ELEMENTS OF DOCUMENT DESIGN (with special attention to memo format)

Principle 1: Understand the visual conventions of a genre.Principle 2: Understand how to create visual hierarchy.Example: memo formats.

PRINCIPLE 1: Understand the visual conventions of a genre.

Much of document design is based in visual conventions. These do rhetorical work: the user/reader should be able to discern at a glance what the document is (and hence, what it’s for).

Website that violates visual conventions.

Resume that violates visual conventions.

PRINCIPLE 2: Understand how to create visual hierarchy with white space, alignment, headings, and typography.

Poor visual hierarchy.

Poor use of white space (memo).

Poor use of alignment.

EXAMPLE: MEMO FORMATS

USE MEMOS…

• For information too detailed or complicated for simple email.

• For confidential/sensitive information.

conventional memo headings

block paragraph format

clear indicator of type of document

Conventional visual format of memos.

Memo Introductions

*State purpose FIRST:

• The purpose of this memo is…• This memo [does X]…(provides requested information,

provides recommendations, outlines a problem, etc.)• In response to your request, this memo [does X].

*Next paragraph summarizes conclusions/most important information.

The problem with memo templates…