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How Adobe InDesign has Transformed the Graphic Design World

Written by Joseph Raguso, Content Creator

The Beginning 

When the first version was released in 1999, it is no secret that many seasoned designers could not adapt to this new software. At the time, the program of choice was QuarkXPress, which is still in use today by individual designers and large publishing houses to produce a variety of layouts. Users’ allegiance to Quark forced Adobe to redesign its first version and study the factors and assets that made its competitor more successful. Speed and performance were the two main factors that Adobe lacked compared to Quark. Adobe’s second version tackled that issue. The success of InDesign 2.0 helped set the stage for the modern software, which has steadily become a dominant figure in digital design. Its success was quickly parlayed into a business model that would leave its competition in the dust.

InDesign 2.0

InDesign is a desktop publishing software application for creating flyers, brochures, magazines, newspapers, books, and ebooks. InDesign is used by graphic designers, artists, publishers, and marketing professionals, and is both developed and produced by Adobe Systems, making it available individually or part of the Creative Cloud. While you’ve most likely heard of “clouds” used in media before, in this case, the Creative Cloud refers to a collection of applications used for design, marketing, and communications in print, video, and online.

Properly Learning the Softwares Functions

A concrete understanding of Adobe can take your Graphic Design production to new heights, creating a positive effect on your audience and business appeal. Live InDesign classes make it easier to ask questions about aspects of InDesign that may be specific to a graphic designers’ type of work. The American Graphics Institute offers free online tutorials by professional InDesign instructors that show how to solve common problems and create effective layouts. Experimenting with different features and functionalities on a practice document free from deadlines and criticism from a client or employer can prepare you for when it’s time to use InDesign professionally. A strong suggestion for graphic designers that are attempting to master the software is to take the independent InDesign certification exam. An InDesign Certification provides a credential that shows a mastery of graphic design skills.

The Importance of Exceptional Graphics 

This is more than simply aesthetics; graphic design is a form of communication between your business and your audience. Businesses use graphics in every stage of the marketing funnel, and having a strong grasp of digital media design concepts will effectively influence your audience. Your first impression is vital because it’s the first time a visitor interacts with your brand and will set the tone for the rest of your business relationship. Clever creativity will separate your business from the competition and enhance your brand’s image. Having a branding guide in place will help you and your team choose design elements that tell the same story and keep the look of your brand consistent. 

Other Design Options

InDesign has gained a great amount of pedigree in the graphic design world since its release 20 years ago, but it’s certainly not the only reliable software in its class. Programs like Canva and GIMP offer some of the best editing features for the beginner and more advanced graphic designer. Canva gives you a robust and intuitive drag-and-drop editor and access to over a million graphics, images, and fonts for quickly making any type of content. On the other hand, GIMP has notable functions such as noise reduction, image enhancement tools, customizable brushes, and color adjustment tools. Both platforms require minimal amounts of training to grasp the functions across the software and also offer free editing and management functions. If you have decided Adobe InDesign is not for you or you’d like to explore other options, there are great alternatives like Canva and GIMP to help improve your graphic design skills.  

Our Graphic Design Team has expertise in generating top-of-the-line graphics to best engage a variety of demographics. We can guide you in using custom graphics, tailored messaging, and consistent brand voice to give your business an advantage over your competition. To learn more about our Graphic Design services, or to request a quote for our full range of Digital Marketing services, call our main office in Tarrytown at (914) 909-5900. We look forward to working with you!