Adobe InDesign and Patrick Toebosch, lecturer at Catena Company… a perfect pair. For over 20 years, Adobe InDesign has been a cornerstone in the world of design. Nostalgia kicks in! And Patrick Toebosch has been there, closely following the tool’s evolution throughout his career. We asked Patrick to share his experiences and thoughts on the highlights of InDesign’s development.
Were you there at the birth of Adobe InDesign?
“I remember when Adobe InDesign debuted on 31 August 1999, under the name ‘K2 version 1.0’. Unfortunately, I missed that initial launch, but I’ve been involved since version 2.0. Adobe InDesign emerged to meet needs that competitors like QuarkXPress and PageMaker couldn’t fully address. Adobe introduced a groundbreaking concept with InDesign: a core program enhanced by additional modules. This approach brought features like vector drawing capabilities, advanced typography, transparency options, and OpenType support to users’ fingertips.”
How have you seen Adobe InDesign evolve during your career?
“From the start, InDesign provided a robust platform for professional layouts, with extensive plug-in possibilities. Its open architecture allowed developers to easily add new features. For instance, InCopy has since become an integral part of InDesign. In the early years, Adobe paid close attention to user feedback, leading to rapid and meaningful improvements. However, as development shifted to low-wage countries, communication became more rigid, and some new features were not fully refined at launch. Still, this transition also brought advantages, such as improved integration with other Adobe programs like Photoshop and Illustrator.”
Which move from InDesign has stuck with you the most?
“The leap forward with the introduction of CS5 and CS6. Those versions introduced a wealth of new features, such as combining different paper formats in a single document, animations, and interactive PDFs. DPS (Digital Publishing Suite) was another groundbreaking addition for mobile content at the time. Unfortunately, subsequent price increases made it less accessible to smaller users.”
What do you think is still the best feature in Adobe InDesign?
“Simple but clever: the ALT key is indispensable. The ALT key quickly unlocks a host of hidden features and options. Fun fact: I believe this hotkey even won an award at some point! LOL.”
What is the best recent feature in InDesign?
“Without a doubt, importing PDF comments. Previously, you needed two screens to apply corrections from a PDF. Now, you can import those comments directly into InDesign, with corrections automatically applied if the proper annotations are used.”
What is the most important tool for beginners in InDesign?
“The revamped properties panel. This panel consolidates everything you need in one place, allowing beginners to get started much more quickly.”
Is InDesign still mainly for graphic designers?
“Not at all. While graphic designers remain key users, marketers are increasingly turning to InDesign for quick adjustments or layouts. Agencies often provide ready-made templates that marketers can use with ease. However, for more complex projects, a professional designer remains indispensable.”
What will the future bring?
“Adobe will need to take competition from tools like Affinity Publisher seriously. Affinity provides a strong alternative at a lower price, making it an appealing choice for many marketers. In addition, AI will start playing a bigger role. That said, Adobe Sensei is making life easier for users, requiring less technical expertise. Still, the creativity and unique style remains InDesign’s greatest strength- and that will always set it apart.”
“Being unique with your layouts, style, and creativity is what matters most. And that’s precisely where Adobe InDesign excels.”
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