Chapter 13. Designing the Document © 2004 by Bedford/St. Martin's1 Seven Characteristics of Technical Communication Addresses particular readers. Helps readers solve problems. Reflects an organization's goals and culture. Is produced collaboratively. Uses design to increase readability. Consists of words or graphics or both. Is produced using high-tech tools.

Chapter 13. Designing the Document © 2004 by Bedford/St. Martin's2 Goals of Document Design To make a good impression on readers. To help readers understand the structure and hierarchy of the information. To help readers find the information they need. To help readers understand the information. To help readers remember the information.

Chapter 13. Designing the Document © 2004 by Bedford/St. Martin's3 Four Principles of Design Proximity – group related items together. Keep text describing a graphic next to the graphic. Alignment – create a unified whole. Repetition – use consistent format for each level of information. Contrast – use different type to emphasize important points.

Chapter 13. Designing the Document © 2004 by Bedford/St. Martin's4 Consider Cultural Preference in These Design Elements: Paper sizes – different countries have different standard paper sizes. Typeface – Pacific Rim countries prefer sans-serif typefaces, while Western readers prefer serifs. Color – In China, red suggests happiness or celebration, while in other countries it suggests danger. Text direction – some cultures read left to right, others read right to left.

Chapter 13. Designing the Document © 2004 by Bedford/St. Martin's5 Three Resources to Consider When Planning the Whole Document Time Money Equipment

Chapter 13. Designing the Document © 2004 by Bedford/St. Martin's6 Four Elements to Consider in Designing the Whole Document Size Paper Bindings Accessing tools IconsCross-reference tables ColorHeaders and footers Dividers and tabsPage numbering

Chapter 13. Designing the Document © 2004 by Bedford/St. Martin's7 Three Principles Used in Designing Effective Pages Chunking. People understand information best if it is delivered to them in chunks rather than all at once. Queuing. Queuing refers to creating visual distinctions to indicate levels of importance. Filtering. Filtering is the use of visual patterns to distinguish various types of information.

Chapter 13. Designing the Document © 2004 by Bedford/St. Martin's8 Two Kinds of Space on Every Page White space (or negative space) Space for text and graphics Page grids arrange elements into one or more columns.

Chapter 13. Designing the Document © 2004 by Bedford/St. Martin's9 Three Advantages of Multicolumn Design Text is easier to read because the lines are shorter. Columns allow you to fit more information on the page, because many graphics can fit in one column or extend across two or more columns. Columns let you use the principle of repetition to create a visual pattern, such as text in one column, accompanying graphic in an adjacent column.

Chapter 13. Designing the Document © 2004 by Bedford/St. Martin's10 Four Purposes of Margins They limit the amount of information on the page, making it easier to read and use. They provide space for binding and allow readers to hold the page without covering up the text. They provide a neat frame around the type. They provide space for marginal glosses.

Chapter 13. Designing the Document © 2004 by Bedford/St. Martin's11 Four Aspects of Typography Typefaces: Serif vs. Sans-serif Type families Arial Arial Black Arial Narrow Case Lowercase letters are easier to read THAN UPPERCASE LETTERS. Type sizes

Chapter 13. Designing the Document © 2004 by Bedford/St. Martin's12 Five Other Design Features Used Frequently in Technical Communication Rules Boxes Screens Marginal glosses Pull quotes