Magazine Creation Tools

[lilrichie]

Hello,

I have been asked to help design/create a magazine based around unsigned music in the local area. Anyway with that aside what software would be best suited for the task.

I have had a quick look around and it seems people are generally using indesign or quark are these the two market leaders and what is the learning curve like on them.

Many Thanks
Rich

 

[Blue Velvet]

If you're accustomed to the Adobe apps, then I'd suggest InDesign as its interface is so similar to Illustrator or Photoshop. It also integrates so well with the other Adobe apps as well.

However, Quark has its own strengths, primarily a less-cluttered interface, in my opinion. But it doesn't have some of the features of InDesign... Many years ago, I found Quark very easy to pick up, especially when learned with the official training materials that are free on Quark's website.

If I was starting out today from scratch, I'd go for InDesign for the long-term but I'd also have to learn some Quark as it's still the market-leader here in the UK, probably due more to inertia and familiarity.

Regardless of what application you use, the most important thing to learn is how to put files together for print. It's easy to throw something that looks OK in both apps but when the printer charges you for fixing stuff or refuses to touch the files altogether, then you've got problems... so I recommend some training; the Adobe Classroom in a Book series are good for beginners as they are structured tutorials.

Just as an example, I spent yesterday fixing a student's InDesign work that was intended for print. No bleed was set or used, RGB JPGs, images at web-resolutions, broken links, missing fonts...

If any of the above doesn't mean anything to you, then you need some training to avoid making costly or time-consuming mistakes. In all cases, when in doubt, ask your printer or the pre-press people.

 

[lilrichie]

Thanks for the indepth reply.

I will have a look at Indesign and see about some tuition

 

[snickelfritz]

Indesign is a good choice.
Be sure to learn how to work with Object, Character, and Paragraph styles.

 

[CanadaRAM]

And get cash up front for the work....

Seriously, the failure rate for startup magazines is something like 90%. Don't extend credit.

 

[Father Jack]

I found Quark easier to get to grips with.

If you are interested in a F.E. evening class, you will find Quark classes easier to find than InDesign. In my area anyhow.

FJ

 

[aricher]

And get cash up front for the work....

Seriously, the failure rate for startup magazines is something like 90%. Don't extend credit.

The no credit policy is something you MUST adhere to. I used to run 2 culture mags in Chicago, one of which folded and the other was purchased by a media holding company. As CanadaRAM said, do not extend credit. That said, we did take goods/services trades for ad space. Restaurants and bars love to barter for ads. If you do take in-kind ad for food/liquor trades from restaurants/bars don't do dollar for dollar pricing as their food costs are obviously lower than menu prices. Take the ad space price and add 25-50%.