layout tips

[xiombarg]

Two things...

1) Can anyone point me to a good resource, either here or elsewhere, on doing layout? I'm not talking about a free course telling you everything you need to know to do layout, so much as a sort of listing of "general principles" that can be used to prevent one's self from making the usual boneheaded beginner/untrained layout mistakes. Common "rule of thumb" sort of stuff -- the sort of things that a real layout guru knows when to break the rules, but e starting out should seriously consider sticking to.

2) Anyone who of a cheap/free desktop publishing program that can handle Word files? A good one, by preference. ;-D

[Clay]

I found references to Serif PagePlus in some threads that you started.  It accepts Word files very happily, and is a fairly quality program.

[C. Edwards]

Let's see..

1)Matt Snyder has a nice 3 page PDF document on PDF publishing and basic layout concerns that you can find here.

2) I have Serif PagePlus 9.0 and I really like it. I don't know the normal retail price because I got a deal on it due to a previous purchase of an older version (PagePlus 6). It is one of the lower priced desktop publishing programs out there though.

-Chris

[Keith Senkowski]

Hey,

1) These might be of some help:

http://writing.colostate.edu/references/documents/desktop_publishing/index.cfm">Guide to Desktop Publishing
http://www.typography-1st.com/typo/prnc-des.shtml">Typography & Page Layout
http://desktoppub.about.com/cs/graphicdesign/a/designbasics.htm">Desktop Publishing

2) I'm a graphic/web/cd-rom designer by trade so I use professional layout programs so I wouldn't be much help as far as free stuff goes.  If you ware willing to spend the money I recommend InDesign CS.

Hope this helps,
Keith

[Weisshaupt]

I am, among other things, a freelance typographer, not a layouter, or graphical designer, but a guy who puts words on paper - and lately on digital stock.
Whenever someone asks me for advice on how to become a good typographer (or layout designer for that matter) I always point them to Robert Bringhursts "The Elements of Typographic Style". It's a great book, it outlines the history of typography as well as praxis, tips and conventions. The book itself is also an excellent example of good design.
I use the book as reference, a source of inspiration and when I need a helping hand in my work.