Compuer Publishing with Indesign - Essay Example

Computer Publishing with Indesign Computer Publishing With Indesign Principle of Balance Balance is a visual equilibrium concept which relates to the physical appearance. In a composition, it reconciles the opposing forces resulting in a visual stability. For a composition to succeed it has to achieve balance asymmetrically or symmetrically. Balance in three dimensions is easily understood; when not achieved, an object easily tips over. The same balance principle applies for images on surfaces which are flat. However, visual balance replaces physical or actual balance creating a balance illusion (Cornell University, 1995). Each region of the painting in visual balance is a suggestion of a visual weight, degree of heaviness or lightness. An example is light colors appearing lighter than their dark counterparts. Neutral colors weigh less visually than brilliant colors. Warm colors like yellow have a tendency of expanding the size of an area, while cool colors do the opposite by contracting an area. Areas which are transparent seem to weigh less visually than the opaque ones (Cornell University, 1995). Horizontal and Vertical Balance In print, when components of an image are balanced right and left of the central axis, they are horizontally balanced. Whereas when they are balanced below and above, they are vertically balanced. However, when the components have a distribution around the central point, or springing out from a centre line, it is called radial balance (Cornell University, 1995). Symmetrical Balance Symmetrical balance is achieved when there is equal distribution of weight on both central axis sides. Symmetry is the most obvious and simplest type of balance. It can be used in publication to create a feeling of solidity. This can be achieved by pure symmetry and approximate symmetry (Cornell University, 1995). Pure symmetry distributes identical parts equally on either of the central axis side in a repetition which is mirror like. In publishing, pure symmetry can become monotonous easily and uninteresting due to its repetition. On the other hand, approximate symmetry has a greater interest and appeal for the viewer. These composition sides vary and are interesting to view. Although they are somewhat varied, they still have similarities making their relationship to be symmetrically balanced (Cornell University, 1995). Asymmetrical Balance Asymmetrical balance is achieved by making both central axis sides not to be identical, and still appear as if they are leaving the same weight visually. The equilibrium is "felt", with by balancing between composition parts rather than actual parts. If the artist can judge, feel, or estimate the visual weight and various elements, it should allow her/him to wholly balance them (Palomar College, 2002). Element of Texture Texture means surface and refers to surface as well. Everything with a surface has a texture. They range from smooth to the rough. The term “texture” has been misused in reference to only rough surfaces, which is wrong. Every surface has texture (Palomar College, 2002). Publishers use different textures to affect different ways of interest. Some surfaces are repellant while others are inviting. The same applies to the textures that suggest those surfaces. Publishers use different textures to increase a composition’s interest by addition of variety without the change of value or color relationships (Palomar College, 2002). Tactile Texture Tactile is touch. A Tactile texture is an actual 3D feel. It is of great importance to 3D design. Actual surface texture has to be seen or felt with light shining across the surface for the texture to be visible. Publishers most likely take this advantage to make their paintings look lively. Some mix a little sand with paint for a more tactile texture. Publishers make collages using textured paper among other 3D (like sandpaper, cardboard, string, etc.) in making tactile surfaces (Palomar College, 2002). Visual Texture Visual texture is the illusion of a surfaces texture. It is a 2D representation of a tactile texture. It does not matter the degree of roughness, the photograph surface is flat and smooth.         Visual texture is a key factor in a print since everything with a surface has a texture. Publishers use photographs as collage materials to emphasize the importance of texture. They use the many colors for illusion of the different textures, alongside the objects within the pictures and drawings. This makes collage potentially a very powerful technique. Collage allows people possessing no drawing skills and moderate technical skills to be able to create sophisticated images (Palomar College, 2002). Publishers use motifs, a repeated design figure or a design recurring element. This could be a shape, object, color, etc. When regularly repeated, a motif produces a certain pattern. A stronger pattern is produced by more regular repetition. Pattern and texture are related. When you take a close look at a tree, the leaves making its surface are visible. Moving back, the leave’s awareness and their texture diminishes. This is the way in which pattern gradually changes to a certain texture as the viewer moves away from the motifs. For natural patterns it is easy to do but for you to see a checker board grid as a texture you need to get far away. Thus patterns are more noticeable as compared to textures (Palomar College, 2002). PDF’s and Indesign PDF (Portable Document Format) is