DESIGNING TEXT FOR WEB

The elements of what constitutes good web design

BEFORE PUTTING PEN TO PAPER

What sorts of things should a writer

 consider before putting 'pen to paper?' 

Before putting pen to paper, a writer must first consider: What type of text am I writing? and who is my audience?:

Different texts require a different style of writing according to Sydner (1997). A science text book relies on diagrams, images, succinct, informative, and to the point language whereas a novel uses descriptive flowing text, minimal amount of images, no headings, and a longer sentence structure.

The next thing to consider according to Snyder (1997) is the importance of images where “certain forms of information may be better represented and communicated by visual rather than verbal means.” This refers to the theory that pictures can convey over a thousand words. This image-based communication may work well in a science text book, where the aim is to present information in an easy to understand, succinct way, however it would not work well in a novel where large amounts of text are relied upon for descriptive purposes, and pleasure (Snyder, 1997). It is therefore important to establish what type of text you are writing, the purpose, who it is for, and what your readers hope to find (Petelin & Putnis, 1996).

“A picture is worth a thousand words”

- Frederick R. Barnard, 1921

Source: http://www.factfixx.com/2012/01/17/who-said-that-a-picture-is-worth-a-thousand-words/

As well as considering the type of text and audience that you are writing to,  Petelin and Putnis (1996) have also studied two writing theories which could be used before writers put pen to paper. The two theories include the cognitive process theory and the social constructivist theory.

The Cognitive Process:

The cognitive process theory involves the writer’s “composing process” and deals with “thinking, inventing, conceptualizing, remembering, and developing” while also having the  assumption that “writing is an individual act, and that the writer’s language originates from the inner reaches of the individual’s mind” (Petelin & Putnis 1996). In order to prepare for writing in a cognitive manner, writers could speak their thoughts aloud, jot down ideas on a piece of paper, list their writing goals, or make a mind map comprised of possible themes and styles.

The Social Constructivist:

The social constructivist theory deals with the idea that “human language can be understood only from the perspective of a social group, not from the perspective of a single individual” (Petelin & Putnis 1996). This theory believes that knowledge is created through the interaction of individuals in their material and social circumstances(Petelin & Putnis 1996). Writers can therefore channel this theory into their planning by talking to the people around them, listening to their ideas, and discussing their writing with them.

Time, place, culture, and personal circumstances all play a big part in the social constructivist theory. Before putting pen to paper, writers could reflect on the times in which they live, their location and surroundings, the culture in which they are living, and their own personal circumstances.

Before putting paper to pen it is therefore essential to understand the sole purpose of  your publication by either speaking the idea aloud and jotting them down cognitively or through discussion and interaction of ideas with others, constructively.

References:

Petelin, R, Putnis, P 1996, Professional Communication: principles and application, Prentice Hall, Sydney

Snyder, I 1997, Page to screen: taking literacy into the electronic era, Allen & Unwin, N.S.W

WHAT CONSTITUTES GOOD DOCUMENT DESIGN?

Balance

Balance refers to having comparable visual 'weight' on both sides of a page or on opposing pages in a longer document. Think of page balance as similar to scales. Informal blance would be represented by a heavily weighted scale on one dise, balanced by two smaller scares equal to the total weight of the larger scale on the other side.

points about visual weight :

- big wights more than small
- dark weights more than light
- colour weighs more than similar circles or sqares
- unusual shaped weigh more than simple circles or squares

source: http://www.iconfinder.com/icondetails/45014/128/balance_gavel_justice_law_lawyer_icon

Proportion

Proportion refers to size and placement of text (Reep, 2006). The eye visually compaures the relationship of each elements area, size, weight, and location to all of the others in the page. The natural centre is the most common focal point when veiwing a page (Kimball & Hawkins, 2008).

Sequence

Sequence is important as it refers to the arrangement of design features so that readers can see them in the best order for their use of the document ( Reep, 2006). Readers usually begin reading a page at the top left corner and end at the bottom right corner (Reep, 2006).

Consistency

Consistency is important as it is the adherence to the uniform use of fonts, colors and alignment throughout a page layout or document. Consistency helps readers by emphasizing similar types of information and their similar importance.

