Quark Express

[Jodi Frye]

Does everyone in the world of graphic Design use Quark Express ??? Seems every job I look into requires knowledge of this software...which I don't have and can't afford but should be learning as we speak. Anyone know which academic software store doesn't check on whether or not you are actually a student or faculty member ? Thanx

[TORCH511]

Yeah, a lot of people still use Quark, though you see some switching to InDesign. To be honest, the two are pretty similar, aside from hotkey shortcuts which can be changed. Some of the terminology is different but the idea behind the two is the same.

[Jodi Frye]

ya I kind of figured the two would be similar though I don't have ID either since I never really needed it. I know I'm needing to get better equipped if I'm going to get anywhere....

[micke]

Jody,
I agree with Torch that you should learn both InDesign and Quark at this stage of the game if you want to work in advertising or graphic design, although publishing seems to be moving fast to InDesign.
If you really feel the need to learn Quark, I would recommend "Real World QuarkXPress" by David Blatner, Peachpit Press. ISBN 0-321-19959-6. I've been teaching Quark for over 10 years, and this is the best book I've read. If you read half of it you will know more than most Quark users, and will have at your fingertips the answers to almost any question.
Obviously you'll need to get the program. Many of my students just keep downloading the 90-day tryout. I don't know if you still can do that.
Good luck!
micke

[TORCH511]

You know, there are some things I liked about Quark. And if you understand basic concept of one, then you know the other. The advantage of InDesign is that with the popularity of Photoshop (I know, I said the forbidden word) and Illustrator, working in InDesign is a bit more intuitive (now if only Adobe would ditch Fireworks and bring back ImageReady.

[Scott Weichert]

(now if only Adobe would ditch Fireworks and bring back ImageReady.

amen brudda... I'm hoping CS4 shows more Adobe-esk interfaces.

[Jodi Frye]

micke, thanks so much for the heads up on the must have book ! I'll definitely gas-up and take a ride over to Amazon and check it out !

Torch, ya In Design will be on the list at some point but in all honesty the jobs I have been looking into only say ' Quark ' experience...so, I'm taking it from there first. Oh, since when is Photoshop a forbidden word around here ?? The jobs I look into also always ask for expertise in both ! :)

[AdobeAce]

Hi Jodi,

Micke is right! "Real World QuarkXPress" formerly "The QuarkXPress Book" is a tremendous book. It got me into Quark many years ago. As a Quark Certified Expert (Quark 6), I guesss you could say this book worked for me. David Blatner is one of the best software writers out there. He not only makes it clear, he makes it fun to read. A real talent!

As far as the Quark vs. InDesign thing – I knew the tide was turning toward InDesign, when the above mentioned, David Blatner (Mr. Quark), switched to InDesign a while back. Both are good layout programs and are worth learning. But most people who really know these two applications would agree that InDesign is the future.

And no, I don't work for Adobe or David Blatner.

Ace

[nutella]

Did you say Quark vs. InDesign (http://www.quarkvsindesign.com/)?