InDesign for Public Relations

An Introduction to InDesign in PR

By: Clarissa Nazarea

Photo Credit: Jaber Lounes

I never really associated design in and public relations. I always thought my career in PR meant writing press releases or creating content for social media. MAN WAS I WRONG! First, let me give a brief introduction to what InDesign is all about. A definition derived from American Graphics Institute, “InDesign is a desktop publishing software application for creating flyers, brochures, magazines, newspapers, and books.”  Can you see what I mean now? How can you tell a story in this day and age without any visuals? If you’re serious about actually landing a job in this profession, to stand out from the crowd means you have to be well-rounded in ALL aspects of media.

How can this powerful tool change your strategic communication in PRplan and why is it so important? The answer is simple, professionals in this field are required to be quick-witted, Jedi Mmasters for crisis communication management. Creating great content with your a design identity can bring brand awareness to the next level. Here is a great example of brand awareness from Sugarfina:

Photo Credit: Oberlo

InDesign can be a little overwhelming in the beginning. Believe me when I say, I felt a little light headed when my design professor went over the different tools/options in the software. Fear not, my fellow PR students! Although I’m still learning, I’ve debunked some of those fears by utilizing a nifty website called Creative Could Tutorials. This website is the mecca for all Adobe tools from InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator. You can even choose from beginner to experienced tutorials! 

The most useful tool for me right now is: The Clipping Path. This tool will be your best friend for last-minute projects which may require you to use an image online. Adobe User Guide  explains how to use it best:

Photo Credit: Adobe InDesign

1. Select an imported graphic, and choose Object > Clipping Path.
   
2. In the Clipping Path dialog box, choose Detect Edges in the Type menu. By default, the lightest tones are excluded; to exclude the darkest tones, also select the Invert option.
   
3. Specify the clipping path options, and click OK.
   
   
   

The next option is Threshold and Tolerance. I usually opt for a higher level of Threshold because it detects the image better resulting in a smoother, more specific, clipping path. Tolerance is useful for removing unwanted bumps due to stray pixels. 

The best way to use this software is to jump right in and start exploring what InDesign can do for your career. Trial and error is key! But once you get the hang of it, you will have a skill that is absolutely essential for our profession.

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