Graphic Aids

Graphic Aids refers to figures and tables. They are not merely decorative additions to documents, but are essential in helping readers understand and use the information in a document, giving quick access to complicated information (Reed, 2006).

Graphic Aids also isolate the main topics in complex data, and help readers see relationshops amoung several sets of data.

Source: http://flowingdata.com/2011/01/31/charted-guide-to-fancy-alcoholic-beverages/

Written Cues

 Written cues help readers find specific information quickly. The most frequently used written cues are headings, headers and footers, jumplines, icons and company logos (Reed, 2006).

Headings for example:

• held readers find specific data
• provide outline of hierarchical information
• call attention to specific topics
• break up page

White Space

White space is the term for areas on a page that have no text or graphics. White space helps readers proces text efficiently. In documents with complicated data and lots of detail, white space rests readers' eyes and directs them to important information (Klein et al, 2011)

Constrast 

 Contrast refers to the dominant focus or element on a page. Use contrast to show difference and to create emphasis. For example, darker and larger visual elements stand out on a page Kimball & Hawkins, 2008). They are considered more interesting and are the focus of your document design Kimball & Hawkins, 2008).

Style

Style refers to the message you want your document to convey. Colours in particular reinforce the message and appeal specifically to the intended audience (Kimball & Hawkins, 2008) . Some style suggestions include:

- use of pale or muted shades to create a conservative, stable image. Bright colors express more activity or a more experimental style

- select bright colors for younger audiences and softers colours for older audience

- avoid following the latest tends in colour preferaces. Documents should stand out and be unique to it's self.

Typographic Devices

Typeography is deisgning with type in order to communicate a message. Typography should not at all call attention to itself, its purpose is to make work easier for the reader (Black et al 1992).

 

source: http://www.behance.net/gallery/Typography/4728665

Referances:

Black, A, Still P, Waller R 1992. 'Designing business documents, ' ' Monotype Typography Ltd, Redhill, England.

Klein, M. J, L, Shackleford 2011, ' Beyond Black and White: Document Design and Formatting in the Writing Classroom', Vol 2, Library of Congress Cataloging in-Publication Data

Reep, D 2006, 'Documet Design' in ' Technical Writning, Ch. 6 pp 133-172,Newyork

Kimball, M. A., & Hawkins, A. R. (2008). Document design: A guide for technical communicators. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin’s.

HOW HAVE BLOGS AFFECTED OUR COMMUNITY ?

A new era of democratic, electronic media has come upon us

Social media and blogs play an enourmous role in this new era of change. The following 10 points outline how blogging in particular has affected our community. 

Source: http://stephanielwalker.com/

1. NEAUTRALISATION

In the internet age readers can acess dozens of different perspectives and opinions on the same subject in order to better and from their own opinion.

2.TAILORING

News is no longer limited to the same news items that everyone else is reading or watching about. Modern news-seekers are able to tailor to their own interest and read about issues that they are passionate about.

3.ACTIVISM

Activist movements have been fostered and maintained by microblogging sites like Twitter and the 'Occupy Wall Street Journal'. Before this form of communication  the amount of support that a news organisation could can gain, was impossible.

5. NO CONSTRAINTS

There is no length contraints for bloggers. In-depth information is possible.

6.FREEDOM OF HOT TOPICS

Journalists are discouraged and forbidden to provide in-depth coverage to subversive topics. The blogosphere has changed this greatly. Bloggers have access to report information that would have once been completley out of reach.

7. TIME PROXIMITY

News can be updated instantaneously, while being accessed 24-7 around the clock.

8. A MORE GLOBAL SCOPE

Readers from around the world can contribute to opinions on blogs. The global scope and ramification of certain situations have become more evident.

9.COMMENTS ALLOWING INTERACTION

Throwing your own two cents into a blogger’s comment section allows them to personally respond.  Previous to blogs, peole were forced to be content with letters to an editor that were unlikely to even be published.

10. INFORMATION ACCESSABILITY

News can be accessed at anytime, alomost anywhere in the world due to constantly updated blogs. You no longer have to structure plans around television broadcasts and the arrival of a newspaper.