Page Layout with QuarkXpress 8

Page Layout

Page layout —the arrangement of text and images on both printed and digital pages — is a primary tool used by graphic designers to communicate messages in a compelling and memorable way. Through their creative talents, designers elicit emotional reactions through stunning and often awe-inspiring designs delivered through the canvas of effective page layout.

But in a commercial light, designers are challenged to combine their creative instincts with the needs of the business and consistent use of brand elements, and they are often burdened by needing mutiple software applications to bring their visions to life. This challenge becomes more complex as page layout evolves to encompass more complex dimensions — not just because of the Web, but also because of new digital media such as eBooks, smartphones, and tablets such as the iPad™.

Page Layout in a Cross-media World

Page layout has changed dramatically in the past few years.
Traditionally, page layout was about arranging design elements and content for printed pages to emphasize a message, make it more understandable, or to establish or maintain a brand. One of the biggest challenges was how to make all the content fit on a printed page bound by limited real estate.
But the emergence of new media — from the Web to interactive eBooks, smartphones, and the iPad — has fundamentally changed the nature of page layout. While fitting static content on a finite page used to be a primary challenge for print layouts, today the task demands that designers incorporate scrolling Web pages, interactivity, sound, animation, movies, slide shows, and other elements that produce multiple dimensions and unlimited depth for a single page — changing the notion of page layout altogether.
To fully use all of the layout options now available — and build portfolios that reflect the skills employers require — designers need tools that give them the best design functionality appropriate for each layout type. Ideally, they should be able to use one tool and maintain one source of information so that they can make one change and have it automatically reflected in all layouts.

Page Layout for Print, Web, and Digital

QuarkXPress is professional page-layout and design software that provides designers with a single creative tool and the most comprehensive, feature-rich, and intuitive foundation for cross-media design. While comprehensive in its features and capabilities, QuarkXPress also is one of the easiest design tools to learn.
Using QuarkXPress, designers can create layouts and:

• Import files created in Microsoft® Word, Microsoft Excel®, Adobe® Photoshop®, and Adobe Illustrator®
• Import graphics, photos, text, videos, sounds, and other assets for multiple media and adjust them to fit their needs
• Combine with QuarkXPress design elements such as Bézier lines and shapes and advanced formatting functionality
• Apply interactivity for digital media without having to write code
• Reuse content and design across print and digital media; synchronize content and design across media by specifying common content and design elements that automatically change everywhere when you change the original
• Directly export designs as PNG, JPG, PDF, PDF/X, HTML, XHTML, Flash® (SWF), Blio®, and in other file formats — even for digital publishing targets such as the iPad and iPhone®

If you have your own distribution channel, you can export for the Web (Flash) or as your own app (for iOS). If you don't want to set up your own distribution channel, you can export as ePub or for the Blio bookstore.
Design professional pages. Build pages for print, Web, and digital publishing in one creative application. Export and publish more efficiently. And have fun.

How to Learn QuarkXpress 8

QuarkXPress 8 is a publishing software tool commonly used by graphic designers, newspaper and magazine editors, and page layout professionals in other publishing companies. It is not a program that should be attempted without some tutorial, however, and because it has so many features to offer, understanding how to use QuarkXPress 8 will help you get the most out of the software.

Instructions

1. Go to the Quark 8 website and download the QuarkEd training manual. It is a useful resource for both new and old Quark 8 users and provides tips and training for all the major features in QuarkXPress 8. Search the QuarkXPress website for the type of training and tutorial you want. There are manuals on the QuarkXPress website that can customize training to your skills level. For example, if you want to learn shortcuts for techniques or learn how use the interface with fewer clicks, you'll find plenty of advice. You can get ideas from others who have uploaded their print content and discover how they were able to implement creative graphic effects.

2. Search for and download a training tutorial program online. Many provide videos that offer step-by-step tutorials for beginners and intermediate users. You may be able to install the software for a trial version to get an idea as to whether it will meet your needs. Just type "QuarkXPress 8 training tutorial" in a search engine and you will find many different types of tutorials.

3. Browse your local bookstore for a QuarkXPress 8 tutorial reference book. There are reference and training books for all sorts of programs. Many contain a CD installation so you can learn the basics and use the book as a reference.

QuarkXPress 8 Tutorial

QuarkXPress 8 is a publishing software program primarily developed for the design of printed items such as pamphlets, magazines and newspapers. It is commonly used by graphic designers, newspaper and magazine editors and page designers at other publications. It can be used to layout pages; import images, graphics and other artwork; and edit images and other content. Using QuarkXPress 8 is not very difficult, but the best way to learn it is probably through hands-on practice. The following, however, will help you learn how to perform some basic functions as a starting point.

Instructions

Starting a Project
1. Open a new file. Go to the File Menu and choose New. If using a Mac you could also click Project in the Create Pane of the Welcome Screen. A dialogue box will appear where you can set your project settings. Choose a name for your first layout and a type, such as "Print" if it is something you are intending on printing or "Interactive" if you are creating an animated banner. You can also choose whether or not it is a single or multi-page layout. Once you are finished defining your project, press "OK."
2. Add a layout. QuarkXPress documents are called "projects" which are containers for layouts. Layouts are, in turn, containers for pages. At any time you can add more layouts to your project. Go to the "Layout" menu, and choose "New." A dialogue box like the one before will appear and you can define your settings and name the layout. A project can have up to 25 layouts, so it's a good idea to give them descriptive names so they are easier to keep track of. Once you are finished with your settings for the new layout, click "OK."
3. Save the project. Even before you start working, it is a good idea to name and save your project and then save it regularly while you work. Go to the File Menu and click "Save."
Adding a Picture to a Layout
4. Make a picture box. Click the "Picture Box Tool" in the Tools window. You can then locate the position on your project where you would to add a picture and use the mouse to create a picture box.
5. Import a picture. Once you have a picture box, simply right click in the box and select "Import Picture" from the menu. Use the Browse tool to find the picture on your hard drive and click "OK."
6. Fit the picture. Your picture will probably not already be the same exact size of your picture box. To fit the picture, right click on the photo and select "Scale Picture to Box."