Designing Successful Documents, Visuals & Websites

Characteristics

Easy to read

Easy to follow and understand

Easy to recall

Organization Information Visually

Positive

Visual Appeal

Logical Organization

Clarity

Accessibility

Functionability

Balanced

Negative

Crowded

Disorganized

Hard to Follow

Difficult to Read

Uneven

Inconsistent

ABCs of Print Design

Page Layout White Space Margins Line Length Columns

Typography Font Font Size Font Styles

More Typography Justification Heads and Subheads Lists Captions Using Color

Using Color (Guidelines)

Estimate how color will look on the page

Make text colors contrast sharply with background colors

Use no more than 2-3 colors on a page, unless there are graphics

Too many bright colors overwhelm the eye

Select “cool” colors

Use colors that respect international readers

Successful Document Design

Keep them simple!

Make them clear.

Have them flow.

Choosing Effective Visuals

Use only when relevant to your purpose and audience.

Use in conjunction with written work.

Experiment with different visuals.

Use easy-to-read visuals.

Consider how they will look on the page.

Be prepared to revise and edit.

Take advantage of scanners!

Purpose of Visuals

Arouse readers’ immediate interest

Use in conjunction with written work

Experiment with different visuals

Always use easy-to-read and relevant visuals

Consider how they will look on the page

Be prepared to revise and edit visuals

Take advantage of scanners

Guidelines for Visuals

Identify your visuals

Cite the source for visuals

Insert visuals appropriately

Introduce your visuals

Interpret your visuals

Tables & Figures

Tables

Parts Column, Subcolumns Stub Rule

Guidelines PG. 214-215

Table 6.1 Parts of a TablePG. 215

Figures

Graphs

Pie or Circle Charts

Bar Charts

Organizational Charts

Flow Charts

Pictographs

Pictographs

Maps

Photographs

Drawings

Clip Art

Functions, Guidelines and Other Need-to-Know InformationPlease read through the rest of the chapter for each type of figure and how it works appropriately in business writing.

Using Visuals Ethically