What I learned

1. My Top Ten By Kenneth Wigley

2. Number 10 I learned that there is a vast supply of publishing software available. The Adobe company produces several products including LiveCycle, Acrobat and, for our purposes, InDesign There are four current versions: CS, CS2, CS3, and CS4. All are available somewhere on campus, but they can be hard to find.

3. Number 9 I learned that when working with InDesign, you must make sure that you are working in the same version. The older systems will not communicate with the newer ones, and I haven’t discovered a way to save down. Be aware that if you have been working on an old system and you open the file on a computer that has the new system, it will open to the more advanced. The library has CS, the classrooms have CS2 and CS3, and the design lab has CS4.

4. Number 8 I learned that photography is a science. The difference between a successful publication and a not successful one can rest in a picture. There are multiple levels and effects drawn for how a shot is taken. It is effected by: Light Angle Content Position Contrast …and many other factures.

5. Number 7 I learned about the incredible amount of lumber and resources used to create the supplies for our publication. Paper mills all over the world tare through hundreds and thousands of tons of lumber a year. Knowing this makes me appreciate the effort and facilities that we have to get our supplies, but its also made me think about what impact we are having on the planet.

6. Number 6 I learned that the public is not necessarily a whole. There is a wide rage of factures that create the individual publics we seek to understand. They are based on: Age Sex Generation Wealth Education Background Location …and many more.

7. Number 5 I learned that Timeliness is an important facture to take into consideration when creating a publication. Always be aware that when you get something published, that it will probably be published in bulk. If your design dates it in a year, it may not be the best. Always be flexible with that type of content.

8. Number 4 I learned about the printing process here at GSU and abroad. There are multiple methods and machines used actually produce our publications. Some printing companies use older mechanical devices to create the finished product. These cost more but produce a unique effect. Most use computer technology and can have you out the door with your work that day.

9. Number 3 I learned that there is a wide variety of fonts available for use in creating a publication. Fonts or typography can make a big difference and really give a personality to your work. Free font sites include Dafont, 1001 Free Fonts and Fonts.com. Every word processer has a standard set. Just be aware of what fonts your printer may not have.

10. Number 2 I learned that photo quality makes a big difference when creating a publication. Just because a photo looks good on a computer screen doesn't mean that its going to look good on a page. The lowest resolution you usually encounter is a bitmap. If you are going to use a photo make sure its at least a JPEG.

11. Number 1 I learned how useful social networking sits are and how they can be used as a publication. Sending out a tweet on Twitter multiple readers can be as good as sending out a flyer. Using Facebook to promote an event is like getting a free poster. Blogs are also useful tools for communicating about an organization.

12. a little help form PRCA 3339 Class Barbara Nixon Morton, L. P. (2006). Strategic publications: Designing for target publics. Greenwood, AR: Best Books Plus.