review and comment on at least two of your peers’ responses: Confirm their understanding of page layout and its value.

• Talk about any experience you have personally had with page layout or how you might have benefited from understanding the role of InDesign when creating work in the past.
• Offer explanations to additional features and benefits to using the InDesign application that you have learned through your readings and Learning Activities.

Challenge any uses of the InDesign page proffered by your peers that you believe are not reasonable or accurate uses of the application attributes.

The Role of Page Layout and Adobe Applications

by Emily

“Just as in nature, systems of order govern the growth and structure of animate and inanimate matter, so human activity itself has, since the earliest times, been distinguished by the quest for order… The desire to bring order to the bewildering confusion of appearances reflects a deep human need” (Graver 10). It is important for us to seek some type of structure to a world that is so complex. When we are presented with a new idea or piece of information, we unknowingly seek out a more organized approach to this information, in order for us to absorb it. Thus, brings us to the importance of page layout and design. Graphic designers are faced with the challenge of communicating information more effectively through design.  In this paper, we will discuss the role of page layout, and compare the capabilities of Abobe InDesign and Photoshop in respect to page layout.

Most graphic designers will complete sketches, or thumbnail sketches of their ideas before moving forward with a design. “Foremost, the initial groundwork of a solid, thoughtful layout is the key element that holds the design together- and makes order out of ambiguity” (Graver 10). Some designers, like Massimo Vignelli, mentioned in the above source, stress the importance of using a grid when sketching a layout. The grid is meant to bring consistency and organization to the page layouts, so that attention-grabbing design can build on top of that.

Applications such as Adobe InDesign and Photoshop help to create page layouts, each with their own unique capabilities. Adobe InDesign is generally used for editorial design, book design, multi-page brochures, and interactive PDF documents. Adobe Photoshop is used for photo manipulation, web graphics, motion graphics, special photo effects, and single page layouts. That being said, Adobe InDesign is the best choice when creating professional page layouts. Let’s explore some of the specific advantages Adobe InDesign has over Photoshop.

The leading advantage InDesign offers is a multi-page functionality. Photoshop can only offer a single page design. Next, the typography options in InDesign are more flexible and offer the similar options as Microsoft Word, such as advanced paragraph styles, indents, spacing, hyphenation, justification, fonts, etc. InDesign can encode vector images into a design, while Photoshop has to convert the vector to paths or “pseudo vector”, and outputs as pixel based. Finally, when bringing in images to your layout in InDesign, you don’t have to worry about permanence because images are added as a link, and not embedded into the design. 

Photoshop has its own advantages. It can be a great resource when creating graphics and logos for a project in InDesign. Where it is possible to “draw” objects in InDesign, it is not as preferable for drawing as compared to Photoshop or Illustrator. When desiring eye-capturing photos, InDesign does not offer filter effects like Photoshop. Also, creating a logo in InDesign is very difficult and is almost impossible.  All advantages considered, Photoshop is best used for one page layouts, and for producing detailed graphics and images.

In conclusion, page layout is very important when trying to communicate information effectively. Adobe InDesign and Photoshop can both aide in creating layouts, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. InDesign is the premiere application for generating page layout and producing professional multi-page publications. Photoshop is the secondary application for assistance with graphics, photos, and logos. When both are used together, they are practical in creating a powerful design.

Works Cited

Fussell, Grace. “Photoshop VS InDesign: Which is Best for Print Design?” Envatotuts+. NP. 9 June 2014. Web. 27 Jan. 2016

Graver, Amy, and Ben Jura. Best Practices For Graphic Designers, Grids And Page Layouts : An Essential Guideline For Understanding & Applying Page Design Principles. Beverly, MA: Rockport Publishers, 2012. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost). Web. 27 Jan. 2016.

Gendelman, Vladimir. “Adobe Illustrator vs. Photoshop vs. InDesign – Print Design Guide.” Company Folders. NP. 24 September 2013. Web. 27 Jan. 2016.

Takakura, Chris. “Photoshop, Illustrator or Indesign?” Dream Infinity. Takakura, Chris. 14 October 2010. Web. 27 Jan. 2016.