1. Introduction to Visual Communications PART 2: Desktop Publishing
3 Part 2 - Introduction to Dtp.ppt

2. Intro to Desktop Publishing
Desktop Publishing is
the use of computer-based software and equipment to produce publication materials (includes use of graphics and text)

3. Intro to Desktop Publishing
vs. Traditional Publishing
DTP features equipment small enough to fit on a desk (hence the name), yet capable of producing very high quality, inexpensive documents
Once created by professional designers using very sophisticated equipment (tended to be very expensive)
Now computer users can produce similar professional materials

4. Intro to Desktop Publishing
Important Considerations:
Content: info to convey to readers (what document says)
Character: mood created by document (fun, serious, business-like, etc.)
Purpose: what action is required by the reader (buy something, attend meeting, learn, etc.)
Form: type of document (newsletter, brochure, flyer, calendar, business card)

5. Intro to Desktop Publishing
Important Considerations:
Aesthetics: overall appearance of document
Audience: who you intend to have read your document
Environment: where document will appear (on its own, in a magazine, etc.)

6. Intro to Desktop Publishing
Typical Paper Sizes:
Letter: 8 ½” by 11” (most common)
Legal: 8 ½” by 14”
Broadsheet: 11” by 17” (also called “tabloid”)

7. Intro to Desktop Publishing
Page Layout:
Page Orientation
Vertical (Portrait)
Horizontal (Landscape)

8. Intro to Desktop Publishing
Single Column:
suitable for smaller documents/page sizes (such as novels, basic books, etc.)

9. Intro to Desktop Publishing
Multi-column:
two or more columns
the larger the sheet of paper, the greater the number of columns required (such as newspapers)
makes larger, more complex documents easier to read

10. Intro to Desktop Publishing
ALIGNING TEXT
There are 4 main ways to align (justify) text in a document
They are

11. Intro to Desktop Publishing
ALIGNING TEXT
Left Justified
text is lined up on left side and is jagged/uneven on right side
most commonly used justification
zxc sdofis dfo v xcoviuoiuf sdoi sd iu iudy io o dfo s oiuoi sdfoiuwe fjlv v podi sdpf p xc p x xp cvpo p poibpo ic poivp pco vp
df sido b iu dfoiudf oiuoidupewoi df
sdf sfiosdufosduf spoisyfo oisduf rgiooeo ro eruyi wriowu oiweu dlkjs sdvb o pd
sdoiusdofuoiosdfoig ieruoi uoe oer oiu oiu
sdoidosdiouos o sdo soi uye
fjl oeiu oiuwoe ohsdlkfhglkj blkxjcvluope o

12. Intro to Desktop Publishing
ALIGNING TEXT
Right Justified
text is lined up on right side and is jagged/uneven on left side
good for drawing attention to small sections
zxc sdofis dfo v xcoviuoiuf sdoi sd iu iudy io o dfo s oiuoi sdfoiuwe fjlv v podi sdpf p xc p x xp cvpo p poibpo ic poivp pco vp
df sido b iu dfoiudf oiuoidupewoi df
sdf sfiosdufosduf spoisyfo oisduf rgiooeo ro eruyi wriowu oiweu dlkjs sdvb o pd
sdoiusdofuoiosdfoig ieruoi uoe oer oiu oiu
sdoidosdiouos o sdo soi uye
fjl oeiu oiuwoe ohsdlkfhglkj blkxjcvluope o

13. Intro to Desktop Publishing
ALIGNING TEXT
Centre Justified
text is aligned along its centre
excellent for use as titles, subheadings, etc.
best for short sections of text
zxc sdofis dfo v xcoviuoiuf sdoi sd iu iudy io o dfo s oiuoi sdfoiuwe fjlv v podi sdpf p xc p x xp cvpo p poibpo ic poivp pco vp
df sido b iu dfoiudf oiuoidupewoi df
sdf sfiosdufosduf spoisyfo oisduf rgiooeo ro eruyi wriowu oiweu dlkjs sdvb o pd
sdoiusdofuoiosdfoig ieruoi uoe oer oiu oiu
sdoidosdiouos o sdo soi uye
fjl oeiu oiuwoe ohsdlkfhglkj blkxjcvluope o

14. Intro to Desktop Publishing
ALIGNING TEXT
Full Justified
text is lined up on BOTH the left and right margins
commonly used in multi-column documents (newspapers, magazines, newsletters)
tends to look cleaner than Left Justified
irregular spacing between words and letters creates full justification
zxc sdofis dfo v xcoviuoiuf sdoi sd iu iudy io o dfo s oiuoi sdfoiuwe fjlv v podi sdpf p xc p x xp cvpo p poibpo ic poivp pco vp
df sido b iu dfoiudf oiuoidupewoi df
sdf sfiosdufosduf spoisyfo oisduf rgiooeo ro eruyi wriowu oiweu dlkjs sdvb o pd
sdoiusdofuoiosdfoig ieruoi uoe oer oiu oiu
sdoidosdiouos o sdo soi uye
fjl oeiu oiuwoe ohsdlkfhglkj blkxjcvluope o

15. Intro to Desktop Publishing
Follow the “Rule of Thirds”
Based on the principle that the human eye follows around a visual space in a regular pattern.
Try to place objects in a well organized way on the page, with emphasis on the “third” points (place important elements at or near these points).

16. Intro to Desktop Publishing
“Rule of Thirds”
Intersection points of “third” lines create specific points of interest on a page
Here’s the most important spot!

17. Intro to Desktop Publishing
The 3 most important elements of a successful document are:
careful writing
thoughtful organization
effective design

18. Intro to Desktop Publishing
These elements grow out of an understanding of:
Your Audience
Your Message (what you want to say)
Your Resources (what equipment and material you can use to produce your document)

19. Intro to Desktop Publishing
ALWAYS REMEMBER
Keep your designs clean and simple!
Balance white space (30 to 50%) and graphic elements (contrast elements)
Vary sizes of objects (visual interest) – bigger is always more important.
Try to align each object with another object somewhere on the page.
Too much clutter can ruin a good idea and make your message difficult to understand!
Your designs should look as good in black and white as they do in colour!

20. Intro to Desktop Publishing
The DTP Design Process:
Clarify your purpose
Know your audience
Gather ideas and material
Plan your document (rough designs)
Layout your publication
Choose the right paper (for printing)
Put it all together

21. Intro to Desktop Publishing
For Homework
Find 2 samples of desktop publishing (1 good, 1 bad)
Look in magazines for samples
Refer to fonts, layout, etc. as reasons for effectiveness
Write approx. 1 paragraph analysis per sample