Graphic design tips for desktop publishers

Abstract

Since the introduction of the Macintosh, the LaserWriter, and PageMaker and the subsequent ability to create camera-ready or near-camera-ready documents on our desktops, document writers have found it necessary to become document designers as well. Yet, this entails a number of choices. For example, what style or size of type? How many columns? Where should headings be placed? Should there be illustrations? If so, how should they be arranged? Because most of us haven't been trained to make these choices, too often the result is badly designed and ineffective documents.However, by understanding some of the basic principles of graphic design, even design novices can use a desktop publishing system to improve the way their documents look and, more importantly, make them more readable and more understandable. Research has shown that certain design techniques dramatically expand a reader's capacity for information. In this session I will offer a number of simple design guidelines for creating effective desktop published documents and avoiding the common design pitfalls of overzealous desktop publishers without design training.Using before and after examples, I will discuss the graphic design choices available to desktop publishers and explain the best choices. Topics will include choosing and using type styles and sizes, column width, capitals and italics, alignment, leading, word and letter spacing, white space, and balance to create effective memos, brochures, manuals, flyers, and newsletters.Good graphic design is more than a simple list of do's and don'ts. By explaining the reasons for certain design choices, I hope that those who attend this session will leave with a basic understanding of graphic design that they can use as a resource when designing their own desktop-published documents and as a basis for further study in graphic design if they are interested.