An app to create magazines?

[aaquib]

I was just wondering if there were any apps that'd let me create professional looking magazines. I've used Pages and have seen the publishing layout in Word 2008 and was just wondering if there were any apps I'm looking over.

 

[Blue Velvet]

What kind of magazine do you wish to produce? And how do you want to distribute it?

InDesign and QuarkXpress are the two industry-standard applications for laying out publications and the like, but are expensive and have a considerable learning curve, particularly if you're not familiar with preparing artwork for press.

 

[aaquib]

It's by no means something that would be widely distributed. Just an assignment for school. I'm downloading the Indesign trial but have no experience with it and after reading about the learning curve, I may just have to use something simpler.

 

[Blue Velvet]

...I may just have to use something simpler.

Although I've never used Pages, due to using both Quark and InDesign, are there things you feel you would like to creatively achieve within Pages but can't?

One of the disadvantages of using a trial piece of software, is that you won't be able to open the files later without having a license, although you'd currently qualify for cheaper educational versions.

 

[aaquib]

Although I've never used Pages, due to using both Quark and InDesign, are there things you feel you would like to creatively achieve within Pages but can't?

One of the disadvantages of using a trial piece of software, is that you won't be able to open the files later without having a license, although you'd currently qualify for cheaper educational versions.

I'll really just need to make it, print it out, and then never really have to use it again. I've never really given Pages a try, but have just felt like it may be limited compared to an app that's dedicated for publishing.

 

[exegete77]

For your work, Pages should be more than sufficient. And it is a decent word processor too. Plus, you get Keynote and Numbers along with it - a win-win situation. For $79 (US), that’s far better than $400-600 (US) for InDesign.

 

[firstapple]

If you ever get into publishing / design seriously you may consider trying to see the best academic deal you can get on Quark. My girlfriend's school has it on sale for $99 right now.