the ISO 32000-1 (international standard) for more reliable and secure exchange and distribution of electronic forms and documents. PDF is an open standard for exchanging documents exchange. It represents documents in different platforms independent of hardware, operating systems and application software. Each file with a “.pdf” extension encapsulates a description, complete with a flat document fixed-layout, including text, graphics, fonts and other display information (Adobe Systems, 2012). Several ways can be used to make PDFs interactive in InDesign. Using hyperlinks to navigate between pages of a document is the easiest way. InDesign hyperlinks are frustrating and confusing and sometimes intimidating. Most of the confusion comes from using the names hyperlink destination and hyperlink. A hyperlink is a link on the text document which InDesign refer to as a source. Where the link directs to is a hyperlink destination (Lauren, 2009). The software for viewing PDF is generally open source with many available versions. PDF creation software with printing capabilities is in-built in to many Linux distributions and Mac OS. Among the significant applications include the multi platform Microsoft Office, Open Office, and other numerous PDF printing drivers for MS Windows, DocBook PDF tools, pdfTeX system of typesetting system, Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Frame Maker, and Ghostscript. Google Docs is used as an online office suite to allow for saving and uploading to the PDF (Lauren, 2009). Adobe Acrobat is an example of proprietary software which allows annotation by the user by adding notes and highlighting to already existing PDF files. In UNIX, PDFedit is available which is under the GNU General Public License. Another application is Xournal, under GPL license. It is most significant in the annotation of different colors and fonts. It is also used for quickly highlighting and underlining lines of paragraphs or text. Xournal has a tool for recognizing shapes like rectangles, circles and squares. Xournal also allows copying, pasting and removal of annotations. Foxit Reader for MS Windows platform allows annotation of documents as well. The freeware alternative of PDF XChange Viewer allows markups and annotations without restrictions. In apple devices, Mac OS has an integrated PDF viewer which also allows for annotations. For annotations in mobile devices, the iPad has iAnnotatePDF and the iPhone has Aji Annotate. They both allow exporting the annotation’s summaries (Lauren, 2009). In some cases, PDFs are required to have all paper documents functionalities. This needs ink annotation. Many of the programs that accept ink input are not very responsive for handwriting using a tablet. Some solutions include PDF Annotator and Bluebeam PDF Revu (Lauren, 2009). Gutenberg Printing Press In the year 1440, a German, Johannes Gutenberg, invented the process of the printing press. With increased mechanization and refinements, it has been the principal printing means. Gutenberg’s printing method from movable type, which included the use of alloys and metal molds, oil-based inks, and a special press allowed for mass production of printed books for the first time in history (Annenberg Lerner, 2012). Gutenberg’s invention forever changed people’s lives in Europe and eventually it changed the lives globally. Bookmaking initially entailed copying of all the illustrations and words by hand. The copying had to be done onto parchment, which was scraped animal skin until it was smooth, thin and clean. This kind of labor made each book very costly. Gutenbergs press made book production less expensive, which allowed more people to purchase reading material (Annenberg Lerner, 2012). Education was rare and books were costly during the middle ages. Only the clergy were owners and regular readers of books. Majority of the books were written in Latin which was considered as the scholarship language. The educated middle class were able to afford books in the renaissance. They could now demand works in their languages, thanks to Gutenberg. The readers could now sample a great variety of books. Chivalry romances, almanacs, poetry and travel books, were all published during this time. As the books demand grew, its trade and industries related to it continued to flourish throughout Europe. Papermaking also thrived as a result. This resulted in a more literate population and stronger economies (Annenberg Lerner, 2012). The massive printing of books also helped in the spreading of an awareness of a philosophy which emerged when humanists or renaissance scholars returned to the works of the ancient writers. Previously, scholars were guided by the church teachings, and many people were concerned with actions which lead to heavenly rewards. During the middle ages the writings of pagan, ancient Greece and Rome, the "classics," were greatly ignored. In order to study the classics, the humanists learned ancient Latin and Greek, and later sought out the 2,000 years old manuscripts (Annenberg Lerner, 2012). References Annenberg Learner. (2012). Printing and Thinking. Retrieved 8 Mar., 2012 from . Adobe Systems. (2012). PDF Technology Center. Retrieved 8 Mar., 2012 from . Cornell University. (1995). Principles of Design. Retrieved 8 Mar., 2012 from . Lauren, K. (2009). How to Create Interactive PDF’s in InDesign Using Hyperlinks. Retrieved 8. Mar., 2012 from . Palomar College. (2002). Design and Composition. Retrieved 8 Mar., 2012 from . Read More