Document Design Principles What is Document Design Ensuring

Document Design Principles

What is Document Design ü Ensuring you communicate properly using tools other than words. ü The presentation of a document is AS important as the content.

Typography ü Use of different: ü Fonts ü Italics ü Size ü Capital Letters ü Bold

Headings and Subheadings ü Organize your document ü Allows for the reader to follow your topic and subtopics ü Directs the user ü Use different typography for main headings and subheadings (ie: different font sizes, bold)

Spacing ü Avoid cramming ü Use your space generously, but efficiently ü White (negative) space is as important ü You do not want to burden the user with too much information in little space

Colors ü Use color to communicate effectively ü Color is a good tool to attract the user’s attention ü Watch for color generalizations (ie: red for financial figures = debt)

Lists ü Use lists to summarize (bulleted lists) and explain procedures (numbered lists) ü Be sure to use sufficient spacing and be consistent with your list

Visual Conventions ü Use of tables ü A helpful tool to communicate a point or understanding ü Use of charts ü Visual description of your point, helps communicate your argument and or insights

Consistency ü A document should not be inconsistent ü Avoid too many typographic changes ü Keep long documents similar in general look and feel

Multi-Column Design ü A good way to use space efficiently ü Allows for information to be displayed clearly ü Should you have any visual conventions ü Column design can wrap around the visual

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