Document Design: Guidelines for Effective Information Layout - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Document Design: Guidelines for Effective Information Layout

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Supra. Levels of Design. Intra. Controls local variation of the text ... Helps readers understand the text within a given field ... Supra ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

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Title: Document Design: Guidelines for Effective Information Layout


1
Document DesignGuidelines for Effective
Information Layout
  • Dr. Shelley Thomas

2
Rhetorical Situation
  • Audience
  • Purpose
  • Context

3
Levels of Design
  • Intra
  • Inter
  • Extra
  • Supra

4
Levels of Design
  • Intra
  • Controls local variation of the text
  • Type size, font, expanded or condensed text,
    punctuation marks

5
Levels of Design
  • Inter
  • Helps readers understand the text within a given
    field
  • Hierarchy shown by type size (heading levels)
  • Text divided into units (columns) hierarchy
    shown by placement (centering)
  • Separates information (bullets in lists, lines
    between columns)

6
Levels of Design
  • Extra
  • Operates outside the main text as autonomous
    entities with their own visual vocabulary and
    conventional forms
  • Includes pictures, data displays, icons, symbols

7
Levels of Design
  • Supra
  • Includes top-down design elements that visually
    define, structure and unify the entire document
  • Consistent chapter pages
  • Page orientation
  • Page bleeds, color, unifying logos

8
Functions of Design
  • Provides access to information
  • Aids comprehension
  • Enhances recall
  • Motivates readers
  • Meets readers expectations
  • Facilitates ongoing use

9
Visual/Verbal Cognates
  • Arrangement and Emphasis
  • Visual structure and organization
  • Clarity and Conciseness
  • Functional matters of style readability
  • Tone and Ethos
  • Users subjective responses to the visual signals

10
Visual/Verbal Cognates Arrangement
  • Arrangement shows structure of information
  • Through numbering
  • Through lay out

11
Visual/Verbal CognatesEmphasis
  • Emphasis
  • controls what stands out

12
Visual/Verbal CognatesClarity
  • Clarityhelps readers to access information
    quickly
  • Encompasses many design elements
  • Typefaces
  • Easy to read?
  • Appropriate for audience?
  • Demonstrates professionalism?
  • Easy-to-read all caps?

13
Visual/Verbal CognatesClarity (cont)
  • Charts
  • Illustrations

14
Visual/Verbal CognatesConciseness
  • Concisenessdesigns that are appropriately
    succinct

Charts are too concise to communicate effectively
15
Visual/Verbal CognatesConciseness
  • Information consolidated

Be careful of those stray fish.
16
Visual/Verbal CognatesTone and Ethos
  • Tonereveals the designers attitude toward the
    audience
  • Ethoscultivates a sense of credibility with the
    audience

17
Rhetorical Impact of Visual Language
  • Interdependence of cognate strategies
  • Closely related to each other, a tight-knit
    family
  • Elements work in concert, not in isolation,
    balancing and complementing one another
  • One strategy impacts other strategies and must be
    constantly monitored

18
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?

19
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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