Document Design

Print designs contain static elements and the visual impact is as required by the author. Web designs function differently as the relationships and impacts depend on how the user moves the elements By scrolling, clicking and navigating  (Nielson 1999). Document design means the physical appearance of the document and the text and the visuals must be presented to complement each other (Reep 2006). Some web pages are more eye catching than others. It is due to the proper use of the concepts  of document design. For a  good presentation it is necessary to understand such concepts. Web designs must speak clearly to the audience with its interactivity and must not be cluttered with mundane information (Marquez 2010). There are 6 basic document design principles for effective presentation. They are ‘Balance’, ‘Proximity’, ‘Alignment’, ‘Consistency’, ‘Contrast’ and ‘White Space’ (Bear no.d.).

  1).    Balance

The elements in the design must be visually balanced so that no section is heavier than the other unless it is intentional.

                                                      

                                                                                        

                    (Source: http://desktoppub.about.com/od/designprinciples/tp/Principles_of_Design.htm)

 2). Proximity /    Unity

Placing elements close to each other to interpret their close relationship or vice versa.    

                                                               

                          (Source: http://desktoppub.about.com/od/designprinciples/tp/Principles_of_Design.htm)

                                                   

                                              

3).  Alignment

The type and graphics must be aligned to make reading easier. Ex.  Type from left to right , top to bottom etc.

                                                   

                  

              (Source: http://desktoppub.about.com/od/designprinciples/tp/Principles_of_Design.htm)                                             

 4)  Consistency / Repetition

 Repetition of elements correctly helps the reader to navigate the designs to interpret the design correctly.

                                                         

                                                          

                     (Source:  http://desktoppub.about.com/od/designprinciples/tp/Principles_of_Design.htm)

5) Contrast /  Salience

This is the to make certain elements standout by using contrasting colours, sizes  of elements, placing them in different positions to standout etc.

                                                              

                         (Source: http://desktoppub.about.com/od/designprinciples/tp/Principles_of_Design.htm)

                          


 6) White Space


 It is important to understand that too much of  graphics should not be crammed into the design as it will be difficult to read the graphics correctly.

           

                          (Source: http://desktoppub.about.com/od/designprinciples/tp/Principles_of_Design.htm)                                                   

References

Bear, J.H. (no. d.), Principles of design,About.com Guide, [Online] Available at
<http://desktoppub.about.com/od/designprinciples/tp/Principles_of_Design.htm>

Marquez, L. (2010), How to Make a Good PowerPoint Presentation, Ezinearticle,  [Online], Retrieved  7 June 2011, Available  at< http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Make-a-Good-PowerPoint-Presentation&id=4313178 >

Nielson, J. (1999), Difference Between Print Design and Web Design, [Online], Retrieved 7June 2011,  Available  at  < http://www.useit.com/alertbox/990124.html >

                                                       

Putnis P. & Petelin R. (19960, Writing to communicate in Professional Professional Communication: Principles and Applications, Prentice Hall, Sydney.  Pg. 223 - 263

Reep, D. (2006), Principles of document design, Technical Writing,   edn. 6, Pearson Edu. New York.  Pg. 133 - 172

Shriver, A. (1997), Dynamics In Document Design, Creating Texts for readers, pg. 361 - 441