Post on 04-Jan-2016
M. Reber© 04/20/23
Page Design and Elements
Visuals to Aid Comprehension
Overview
Page Design Design Principles Design Elements Headings Text White Space Graphics and Visual Aids Headers and Footers Physical Features of Paper
2
Overview
Page Design Design Principles Design Elements Headings Text White Space Graphics and Visual Aids Headers and Footers Physical Features of Paper
3
Page Design
Helps readers understand information Indicates hierarchy of ideas and concepts Helps readers locate information Emphasizes the most important content Encourages readers to feel good about a
communication and its subject matter Appeals to right-brained user’s Invites the eye
4
Overview
Page Design Design Principles Design Elements Headings Text White Space Graphics and Visual Aids Headers and Footers Physical Features of Paper
5
Design Principles
Consider your reader and purpose Align related visual elements with one another Use contrast to establish hierarchy and focus Use proximity to group related elements Use repetition to unify your communication
visually Select font types that are easy to read Design for ease of use and attractiveness
6
Overview
Page Design Design Principles Design Elements Headings Text White Space Graphics and Visual Aids Headers and Footers Physical Features of Paper
7
Design Elements
Elements Refers toHeadings and titles Labels for sections of your communication
Text Paragraphs, sentences, lists, steps
White space Blank areas
Visual aids Drawings, graphs, tables…
Headers and footers Page number, author name…
Physical features of paper Shape, size and bindings
8
Overview
Page Design Design Principles Design Elements Headings Text White Space Graphics and Visual Aids Headers and Footers Physical Features of Paper
9
Headings
Are the titles and subtitles you insert into the text to indicate the topic and purpose of the paragraphs
Provide an overview of the document/section Indicate the logic of the documents Indicate the topic of the upcoming section Enable readers to read selectively Provide breaks and white space in dense text Keep readers focused Keep the writer focused and organized
10
Designing Headings
Use no more than four levels of headings Make headings bold and avoid all caps Consistently distinguish heading level by proportionate point
size, indentation, font type (italics), capitalization, and other graphic elements
Use sans serif fonts such as Helvetica, Optima, or Arial Make the phrasing of headings accurate and descriptive Make headings grammatically parallel Use an appropriate number of headings Use task-oriented headings in instructions Avoid lone headings or stacked headings Do not use headings as lead-ins to lists, figures, or tables Adjust paragraph spacing above and below headings
11
12
Level 1 Heading
Level 2 Heading
Sample: Headings
Overview
Page Design Design Principles Design Elements Headings Text White Space Graphics and Visual Aids Headers and Footers Physical Features of Paper
13
General Guidelines for Text
Generally use 9-11 point size for body text, depending on the dimensions and purpose of your document (for user’s guides around 9 pt)
Use serif fonts such as Times New Roman, Garamond, or Palatino
Single space body text Indent text line to create a column of white
space on the right-hand side Adjust paragraph spacing above and below
paragraphs and text elements Do not shift text margins with heading margins
14
Lists: Bulleted and Numbered
Bulleted lists emphasize two or more items where order is not crucial
Some bullet lists have labels with a term in bold followed by a description or definition
Numbered lists have items that are in a required order, chronological process, or that must be referred to by number
Numbered lists usually indicate a step-by-step process that must be completed in a specific, sequential order
Lists add emphasis, increase readability, and add white space
15
16
Bulleted List
Numbered List
Sample: Bulleted and Numbered Lists
Guidelines for Lists
Use the right type of list (number or bullet) Include a lead-in sentence ending with a colon Check the grammatical connection between list items and lead-ins Avoid using too many lists or creating lists with too many items Don’t use lists with only one item Use standard punctuation and capitalization on list items Adjust spacing between list items for readability Make the phrasing of list items parallel Avoid lead articles on list items Correctly align list items and nested list items Include a bullet list at the end of the Overview or Introduction that
lists and explains all your H1s in your guide If additional information/definitions follow the item, add a period after
the item in bold, and add the extra text in unbold on the same line
17
Steps
Begin each step with a verb in command form (omit “you”)
Bold the command sentence Put additional information, notes, explanation
about each step is in unbold text on the same line or on the very next line
Include only one action per step (unless two actions must be completed simultaneously)
18
Overview
Page Design Design Principles Design Elements Headings Text White Space Graphics and Visual Aids Headers and Footers Physical Features of Paper
19
White Space
Is defined as any space on the page where there is no text
Adds visual clarity to the document Is created by defining the space along the:
margins, between lines, paragraphs, indentation, lead-ins & bullet text, bullets and the adjoining bulleted-text, etc.
Is created through the Styles and Formatting option in the Format Menu of MS-Word
20
White Space
21
Heading & Paragraph Text Spacing
Right Margin Spacing
Left Margin Spacing
Lead-in & Bullet Text Spacing
Bullet Spacing Bullet and Bullet Text Spacing
Paragraph Spacing
White Space – Sample
Overview
Page Design Design Principles Design Elements Headings Text White Space Graphics and Visual Aids Headers and Footers Physical Features of Paper
22
Notes, Warnings, and Tips
Notices are special emphasis techniques for text Search the text for situations that match the situations for your
notices Place notices with the text to which they apply Present high-severity notices at the beginning of a document Align notices with the text to which they apply Consolidate multiple notices when possible Use notice types consistently The types of notices are:
Danger: for situations where serious injury or fatality could occur Warning: for situations where minor injury could occur Caution: for situations where damage to equipment or data could occur Note: for situations where information needs to be emphasized, for exceptions,
special points, hints, and tips
23
Guidelines for Notices
While writing warnings and danger notices, consider including: Conditions Actions to avoid or to take Consequences Recovery
24
25
Sample: Tips Box
Tables, Graphs, and Charts
Tables are rows and columns of numbers, words, or symbols
Graphs show changes in data over time Charts are graphical representation of data in
the form of bar and pie charts, in general Use lists, charts, flowcharts, tables, diagrams,
and graphics to clarify and organize information Always introduce bullet lists and graphics with a
sentence followed by a colon (:)
26
Types of Illustrations
Photographs Drawings Flowcharts and other conceptual drawings Diagrams and schematics
27
Overview
Page Design Design Principles Design Elements Headings Text White Space Graphics and Visual Aids Headers and Footers Physical Features of Paper
28
Headers and Footers
Include a footer on all pages except the cover page and table of contents page
Footers should be of the same font type you use for your headings
Footer usually consists of three items: your name, the title of your guide, and the date
29
30
Header
Footer
Headers and Footers: Sample
Overview
Page Design Design Principles Design Elements Headings Text White Space Graphics and Visual Aids Headers and Footers Physical Features of Paper
31
Physical Features of Paper
Readers usually prefer manuals that are compact and manageable, such as 7 x 9
Use a paper that is thick enough so that text and graphics do not bleed through when you print on both sides
A paper with a slight gloss can look very professional
For binding, use coil, saddle stitch, or staples covered carefully by high quality tape
See course reader for specifics on paper and production of the guide
32