to replace the fledgling PageMaker program and to compete with QuarkXPress' growing popularity with design professionals.

Function

From brochures to books to advertisements, InDesign enables designers to import text, photographs and vector art, place them onto a page, and link multiple pages together for quick print and electronic distribution.

Features

In multiple page documents, InDesign excels at providing page management tools, such as page reorder, text linking, master pages and numbering. InDesign also integrates with the Adobe Suite products, including InCopy, Bridge, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat and Flash, and shares some common navigation and tools.

Limitations

InDesign offers only basic illustration and photo manipulation tools, eliminating the need to use other programs, such as Illustrator or Photoshop, for minor edits.

Benefits

One highlight of InDesign is its preflight capabilities for controlling and prepping files for offset print production.

References

• Blattner, David, "QuarkXPress 6 vs. InDesign CS: Taking Sides", www.creativepro.com, December 17, 2003.
• Rankin, Wayne and McHugh, Mike, How to Wow with InDesign CS2, Peachpit Press, 2006.
• McClelland, Deke and Futato. David, Adobe InDesign CS4 One-on-One, Deke Publishing, 2008.

Resources

• Layers Magazine
• Adobe
• InDesign Secrets
• InDesign Magazine