Of Document Design
A
good document must have both form and function. This means that both the design and the content play a particular role in delivering ideas to the audience. This is concurred by Bear who states that ‘Function needs form in order to accomplish its goal. Form without function is just a pretty piece of paper.’ (2009).
A heavy text document which is unsuitable for web page documents from assignment 1 slides.
A study conducted by Jakob Nielsen in 2007 showed that a majority of web page readers do not read one word at a time. Instead they scan the entire page, picking out certain words and sentences. Nielson proposed that web pages employ scan-able text. This includes highlighting keywords, using bullet-point form lists and only inserting one idea per paragraph. However, in order to achieve its function, the scan-able text must also be paired with good writing (Putnis & Petelin 1996).
A bullet-point form lists taken from assignment 1 slides.
In an age where readers no longer want to read one word at a time, in-text images are essential in helping the readers receiving the intended message. Hence, visual communication is playing an increasing important role (Kress & van Leeuwen 2006). In a good document words and pictures exists symbiotically (Schriver 1997). Document designers needs to utilize multi modal designs which includes both text and visuals as it would also serve to maintain audience interests better (Walsh 2006).
A invitation using both text and visual to communicate its message from assignment 1 slides.
References:
- Bear, J.H. 2009, Form and Function in Design and Publishing, online, retrieved from http://desktoppub.about.com/od/graphicdesign/a/formfunction.htm.
- Kress, G & van Leeuwen, T. 2006, Reading images. Chapter 1: The semiotic landscate: language and visual communication.
- Nielsen, J 1997, How Users Read on the Web, online, retrieved 7 April 2009, from http://www.useit.com/alertbox/9710a.html.
- Putnis, P& Petelin R.1996, Writing to Communicate, Prentice Hall, Sydney, viewed 6th April 2009.
- Schriver, K.A. 1997, The Interplay of words and pictures, Ch 6, pp. 361-441, Wiley Computer Pub, New York.
- Walsh, M. 2006,” ‘Textual shift’: Examining the reading process with print, visual and multimodal texts,” Australian Journal of Language and Literacy, vol.29, no.1, p.24-37.
of purposes
It's really weird having a blog. I've always related journals of any kind to be personal and frankly, should be kept private.
But what better platform to explore some issues regarding document design than a blog? I guess 'doing' is the best way to learn. It would be interesting to see if I'll get to uncover any hidden insights or new perspectives that I've not thought of. Hopefully as it progresses maybe even the blog layout would evolve into a well designed document. :)
The blog is targeted to well...anyone really who might want to go through this journey me: to discover the issues of document design especially in relations to the new media. Obviously though, it would be more relevant to student and members of the related industry.
Let's see how this goes!
