I used placeholder text in five sample voucher designs (in InDesign CS4) where the terms and conditions were to go. The next time I opened up the vouchers (I opened all five at the same time) my machine ground to a halt. The reason… I eventually figured out, was that I had dynamic spelling turned on. As soon as I turned it off, I was back to normal speed. But remember, Greeked text is not compatible with Dynamic Spelling
While I agree the "Lorem ipsum" can be distracting, it's also a problem using real English text. And if it's 'appropriate' to the client, you risk them reading it and focusing on the words. The worst thing you can do is throw in rough headlines and subheads, particularly jokey ones. Many clients will take them literally and get distracted by the fact that you're not "on message".
I say this having had to explain it too many times!
Personally I think there's a case for representing text more like the traditional marker layout using grey lines or boxes.
Greek text is handy when you're thinking typography, to get the 'colour' of alternative typefaces.
Maybe this is just true in the academic world (I'm an art director at a University), but I've found that the closer my fake text is to what my client expects to see in the final product, the more problem I have convincing them that it's just fake text and will be replaced. I've had people get into irrational arguments with me over it and waste time trying to edit it! Using greeking makes it easy. They seem to get immediately that they're looking at placeholder text and move on. --Don
Greeked text
I used placeholder text in five sample voucher designs (in InDesign CS4) where the terms and conditions were to go. The next time I opened up the vouchers (I opened all five at the same time) my machine ground to a halt. The reason… I eventually figured out, was that I had dynamic spelling turned on. As soon as I turned it off, I was back to normal speed. But remember, Greeked text is not compatible with Dynamic Spelling
Greek text
While I agree the "Lorem ipsum" can be distracting, it's also a problem using real English text. And if it's 'appropriate' to the client, you risk them reading it and focusing on the words. The worst thing you can do is throw in rough headlines and subheads, particularly jokey ones. Many clients will take them literally and get distracted by the fact that you're not "on message".
I say this having had to explain it too many times!
Personally I think there's a case for representing text more like the traditional marker layout using grey lines or boxes.
Greek text is handy when you're thinking typography, to get the 'colour' of alternative typefaces.
Greeking Out
Maybe this is just true in the academic world (I'm an art director at a University), but I've found that the closer my fake text is to what my client expects to see in the final product, the more problem I have convincing them that it's just fake text and will be replaced. I've had people get into irrational arguments with me over it and waste time trying to edit it! Using greeking makes it easy. They seem to get immediately that they're looking at placeholder text and move on. --Don