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

2. 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

3. Some Concepts Layout  Arrangement of elements on a page

4. 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

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

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

7. Kostelnick and Roberts, Designing Visual Language Principles of Design— Emphasis Emphasis— controls what stands out

8. Kostelnick and Roberts, Designing 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?

9. Principles of Design—Clarity (con’t)  Charts  Illustrations

10. Principles of Design— Conciseness Conciseness—designs that are appropriately succinct Charts are too concise to communicate effectively

11. Kostelnick and Roberts, Designing Visual Language Principles of Design— Conciseness Information consolidated Be careful of those stray fish.

12. Kostelnick and Roberts, Designing 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

13. Robin Williams, Non- Designer's Design Book 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

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

15. 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

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

17. 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?

18. 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

19. 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)

20. 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)

21. 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

22. 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