Features of InDesign

The main distinguishing feature of InDesign, and by extension most Adobe programs, is the ability to use layers. You can create multiple layers, and apply different elements of your document to different layers. This means that while you are working on one layer, you can hide the other layers, allowing for easier selection and editing. Layers are organized from top to bottom, with the top layers being shown above the ones lower down. InDesign also allows for more varied text editing, through the use of pathing. This is where you can draw a shape, and use the text on a path tool so that you are able to type on the outline of a shape. This also works on lines.

When using images in InDesign, the  type you use should depend on the purpose of your document. For example, if creating a document for the web, you would use RGB colour, as this produces a sharper and clearer image while on the internet. However, if you were creating a document to print, then it would be better to use CMYK colour, as this creates a better image with truer colours when printing. When naming images, you should never leave them with the default name of "Untitled1". This shows that you have been lazy with creating your document, and it does not let you know anything about the use of the image in your document. The same image could be named "DragonBanner 1435x225.psd", and from this file name you can immediately tell that the image is a banner, it has the dimensions of 1435x225px, and the file type is psd. Once you decide on a certain way to name your image files, you should keep them all similar, so you can easily tell the difference between each one and look in the same place for the information about the images.

When creating a colour in InDesign, you should create a new swatch. This is part of a colour palette that can be accessed from the toolbar on the right hand side of the screen.This allows you to create a new colour using RGB or CMYK colour types that is easily accessible and reusable for your document. Instead of leaving your swatch with it's default name, it would be better for future reference to name the colour relevant to what it is used for in your document. For example, if you came back to a document after a few months, and your found colours with names like "C:42 M:0 Y:0 K: 120", you would have no idea where and how they were used. If, however, you had renamed the colour to "Title Background", you would instantly know how you used that colour and where you could find it.

When you decide how to design a document, you need to look at the purpose of said document.Your document should have some distinguishing characteristics, such as a big headline banner or an image that is reused for an effect throughout the document. You should not just select a feature at random, though, you should look at several examples and decide which one suits the purpose of your document best. For example, a poster about cars would not be very effective if the distinguishing characteristic was a big headline banner with text instead of a picture of a car reused in the document.