McGraw-Hill/Irwin

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Module 5Module 5

Designing Documents, Slides, and

Screens

Designing Documents, Slides, and

Screens

©2007, The McGraw-Hill Companies, All Rights Reserved.

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Designing Documents, Slides, and Screens

Designing Documents, Slides, and Screens

To learn how toTo learn how to Develop visual literacy.Develop visual literacy. Apply design principles to paper Apply design principles to paper

pages, presentation slides, and Web pages, presentation slides, and Web pages.pages.

Use computers to create headings, Use computers to create headings, lists, and other features to make lists, and other features to make documents easy to read.documents easy to read.

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Designing Documents, Slides, and Screens

Designing Documents, Slides, and Screens

Start by answering these questions:Start by answering these questions: How should I design paper pages?How should I design paper pages? How should I design presentation How should I design presentation

slides?slides? How should I design Web pages?How should I design Web pages?

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Designing Documents, Slides, and Screens

Designing Documents, Slides, and Screens

Start by answering these questions:Start by answering these questions: How do I know whether my design How do I know whether my design

works?works? When should I think about design?When should I think about design?

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Good Document DesignGood Document DesignGood Document DesignGood Document Design

Saves time and money.Saves time and money. Reduces legal problems.Reduces legal problems. Builds goodwill.Builds goodwill. Looks inviting, friendly, and Looks inviting, friendly, and

easy-to-read.easy-to-read. Enhances your credibility.Enhances your credibility. Builds an image of you as Builds an image of you as

professional and professional and competent.competent.

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To Design Paper PagesTo Design Paper PagesTo Design Paper PagesTo Design Paper Pages

Use white space for separation Use white space for separation and emphasis.and emphasis.

Use headings to group points.Use headings to group points. Limit the use of capital letters.Limit the use of capital letters. Use no more than two typefaces.Use no more than two typefaces. Use justification appropriate to the Use justification appropriate to the

audience.audience.

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To Create Effective White SpaceTo Create Effective White SpaceTo Create Effective White SpaceTo Create Effective White Space

To create effective white space, use Headings. A mix of paragraph lengths. Lists by using

Tabs or indents to align things vertically.

Numbered lists when the number or sequence of items is exact.

Bullets when the number and sequence don’t matter.

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Choice of MarginsChoice of MarginsChoice of MarginsChoice of Margins

Use justified margins when you Can use proportional typefaces. Want a more formal look. Want to use as few pages as possible. Write to skilled readers.

Use ragged margins when you Do not have proportional typefaces. Want a less formal look. Want to revise one page without reprinting all. Use very short line lengths.

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To Design Presentation SlidesTo Design Presentation SlidesTo Design Presentation SlidesTo Design Presentation Slides

Use a big font.Use a big font.

Use bullet-point phrases.Use bullet-point phrases.

Use clear, concise language Use clear, concise language and appropriate clip art.and appropriate clip art.

Make only three to five points Make only three to five points per slide. per slide.

Choose a consistent Choose a consistent template, customizing slides template, customizing slides where necessary.where necessary.

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To Design Web PagesTo Design Web PagesTo Design Web PagesTo Design Web Pages

Provide an introductory statement Provide an introductory statement on the first screen.on the first screen.

Offer an overview of the content of Offer an overview of the content of your page.your page.

Put interesting and useful Put interesting and useful information up front.information up front.

Minimize large graphics and Minimize large graphics and animation.animation.

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To Design Web PagesTo Design Web Pages continuedcontinuedTo Design Web PagesTo Design Web Pages continuedcontinued

Include an “off” button for animation Include an “off” button for animation and music on introduction pages.and music on introduction pages.

Provide visual variety.Provide visual variety. Unify multiple pages.Unify multiple pages. On each page, provide a link to the On each page, provide a link to the

home page.home page.

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To Incorporate Good DesignTo Incorporate Good DesignTo Incorporate Good DesignTo Incorporate Good Design

Follow These GuidelinesFollow These Guidelines As you plan, think about your As you plan, think about your

audience.audience. As you write, incorporate lists As you write, incorporate lists

and headings.and headings. Get feedback from people who Get feedback from people who

will be using your document.will be using your document. As you revise, check your draft As you revise, check your draft

against the guidelines in this against the guidelines in this module.module.