Rules of DTP: Lesson 12: Document Defaults

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Rules of DTP Lesson 12: Document Defaults From Jacci Howard Bear, your Guide to Desktop Publishing It's Not My Default Much of what we've covered in the last 11 lessons can be considered graphic design and typography issues. When we use software to apply those rules it becomes a desktop publishing issue. Today, we're going to do just that - teach our software to play by the rules we covered up to this point. This is the last desktop publishing rule in this class. Thanks for following the rules. Reset Software Document Defaults While the default settings for documents are designed to help you get started faster, relying on them for the final look of your document is usually not a good idea. Pages in this Lesson 1: Common Default Settings 2: Customization 3: Assignment Tips, Trivia, Tidbits Following the Rules "Right and wrong do not exist in graphic design. There is only effective and non-effective communication." You've probably seen that quote, oh, about a dozen times now. It appears on all 12 of the Rules of Desktop Publishing. Why? It's a reminder that while we call them "rules" they are really simply guidelines, suggestions, and best practices. There is no absolutely right or wrong way to do desktop publishing. There are simply methods that work better, are more effective than others. You've probably heard or read "rules are made to be broken" dozens of times. It applies easily to design and publishing. Rules can be broken. But first we need to learn the rules, understand why those rules were established in the first place. Then we'll know when breaking or bending the rules will work for a specific project. Previous Lessons in this Class Lesson 11: White Space All the Lessons If you were almost finished with this class when the format changed, you may want to have each of the previous lessons sent to you again if you want to go back and try all the assignments associated with each lesson. Try Another Class Create a Portfolio in 6 Days Are you starting a new desktop publishing business or wanting to expand an existing business by landing new clients? Looking for a new job related to graphic design or desktop publishing? Whatever your circumstances, a new portfolio could help you achieve your goal. To get you started I have a new email class to guide you through the process of putting together a winning portfolio. Sign up for Create a Portfolio in 6 Days. This email is written by: Jacci Howard Bear Desktop Publishing Guide Email Me | My Blog | My Forum   Missing a lesson? Click here. About U. is our collection of free online courses designed to help you learn a new skill, solve a problem, get something done, or just learn more about your world. Sign up now, and we will email you lessons on a daily or weekly basis. You are receiving this email because you subscribed to the About.com 'Rules of DTP' email. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2010 About.com   Advertisement