Disclaimer: This writer worked as technical editor of the book being reviewed. The book author is, of course, the editor-in-chief of QuarkVsInDesign.com
The newest release of Adobe’s page layout standard, InDesign CS3, is simply dripping with new features. From transparency and object effects and styles to expanded graphic effects such as gradient feather to the new interface, it’s an eye-glazing candy store for the layout artist.
But where does one start with the new stuff? More to the point, how can one access the new stuff in a way that makes the best use of it?
An Approach on a Gradient
In its 12 chapters, Pariah S. Burke’s Mastering InDesign CS3 for Print Design and Production (Sybex/Wiley, $49.99 US, ISBN 987–0‑470–11456‑8) takes you up the learning curve in chapters that follow a logical thematic progression, from the basics of Text to the advanced subjects involved in collaboration. With his extensive experience in print publication design and software, he takes you on a thorough tour of the ins and outs of InDesign CS3, its ways and means, and tips on not only how to make it work, but how to make it work for you. This is enhanced with numerous “MasterIt” exercises and “Real World Scenarios” designed to get the reader plugged in to what the program can accomplish for them.
Accessible Advancements and Productivity
For new and experienced users, some of the most referred-to content in the book might be Chapter 6–Objects. In this important chapter, Burke takes a close look at the new object styles and effects. The emphasis is on doing as much possible within InDesign, and from my own experience, I can confidently say that the eye is toward saving the user as many steps as possible.
More than anything, these new object effects and styles make it even more possible for the layout artist to accomplish what they need to do without making side trips into Illustrator and Photoshop. After all, it’s mad useful to have PS and Illy to hand, and incredibly useful and easy to invoke with Adobe’s integrative outlook, but if you just want to, say, put in a gradient feather effect, you now don’t have to fire up Photoshop, generate an adjustment layer, apply a gradient mask, and resave the graphic just to get your gradient–you just do it from within InDesign. Pariah’s approaches this and every topic with the eye toward increasing efficiency and reducing wasted motion–less futzing about with the app, more creative problem solving for the user.
Perhaps the most important benefit this book offers is, indeed, the author’s focused approach toward efficient practices overall.
Going the Distance
One of the truest tests of a well-done instructional book is that whether or not the book teaches you what you want to know, does it make a good ongoing reference–can you put it on your shelf and expect to be able to grab it later to check your knowledge or refresh your know-how, if necessary?
To me, this book has what it takes. Not only does it have the author’s thorough understanding of what InDesign CS3 can do for you and how you can make it do it, its well and lavishly designed–generous with color illustrations, well-laid out and logically organized. It is a book that can live at hand on your desk and be referred to in future for that bit of information you’ll need to get the job done.
But judge for yourself; Pariah has posted some content from Chapter 12 (Collaboration) here on Quark Vs InDesign, and knowing what I know about the book, I think it will sell you on it.