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Effective Information Layout: Key Principles for Document Design

This document outlines essential guidelines for effective information layout in design, focusing on arrangement, organization, and sequence of visual elements. It emphasizes the significance of consistent design conventions—such as headings, typeface, and margins—as well as considerations for paper weight, color, and texture. Key design principles include clarity, conciseness, emphasis, and tone, all aimed at enhancing reader comprehension and engagement. By implementing strategic design techniques like chunking, sequencing, and signaling, documents can accommodate varying reading preferences and promote effective communication.

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Effective Information Layout: Key Principles for Document Design

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  1. Document Design:Guidelines for Effective Information Layout Dr. Shelley Thomas ENGL 3190

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

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

  8. 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, Designing Visual Language

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

  12. 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, Designing Visual Language

  13. 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

  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

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