Desktop PublishingDesktop PublishingDocument Design GuidelinesDocument Design Guidelines

BalanceBalance

A document must look balanced.

Formal balance relies on symmetry and gives a static look to page design.

A document must look balanced.

Formal balance relies on symmetry and gives a static look to page design.

Informal BalanceInformal Balance

Informal balance allows more flexibility and gives a dynamic look to the page.

White spaces are most important when considering balance.

Informal balance allows more flexibility and gives a dynamic look to the page.

White spaces are most important when considering balance.

Avoid centering and having a boring design . . .

Avoid centering and having a boring design . . .

Balance does NOT mean you have to centre everything. If you want to avoid boring design, avoid centering.

Beginners like to centre everything, as this is a very safe way to balance the document.

Balance does NOT mean you have to centre everything. If you want to avoid boring design, avoid centering.

Beginners like to centre everything, as this is a very safe way to balance the document.

AlignmentAlignment

Alignment can make a great difference to the professionalism of your document.

Every element on a page should be aligned to another element. This ensures that there is a visual connection between the various elements.

Alignment can make a great difference to the professionalism of your document.

Every element on a page should be aligned to another element. This ensures that there is a visual connection between the various elements.

Hints for better alignment: 

Hints for better alignment: 

Move text away from left edge Use the same alignment throughout

the entire document (right justify, left justify, or center align)

Do not place anything on the page arbitrarily

Do not center align everything. Center aligning should be done consciously, not because you cannot think of anything else to do

Move text away from left edge Use the same alignment throughout

the entire document (right justify, left justify, or center align)

Do not place anything on the page arbitrarily

Do not center align everything. Center aligning should be done consciously, not because you cannot think of anything else to do

Look at the alignment . . .Look at the alignment . . .

Ok . . . . . . betterOk . . . . . . better

Two alignments on a single page

Two alignments on a single page

     

 

                                 

      

 

                     

                  

ProportionProportion

When you place more than one item on a page, you must consider their relative sizes and importance. You must ask yourself:

1. What is the relative importance of each element?

2. How much of the page should be devoted to text?

3. How much of the page should be devoted to SPACE?

4. How large should the graphic be?

When you place more than one item on a page, you must consider their relative sizes and importance. You must ask yourself:

1. What is the relative importance of each element?

2. How much of the page should be devoted to text?

3. How much of the page should be devoted to SPACE?

4. How large should the graphic be?

Graphics in ProportionGraphics in Proportion

The size and position of a graphic will convey its relative importance, so keep the size and position of the graphic in relation to its importance.

The size and position of a graphic will convey its relative importance, so keep the size and position of the graphic in relation to its importance.

More than one graphicMore than one graphic

If there are several pictures together, what size chosen for them and how they are arranged can give impressions of importance.

Ensure the arrangement reflects the importance of the graphics.

If there are several pictures together, what size chosen for them and how they are arranged can give impressions of importance.

Ensure the arrangement reflects the importance of the graphics.

for example . . .for example . . .

If you have four ‘mugs’ to position, then some possible ways of arranging them are:

If you have four ‘mugs’ to position, then some possible ways of arranging them are:

The following are better arrangements if they are of equal standing.

The following are better arrangements if they are of equal standing.

Placing graphicsPlacing graphics

Graphics can be placed within a column, or across columns.Graphics can be placed within a column, or across columns.

Guidelines with graphicsGuidelines with graphics

Make graphics face into the page.

Avoid a cluttered layout

Provide a visual flow

Use graphics to attract a reader’s attention.

Graphs and charts can help readers to understand statistical data quickly.

Make graphics face into the page.

Avoid a cluttered layout

Provide a visual flow

Use graphics to attract a reader’s attention.

Graphs and charts can help readers to understand statistical data quickly.

HarmonyHarmony

Make sure the graphic is appropriate and adds visual interest to the text. The graphic must not give a misleading impression.

Use repetition to create harmony. You can repeat graphic and textual elements to create a theme or consistency running through your document.

Make sure the graphic is appropriate and adds visual interest to the text. The graphic must not give a misleading impression.

Use repetition to create harmony. You can repeat graphic and textual elements to create a theme or consistency running through your document.

SequenceSequence

Keep the graphic close to the text it is describing. This helps to create the impression that there is a strong relationship between the two.

Keep the graphic close to the text it is describing. This helps to create the impression that there is a strong relationship between the two.

SpaceSpace

Space is NOT just what is left over. It is a vital part of the page that has a shape of its own.

If you only worry about the text you can easily end up with spaces that look awkward.

Space is NOT just what is left over. It is a vital part of the page that has a shape of its own.

If you only worry about the text you can easily end up with spaces that look awkward.

Spaces that require your attention include:

Spaces that require your attention include:

Letter and word spacing

Line and paragraph spacing

Margins

Indents

Letter and word spacing

Line and paragraph spacing

Margins

Indents

ProximityProximity

Group related items togetherGroup related items togetherCD ROMClassicalJazzCountry WesternCountryHip HopRappRock Acid RockTypes of learnersEarly Learnerlate LearnerHumanitiesMath & Science

 

CD ROM• Classical • Jazz • Country Western • Country • Hip Hop • Rapp • Rock • Acid Rock Educational Topics• Early Learner • Late Learner • Humanities • Math & Science

Appeal to your readerAppeal to your reader

A reader’s eyes fall naturally at the top left corner, move across the page, and flow down to the bottom right.

Eyes hate working against this natural gravity.

A reader’s eyes fall naturally at the top left corner, move across the page, and flow down to the bottom right.

Eyes hate working against this natural gravity.

Poor DesignPoor Design

Eyes are attracted to the headline and then read down.

Reader will miss the most important information which is at the top of the advert.

Special offer information is in capitals, making it harder to read.

Heading and special offer info are both centered, while the rest is left justified.

Eyes are attracted to the headline and then read down.

Reader will miss the most important information which is at the top of the advert.

Special offer information is in capitals, making it harder to read.

Heading and special offer info are both centered, while the rest is left justified.

There are no fixed rules and you have to

decide at all times what will be effective

in your design.

There are no fixed rules and you have to

decide at all times what will be effective

in your design.

Be creativeBe creative

SourcesSources

Document Design, Hugh Derham

http://edweb.sdsu.edu

Document Design, Hugh Derham

http://edweb.sdsu.edu