4.0: Introduction

Last updated
Save as PDF

Page ID: 52280

\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

In this chapter, we’re going to be looking at content in the vast arena of document design. Document design can be an entire course in and of itself (I happen to teach one at the graduate level), but there are certain essential skills in document design that technical and professional writers simply must master to communicate effectively and with purpose. We will cover the essentials of document design, followed by layout in design work, followed by a discussion of typography, and finally a reflection on document design and the signposting we’ve discussed earlier in the text.

When we talk about document design, realize that we are talking about the way that someone reads our text. The design of a document encourages a reader to view a text a certain way, to navigate a text in a certain way. Sometimes that is done using color. Other times it may be done using layout choices. At the end of the day, we’re designing a document to be read a certain way and used a certain way, using design to help align the needs of the user with the text within the document. The best document design syncs up with how the text is designed work and encourages users to navigate the document that way. A well designed document is a joy to use.