Document Design: Guidelines for Effective Information Layout Dr.

Document Design: Guidelines for Effective Information Layout Dr. Shelley Thomas ENGL 3100

Some Concepts Arrangement Organization of visual elements Sequence of information— chronological, causal, hierarchical Format Consistent design conventions of recurring elements such as headings, typeface, margins, columns, and boxes

Some Concepts Layout Arrangement page of elements on a

Some Concepts Physical appearance Shape Portrait or landscape Full page, folded brochure (tent style or book style), tri-fold, etc. Paper weight, color, and texture Type of binding Coil, tape, binder

Functions of Design Provides access to information Aids comprehension Enhances recall Motivates readers Meets readers’ expectations Facilitates ongoing use

Principles of Design— Arrangement Arrangement— shows structure of information Through numbering Spatial arrangement 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Kostelnick and Roberts, Desig ning Visual Language 1.0 1.1 1.2 2.0 2.1 2.2

Principles of Design— Emphasis Emphasis— controls what stands out Kostelnick and Roberts, Desig ning Visual Language

Principles of Design—Clarity Clarity—helps readers to access information quickly Encompasses many design elements Typefaces Easy to read? Appropriate for audience? Demonstrates professionalism? EASY-TO-READ ALL CAPS? Kostelnick and Roberts, Desig ning Visual Language

Principles of Design—Clarity (con’t) Charts Illustrations Household Pets 2002 40-50 Year 30-40 20-30 Cost Cats Dogs Birds Species 2001 Fish 10-20 0-10

Principles of Design— Conciseness Conciseness—designs that are appropriately succinct Birds Fish Charts are too concise to communicate effectively 1 1 2 2 Dogs Cats 1 2001 2 2002

Principles of Design— Conciseness Information consolidated Strays Adopted 50 40 30 2001 2002 20 Number 10 0 Cats Dogs Birds Fish Species Be careful of those stray fish. Kostelnick and Roberts, Desig ning Visual Language

Principles of Design—Tone and Ethos Tone—reveals the designer’s attitude toward the audience Ethos—cultivates a sense of credibility with the audience Kostelnick and Roberts, Desig ning Visual Language

Non-Designer’s Guidelines Proximity and Alignment http://coe.sdsu.edu/eet/articles/designprin1/start.htm Repetition and Contrast http://coe.sdsu.edu/eet/articles/designprin2/start.htm Robin Williams, Non-Designer' s Design Book

Elements of Design Number of columns Line length White spaces—margins, open space, vertical or horizontal layouts Visuals—number and placement

Elements of Design Paragraph length and indentation Lists—numbered, bulleted Headings—levels, size, font, capital style, placement Portrait vs. landscape page orientation Type—font, size, style

Elements of Design Rules, boxes, underlining, pointers Shading, color Binding, folding, document size Paper—weight, color, texture

Document Design Decisions Do I use text or a visual representation? Where do I place text, visuals? How many columns should I use? How do I group common elements? What type styles and sizes should I use? How do I accommodate different types of readers?

Implementing Design Principles Chunking Coding information into meaningful units and separating them from other units Using White Space White space is not a left over area, it is an active design element that separates and emphasizes

Implementing Design Principles Sequencing Establishing a sequence of stops for the reader (large to small, high to low, left to right, color to black and white, bold to light, irregular to normal shapes)

Implementing Design Principles Navigating Using navigational aids such as visual markers (tabs, bullets, graphics, white space) and verbal guides (table of contents, lists, headings, indices, headers, footers)

Implementing Design Principles Signaling Using cues that preview organization, indicate hierarchy, or show relationships such as type size, italics, bold, color, underlining, preview statements, connectives

Advantages of Effective Document Design Accommodates different types of reading Points readers to most important material Promotes comprehension Enhances recall GOAL: Instant and lasting communication