Scribd
Upload
39 views23 pages

Document Design-Guidelines For Effective Information Layout

This document discusses guidelines for effective document design. It covers concepts like arrangement of visual elements, consistent formatting, and physical design considerations. The principles of design discussed include using arrangement to show information structure, emphasis to draw attention, and clarity through readable typefaces and well-designed charts. Effective document design also considers conciseness, tone, and elements like columns, spacing, visuals, and type.

Uploaded by

Nabeel Ahmed
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
39 views23 pages

Document Design-Guidelines For Effective Information Layout

This document discusses guidelines for effective document design. It covers concepts like arrangement of visual elements, consistent formatting, and physical design considerations. The principles of design discussed include using arrangement to show information structure, emphasis to draw attention, and clarity through readable typefaces and well-designed charts. Effective document design also considers conciseness, tone, and elements like columns, spacing, visuals, and type.

Uploaded by

Nabeel Ahmed
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 23

Document Design

Guidelines for Effective


Information Layout
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 of elements on a
page
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— 1. 1.0

shows structure 2.
3.
1.1
1.2

of information
4.
5. 2.0
6. 2.1
 Through 2.2

numbering

 Spatial
arrangement
Principles of Design—
Emphasis
 Emphasis—
controls what
stands out
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?
Principles of Design—Clarity
(con’t)
 Charts
 Illustrations
Household Pets

2002

40-50
Year 30-40
20-30
Cost 2001 10-20
Cats Dogs Birds Fish 0-10
Species
Principles of Design—
Conciseness
 Conciseness—designs that are
appropriately succinct
Birds
Fish

Charts are too


concise to 1 1

communicate 2
2

effectively

Dogs Cats

1 2001
2 2002
Principles of Design—
Conciseness
 Information consolidated
Strays Adopted

50

40
Number

30 2001
20 2002

10

0
Cats Dogs Birds Fish
Species

Be careful of those stray fish.


Principles of Design—Tone
and Ethos
 Tone—reveals the designer’s
attitude toward the audience
 Ethos—cultivates a sense of
credibility with the audience
Non-Designer’s Guidelines
CLICK FOR FURTHER INFO.

 Proximity and Alignment


http://coe.sdsu.edu/eet/articles/designprin1/start.htm

 Repetition and Contrast


http://coe.sdsu.edu/eet/articles/designprin2/start.htm
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
THANK YOU!

You might also like