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Document Design: Guidelines for Effective Information Layout Shelley Thomas.

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Presentation on theme: "Document Design: Guidelines for Effective Information Layout Shelley Thomas."— Presentation transcript:

1 Document Design: Guidelines for Effective Information Layout Shelley Thomas

2 Overview Course Description Rhetorical Situation Visual/Verbal Cognates Advantages of Effective Document Design

3 Course Description Course Goals  Approach each document according to its rhetorical situation  Understand why each element in a document “works” or “does not work,” using the six cognates  Find the appropriate tool to complete the document

4 Rhetorical Situation Audience Purpose Context

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

6 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

7 Visual/Verbal Cognates — Arrangement Arrangement— shows structure of information  Through numbering  Through lay out 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 1.0 1.1 1.2 2.0 2.1 2.2

8 Visual/Verbal Cognates — Emphasis Emphasis— controls what stands out

9 Visual/Verbal Cognates — 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 ?

10 Visual/Verbal Cognates — Clarity (con’t)  Charts  Illustrations

11 Visual/Verbal Cognates — Conciseness Conciseness—designs that are appropriately succinct Charts are too concise to communicate effectively

12 Visual/Verbal Cognates — Conciseness Information consolidated Be careful of those stray fish.

13 Visual/Verbal Cognates — Tone and Ethos Tone—reveals the designer’s attitude toward the audience Ethos—cultivates a sense of credibility with the audience

14 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

15 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?

16 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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