Text version of demonstration

What would an ideal document layout look like?

(Text version)

Note: This document is a demonstration of document design. Descriptions of design features are made throughout the document, and are preceded by the word COMMENT and a colon.

COMMENT: Heading has different formatting to text, aims to answer readers’ question, and is in a font that is easy to read.

COMMENT: Margin at least 25 mm wide

COMMENT: Sans serif font (Verdana) used

Examples can be very useful. Sometimes an example can be the vital piece of a puzzle that completes understanding of new concepts or techniques.

COMMENT: Paragraph is left justified, and has a line spacing of 15pt (25% greater than the size of the font)

Examples can be:

• Short descriptions

• Case studies

• Diagrams

• Photographs

• Cartoons

COMMENT: Use of bullets to make it easier to read a series of points

You can also ask the reader to come up with examples from their own experience.

COMMENT: Use of bold to draw attention to important points

When considering images that can illustrate your ideas, think about:

• Is the message complementing information described in your text?

• Is the image drawing attention to your message, or distracting from it?

• If someone just looks at the image, and does not read the text, will they have the right impression of your message?

And if you use an image such as a photograph or cartoon, make sure that there is a text description of it, for people who cannot see the graphic.

Project Home

Last updated: 04/04/2005

This site is a working draft only! For more information on this project, send an email to: unidesign@optusnet.com.au