Mac Suite Workshop - InDesign

New document

Page size = finished, trimmed size
Columns, margins and bleed/slug are used for guides
Bleed prevents any white edges when trimmed - standard size is 3mm

Shortcuts

Cmd + Shift + > = Increase text size
The 'X' key switches between the fill and stroke

Swatches

Similarly to Photoshop, you are able to create new swatches in the options menu
All of the swatches you create in InDesign are already 'global' swatches
There is a link between the shape you applied a colour to and the colour itself therefore if the swatch is altered, all of the shapes using this colour also change

Tints

You can create tints of a particular swatch by going to the options menu

If the original swatch is altered, all other tints change accordingly

Pantone

Similarly to Photoshop and Illustrator, you can create pantone swatches in the same colour swatch window which tints can also be applied to

You can select a colour manually or enter a specific reference number

Placing artwork

Although Photoshop must be used for photographic imagery, Illustrator has much more flexbility

Photoshop

Before placing Photoshop artwork into an InDesign document, it must be:

• CMYK or Greyscale
• 300 dpi
• Actual size
• Saved as .tiff's or .psd's

With a .psd file, certain elements can have transparency whereas this cannot be achieved with .tiff's.

Illustrator (size and resolution is irrelevant)

It must be:

• CMYK
• Saved as .ai
• .. and that's it

You can place images by going to File > Place. When a duotone image is placed into InDesign, the spot colours are automatically added to the swatch window

Illustrator artwork

Only the artwork is placed

Transparency is imported by default but can be changed in the import options window

File management

Keep the InDesign document and all linked artwork together to avoid missing links

If the original artwork is changed, InDesign will automatically update

Alt + double click opens the original artwork in Photoshop/Illustrator according to its file format

A .tiff image will automatically open up in 'preview' but can be changed by going to the image > Right click > Get info > Open With and change to Adobe Photoshop.

Applying a spot colour to a greyscale image (duotone)

After importing a greyscale image, you are able to add a spot colour by selecting the circle which appears when you hover over the image itself (below)

In the fill option of the swatches window, you can choose a specific spot colour

Separations

A document is separated into each 'colour' - process and spot

In the 'output' option of the print window, the default colour output is 'composite grey' 

By choosing 'separations', you are able to see how many plates are needed to print the document as the colours are now separated into C, M, Y and K aswell as any other spot colours 

This can also be accessed by going to Window > Output > Separations Preview

You can see individual separations by 'hiding' other separations

Spot colours from other InDesign documents will appear on all others

Any unused spot colours must be deleted before going to print as there may be additional costs

Only one spot colour (and black) is needed for the image below therefore all others should be removed

Knock out

When two colours overlap, one 'knocks out' the other (below)

This saves on ink and prevents the two inks from mixing and producing another colour

As black ink is so dense, this overprints and therefore does not apply to this default setting

Overprint fill

2 colours are able to make a third by using the 'overprint fill' option

This can be accessed by going to Window > Output > Attributed

The separations preview shows that the full colour is printed

Maximum ink limit

In the separations preview window, you are able to see whether you have exceeded the maximum ink limit by changing 'Separations' to 'Ink limit' - a red/pink colour will appear

I found the following example of overprint online:

Source: underconsideration.com

Good is...? Nets

Using the same A4 scale in which we were given the nets, I created some test pieces to gain insight into shape and form - plus I find it difficult to visualise 3D objects from 2D nets. I presume the following is a CD packaging..

Envelope with window which could be interesting to manipulate and form part of an idea/concept. 

Another CD packaging with a different locking mechanism.

Unusual bottle shape with indents either side which was difficult to form at such a small scale due to the minuscule tabs. My initial idea for the 'What is a good' outcome overall was to package nostalgia in typical and mundane medicinal packaging - something which I could experiment with the following:

Good is...? Colour

As nostalgia (and optimism) have positive associations, I wanted colours that were not too dark but instead, were subdued and connoted positivity. The workshops we have had allowed me to experiment with different pantone swatches in order to devise a colour scheme that was harmonious and reflected the idea of optimism effectively.

Colour meanings

Grey

People who like Grey tend to be neutral about life. They like to protect themselves from the hectic world in a blanket of non-commitment preferring a secure, safe, balanced existence. They work hard and are the "middle of the road" type of individual.


Orange

While red is associated with fiery heat, orange is associated with the benign warmth of the sun. A dynamic color to be sure, orange offers a more thoughtful control than explosive red. Curiosity is a driving characteristic of orange, and with it comes exploration of new things. Put some orange in your life when you want:

• to spice things up when you feel time is dragging 
• to become more involved in something 
• to increase creativity 
• relief from things becoming too serious

Green

Green contains the powerful energies of nature, growth, desire to expand or increase. Balance and a sense of order are found in the color green. Change and transformation is necessary for growth, and so this ability to sustain changes is also a part of the energy of green.  Put some green in your life when you want:  

• a new state of balance 
• feel a need for change or growth 
• freedom to pursue new ideas 
• protection from fears and anxieties connected with the demands of others

Orange, grey and/or green will most likely form the basis of a colour scheme for the final outcome, whatever it may be, due to its connotations and positive associations.

I found the following neutral, orange and green pantone swatches:

Top: Pantone 7534 C, 407 C, 756 C, 7542 C

Bottom: Pantone 409 C, 7544 C, 7540 C, CMYK

Good is...? Digital development

After devising several hand-rendered manipulations based on the original logo which was chosen, I was then able to create vectors of these and make even further alterations. This allowed me to create a more precise and concise logo design. I began by creating simple line outlines of the glass imagery (a somewhat cliche representation of 'optimism' but imagery which immediately reflects the given topic - and also part of the original logo). 

I then used block colour to create more impact and give the imagery 'substance'. I experimented with line additions and placements and looked at using reversed imagery in order to see which was the most effective design.

To keep a uniform design, I altered the spacing between the elements, outlined the strokes and manipulated the line paths so everything seemed structured. Although a slight change, it seems more 'easy on the eye'.

As I am pretty useless when it comes to hand-rendering type, I decided to experiment with pre-existing fonts. As optimism is defined as 'positive thinking', I wanted the choice of type to connote this. I decided to primarily look at rounded, sans-serif fonts and script fonts which were not too 'delicate'.

As I wanted the logo to be more directly related to my chosen 'good', I decided to use the word 'nostalgia' as opposed to 'optimism' but still retain the imagery. After speaking to some of my classmates, it was noted that people may not distinguish the link between a glass half full and nostalgia itself. I therefore added 2 small thought bubbles onto the 'i' letterform to connote a thought process.

Good is...? Logo development

Hand-rendered logo development