DESIGNING DOCUMENTS And page layout. What is document design? Refers to page layout, that is, where...
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Transcript of DESIGNING DOCUMENTS And page layout. What is document design? Refers to page layout, that is, where...
DESIGNING DOCUMENTS
And page layout
What is document design?
Refers to page layout, that is, where the visuals and information are placed on a page and the visual relationships established between these elements on the page (or between these elements and those on other pages in a multi-page document)
An effective layout can help users of technical communication
Poor layout can hinder users
What are the elements of document design?
Typefaces and fonts
White space Layout Boxes Lines
Illustrations Icons Lists, bullets,
numbers Arrows
Typefaces and fonts
Choose typefaces that are easy to read Use serif type for body text and sans
serif type for titles and headings Above all, match the typeface to the
needs of users/readers Easy-to-read vs. what does it say?
White space
Area on the page that has no text or graphic
White space is the background on the page
Gestalt theory explains how users distinguish text on a page as geometric shapes
Formatting, such as bold headings, separate sections of the page
Should margins be justified or ragged? Ragged right is easiest to read. Why?
Preserves the normal spacing between letters
Can add the visually unexpected Ragged borders can be used to attach
captions to photos
Capitals or lower case?
All caps call attention to a point But they are difficult to read Mixed upper and lower case define word
shape, which we use to distinguish one word from another
When to use all capitals? Seldom, only when you really must In small amounts, restricted to a few words To startle or grab attention To simulate screen shots
In-Class Exercise 5.1 (1 of 2)Examine the page layout
of each of your sample technical documents and compare how the information is presented.
Typefaces Headings Paragraph length Number of paragraphs
Type, location, and function of visuals
Labelling of figures or tables
Format and presentation of instructions
Format of notes, cautions, warnings
Additional design choices
In-Class Exercise 5.1 (2 of 2)Use these questions to help you analyse the
quality of design in your sample documents: Which layout is more attractive? Easier to follow? What relationship is there between the layout’s
appearance and its ease of use? Are sections out of order? Which documents have the most logical presentation
of information? If it has illustrations, are they appropriate? Should the
document have more or other illustrations? What kinds of visuals would be best?
How easy is it to locate section headings? How easy is it to see how one section relates to
another?
Four design principles
Proximity Alignment Repetition Contrast
Proximity
Refers to visual groupings of related items
Grouped items imply some relationship Separate items imply lack of relation Create proximity through grouping
related items on a page Aim for 3 to 5 items per page
What to avoid with proximity Putting too many separate elements on
a page Putting items in the centre and corners
of the page Using equal white space between
unrelated items Grouping unrelated items together to
imply a relationship
Alignment
Refers to lining up elements on a page Helps you avoid arbitrary placement of
elements on a page Helps you create visual connections on a
page Choose from
Left alignment Right alignment Centre alignment
Effective use of alignment
Choose one alignment and use it throughout your document
Left alignment doesn’t meant everything lined up along the left-hand margin, but everything lined towards the left on the page (rather than centred or right-aligned)
Centring creates a traditional look: it can be boring
Right alignment can add drama
Strategies to create alignment Make conscious choices about where you
place items on the page Find something else on the page to align an
element with Use alignment to
Organize the page and unify the items Create an artistic impression for your document
Avoid Using more than one alignment on the page (for
example, centred title, left-aligned headings)
Repetition
Consists of taking some aspect of the design and incorporating it consciously throughout the document
Choose typefaces, lines, bullets, or design elements (symbols, images, etc.) to repeat
Use repetition to Unify the page Add visual interest Increase the likelihood the pages will be read
Strategies for effective repetition Take elements of design and use them
consciously Turn some elements of the document
into conscious parts of the design Add elements expressly to create
repetition and design Avoid
Repetition to the point it becomes irritating
Contrast
Make two items exactly the same or make them very different
Use contrast to Make clear the purpose and organization of
the document To create visual interest on the page
Sources of contrast
Size (of font or graphic, for example) Typefaces Lines Colours Textures Horizontal and vertical design of text
strings
Main source of problems with contrast Come from not making items different
enough For example, are these lines different or
the same?
In fact, the first is a 1 pt. and the second a ¼ pt. line, but they don’t look that different, do they?
Lab Assignment 5.1: What changes would you make to improve the overall design of this telephone book ad?
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