<body text>The first step towards effective page design is a clear understanding of your audience. Some of the points you should consider before beginning your page design are listed below:
<body text>Where will my document be read?
<body text>Physical environment is an important consideration; e.g. natural or artificial lighting, in a factory, at a desk in front of a computer with limited space. These factors should influence your choice of page and print size, binding, and the use of matte or glossy paper.
<body text>Who is my reader?
<body text>Try to write in a style that is appropriate for your audience and be careful not to use words or pictures that may cause offense.
<body text>What is the age of my typical reader?
<body text>Small print is difficult for the young or elderly to read. You should avoid it when choosing the size of text intended for these audiences.
<body text>How motivated is my reader?
<body text>The less motivated your audience, the more visual appeal is necessary to capture their attention.
<body text>How easily can my reader pick out the relevant information?
<body text>What is the best way to structure the document and present the different levels of headings? Less important headings should be smaller than main headings.
<body text>What sort of image do I want to convey?
<body text>The image your document conveys, e.g. fun or serious, formal or casual, could make the difference between whether people read it or not.
<normal>Take a look at page design in books and magazines to see how the above factors have influenced the design of the different pages.
<Subhead>Considering practical issues
<body text>When designing a document, there are certain practical issues you should consider. Some of these are suggested below:
<body text>Is there a limit to the number of pages in my document?
<body text>The density of text on the page will affect the number of pages in a document. Density of text is in turn influenced by point size, leading, column width, the number of illustrations and the amount of white space on each page.
<body text>What kind of information will the document contain?
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<body text>Will there be a lot of reference material, tables and diagrams? How will you produce any tables and diagrams that you require?
<body text>Does this document have
<normal>Who is my reader?
<body text>Try to write in a style that is appropriate for your audience and be careful not to use words or pictures that may cause offense.
<body text>What is the age of my typical reader?
<body text>Small print is difficult for the young or elderly to read. You should avoid it when choosing the size of text intended for these audiences.
