DESIGNING DOCUMENTS And page layout What is document design? Refers to page layout, that is, where the visuals and information are placed on.
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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? RHG Medical Labs X-RAY SPECIALISTS BLOOD TECHNICIANS DIAGNOSTIC & EXPLORATORY MAMMOGRAPHY ULTRASOUND MRI CAT SCAN BLOOD ANALYSIS URINANALYSIS COLONOSCOPY SIGMOIDOSCOPY BY APPOINTMENT DOCTOR’S REFERRAL REQUIRED BRING REFERRAL TO APPOINTMENT 1257 KING ST. W LEEDS, MB 205-123-4567 SCHEDULING@ RHGLABS.COM