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.