One of the big challenges of any project is figuring out how to maximize your time and get the best result. When the project is creating a layout in InDesign the solution to that challenge is the proper use of styles. Whether character, paragraph, or object, getting them all to integrate nicely together can be a bit daunting even for the most experienced designer. While there’s been plenty written and said on the subject, there’s never been one single extensive source of information…until now.
Michael Murphy, known to most of us as host of “The InDesigner” podcasts and the man who’s figuratively written the book on using styles in InDesign has now literally written the book on using styles in InDesign.
Entitled Adobe InDesign CS4 Styles: How to Create Better, Faster Text & Layouts, this in depth look at the use of styles to improve layouts and workflow is going to be must have for any serious InDesign user. Anyone familiar with Michael’s podcasts knows that he can push the limits of styles like no one else and he brings all of that experience to his first book.
Broken down into three parts–Text Styles which looks at the fundamentals of text styles, nested styles and grep styles; Styles beyond text which describes object, table and cell styles and their interaction with text styles; and finally a look at combining styles with the other features of InDesign such as drop caps, number lists, tables of contents, and style management. There will be two bonus chapter available online on the use of stroke styles and planning projects.
While it focuses on the use of InDesign CS4 there’s plenty here for users of earlier versions. With the exception of grep styles, most of the features are available in CS3 and earlier.
Adobe InDesign CS4 Styles: How to Create Better, Faster Text & Layouts is scheduled to ship April 15 and can be pre-ordered directly from Peachpit by clicking here. Use the code INDESIGNSTYLES for a 35% discount.
This article was last modified on December 19, 2021
This article was first published on April 4, 2009
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