PAGE DESIGN

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PAGE DESIGN

• Giving Your Work the Best Possible Appearance

2
Introduction

• Definition and Purpose
• Page Layout
• Space
• Fonts
• Type Size
• Headings
• Graphics
• Emphasis
• Navigation

3
Definition and Purpose

• Page design is a clear arrangement of materials
  (formatting options) that lets readers understand
  the document from a visual standpoint.
• The appearance of a technical writing document
  is as important as the information it contains.
• Good design makes it as easy as possible for the
  audience to read and understand the document.

4
Page Layout

• Affects how audiences react to and interact with
  the information on the page
• Poor organizationreaders cant find what they
  need.
• Unattractive appearancereaders are reluctant to
  read the document.
• Expectationsreaders want visual appeal, logical
  organization, and easy navigation.

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White (Empty) Space

• Space breaks up the regular visual pattern
• Reluctant readers are easily intimidated
• Page attributes
• Non-threatening appearance
• Double space
• Wide margins
• Threatening appearance
• Single space
• Narrow margins
• Small type

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Adding Empty Space

• Columns
• Multiple columns per page shorten the horizontal
  line of text
• Extra empty space appears in margins between
  columns
• Graphics
• Small pictures or icons provide contrast to text
• Graphics need a border of empty space so as not
  to crowd the text

7
Fonts

• Sans serif example, Comic Sans MS
• Serif example, Garamond (font used on these
  slides)
• Either ok for short documents
• Serif preferable for long documents

8
Type Size

• 10 or 12 point size is the average choice for
  documents. 10 point is okay for large fonts, 12
  point for small fonts.
• This is 10 point.
• This is 12 point.
• PowerPoint uses 28 and 32 point sizes for easier
  viewing of slides. This is 28 point. Slide
  title 44 point.
• The type of document determines the best font
  size.

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Headings

• Purpose to announce document organization,
  point readers to information, divide document
  into accessible chunks, help readers remember
  information
• Style all headings on same level should have
  identical appearance
• Sans serif fonts good for headings
• Phrase or question format for headings
• Grammatical parallelism is as necessary as visual
  consistency (slide headings are all noun
  phrases).

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Headings 2

• Heading hierarchy shows the levels in the
  document.
• The title is the largest heading.
• Heading 2 points larger than type in the section
• Location as well as appearance shows levels
• Center major headings and title
• Place minor headings at left margin
• Documentation styles define heading appearance
  and spacing.

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Graphics

• Purpose to supplement text
• Placement alternatives
• On the same page as the text allow plenty of
  empty space around graphic. Can wrap text around
  graphic
• On page of its own should be the page after the
  graphic is referred to in text.
• Some graphics have labels table or figure .
  Title or caption.

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FIGURE 1. COMPOSER SCREEN SHOT
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ADDING GRAPHICS 2

• When adding graphics using a computer, the amount
  of empty space will already be calculated.
  PowerPoint may not allow label creation with
  certain slide styles.

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Emphasis

• Use design elements to bring important points to
  your audiences attention.
• Bold, italicize, or underline important words,
  phrases, or sentences.
• Use emphasis sparingly to avoid diluting its
  impact.

15
Navigation

• Keep audience from getting lost within document.
• Use page numbers, table of contents, headings, or
  hyperlinks to help audience maneuver through the
  document.

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Page Road Map

• Visual hierarchy (headings, graphics, title)
• Emphasis (bold, underlining, italics)
• Navigation (page numbers, hyperlinks)
• Contrast (text and empty space)
• Format following Western reading convention (left
  to right)