Design Tips

To make documents inviting to read, you must:

- Use good materials and equipment

- Use an uncrowded design

- Use typeface effectively

- Use colour effectively

Use quality materials and equipment

Paper: Good quality paper influences the audience, but paper cost money so you must consider the importance of the document

Paper Size: PS varies from country to country and purpose to purpose. Would you want an 8/12 x 11 poster or one that is 11 x 17?

Printing: Print quality also influences your audience. I.e. don't use ink that bleeds

Binding: Make sure you use a binding that is suitable for the purpose. Will the audience have to open the binding to add and remove things?

Use uncrowded design

- White space

- Up to 50% of a document

o Essential because people are intimidated by a WALL OF TEXT and won't read the document

White space includes:

 Margins

 Line spacing

 Space between characters

 Anywhere without text or image

Use typeface effectively

- Use italics to emphasize titles and

o Serif is easier to read

o Sanserif jumps off the page and is great for headings and signs

o Font size changes depending on purpose

o Use bold underline CAPITALS to highlight headings and important information

o Use moderation - don't overdo it

Use colour effectively

- Use colour to call attention

- Use colours that readers expect

o I.e. use red for warnings STOP!

- Be aware of cultural differences

Make documents easy to use

- Match design to readers' purpose

o Think about a golf score card. You wouldn't want an 8.5 x 11 inch card to carry around. Instead they're designed to fit in a shirt pocket

- Match design to readers' environment

o Think