“I like the idea that QuarkXPress is working with color-based transparency instead of object-based transparency.”

“I use QuarkXPress® mainly for print layouts. I design wall calendars, brochures, audio CD covers and advertising materials for companies such as Universal Music Poland and Agencja Rynku Rolnego, the Polish government agency,” reports Piotr Ceraficki, who works as a freelance designer in Warsaw, Poland. “I have tried to work with InDesign®, too, but luckily switched back to QuarkXPress quickly. I love the workspace organization of QuarkXPress, where I can handle several layouts within one project. This is fantastic — for the first time I have all graphic design inside one file, for example, when designing a CD cover, the corresponding booklet, and an inlay card.”

It didn’t take Piotr Ceraficki much time to explore the new creative functions of QuarkXPress, such as transparencies, drop shadows and PSD import. “I combine PSD import with merge options to create interesting effects: For example I create a special shape for a picture box and import a PSD file, which I can then adjust right inside the application using the Photoshop® functions QuarkXPress offers. I also use drop shadows quite often. For example I skew, offset, and scale drop shadows and create runarounds from drop shadows. I also like the idea that QuarkXPress is working with colour-based transparency instead of object-based transparency. This gives me much more creative freedom. And the software always works with very high speed even if I use a full resolution preview and work on a large document. QuarkXPress solves practically all creative challenges I face in my daily job. I don't need anything more....”