Indesign vs. Illustrator...
- Started
- Last post
- 17 Responses
- luckyorphan
...for packaging.
We're having a clashing of preferences in the office. Just thought I'd open it up here to the pixel-pushers who have designed their fair share of packages. I have my pref, but I'm curious...
Do you prefer to use InDesign or Illustrator?
- Amicus0
It depends.
- marychain0
don't call me pixel pusher....it offends my sensibilities
damn it now....you've put me off for the night in search of worth.
- Fine. Sorry, mouse-clicker.luckyorphan
- illustrator isnt really bout pixels anyways********
- splitting hairs i know********
- ukit0
pixel pusher = racist
- ali0
yes, depends on how illustrative the packaging is.
Personally, because it's faster(less rendering) and easier I would use indesign for backgrounds, type (unless illustrative) and dies (if simple) then import the graphics from illy.
- akrokdesign0
i just joined, what's the score. :-)
- akrokdesign0
both.
i make the die-lines in illustrator
i set the type with indesign
- ********0
i prefer indesign for about everything. can always just copy and paste from illustrator into indesign with no problems. if it wont let you because its complex then place it. type and such ill do in illustrator and paste into indesign. indesign just seems more efficient for that last step of putting it all together to me. i work with people who liked illustrator for that stuff over indesign but its usually because of familiarity. they have finally adapted and seem to like indesign over illustrator now. but liek amicus said it depends. gotta flow like water. ive chosen illsutraotr over indesign for some projects, but majority is indesign
- do whatever youre more efficent in while recognizing the possibility to be more efficient********
- oh and by type i mean your custom outline stuff. regualr type i way prefer indesign********
- do whatever youre more efficent in while recognizing the possibility to be more efficient
- VectorMasked0
So far I've only used illy eventhough it's a little annoying to do the type there. Can't really see myself using indesign for packaging anytime soon.
- maikel0
- Indesign for multiple languages / several products in a line w a single die/layout
- Illy for one-off products, or extremely complex packs, like multi-parts / multi materials.
at the end of the day what is important is your design rather than what software you use. Ain't it?
- PIZZA0
They're for different things... don't really think you should be comparing them directly or using them for exactly the same thing in the studio.
I mean in theory you could use InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop or Fireworks to design a website... but why bother when Fireworks does it best.
- they are both viable for packaging, just as all of those apps are viable for websitesmonospaced
- detritus0
(InDesign virgin here..)
Can you create text areas in InDesign and import them as 'Smart Objects' in to Illy? If so, that would be my preference. Last time I did packaging, it was a bit of a ballache with large translated-text tract changes. Otherwise I'd just use Illy as there's generally not *that* much text formatting involved (compared to brochures, &c).
- robulation0
I normally always think of Illustrator being used for the concept stages, maybe lining all the products side by side in Illustrator. I always used to artwork everything in Illustrator, but InDesign is way better for that kind of thing now, and only because if it crashes, you get it all back!
- ooi, why is inDesign better for artworking?detritus
- Don't get me wrong, I totally love Illy, the things you can do with transparency masks etc. BUT file linking is a bit clunky in itrobulation
- d_rek0
Illustrator for working on the dieline, but if the typography is too complex will work in indesign. It's really a matter of preference and whichever is more appropriate.
- Amicus0
I much prefer InDesign for 95% of text work. Illustrator is great for creating vector artwork, Photoshop for pixel stuff, but InDesign will put them all together in a much more efficient way than either Illy or PS.
If I'm customising a lot of text with little or no pixel work then I'll consider Illy, but as I already said it's almost always easier combining the final art in InDesign.
- +true dat, especially when working with large photographic assetsd_rek
- jimzy0
Smaller, more lightweight packaging projects without large imagery is fine in illustrator i think. But i think indesign is a must if you're dealing with large amounts of type and photography.
I made changes to a range of packaging which were done in illustrator and it nearly killed me. Took almost a day. The same changes in indesign wouldn't have taken an hour.
Like others have said here — import your vectors, keylines and illustrations into indesign, using both together is the best option.
- megE0
Am I the only one who found it funny to be called a pixel-pusher when being asked about a vector and page-layout programs
:p
*giggle
- blissfully easily amused :)megE
- you're not alonemonospaced
