<normal>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: Physical environment is an important
<normal>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.
<normal>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. 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. The less motivated your audience, the more visual appeal is necessary to
<normal>capture their attention. 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.
<normal>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.
<normal>When designing a document, there are certain practical issues you should consider. Some of these are suggested below.
<normal>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.
<normal>Will there be a lot of reference material, tables and diagrams? How will you produce any tables and
<normal>diagrams that you require?
<normal>Will it be filed with other company literature and have to fit into a standard-sized folder?
<normal>Will it be stapled in the corner, folded and stapled in the middle, spiral-bound, glued or bound in some other way? You need to allow sufficient margin space for binding.
<normal>If the document is to be printed on one side of the paper only, you should base your design around a single master page
<normal>If the document is to be printed on both sides of the paper, you will require left and right master pages, as the binding margin needs to be swapped around on alternate pages.
<normal>You will need to bear in mind that the left and right hand pages are going to be seen at the same time so they should balance and complement each other.
<normal>Your budget for the task will influence your decision on paper size and type, binding, the number of illustrations, the use of colour, and the time you can spend working on the document. When you are aware of all the Practical issues involved in the design of your document, you can begin to consider the details of its layout. The number and width of columns is important to the overall look of the page. Professional designers usually start with a page grid, showing the number and width of columns, and the position of different features on the page. When deciding how many columns to have on the page, consider the following issues:
<normal>There is a physical limit to the number of columns you can fit into the available space. Unless your page is very wide, you probably do not want to have more than three columns on the page. A three column layout is most popular for
<normal>newsletters.
<normal>Generally, make all the columns to be filled with the same piece of text equal in width.
<normal>The larger the body text, the wider the column should be. A line of body text should usually be no more than 65 characters long. The optimal line length for body text is considered to be between 40 and 60 characters.
<normal>below: 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.
<normal>Will there be a lot of reference material, tables and diagrams?
<normal>How will you produce any tables and diagrams that you require?
<normal>Will it be filed with other company literature and have to fit into a standard-sized folder? Will it be stapled in the corner, folded and stapled in the middle or spiral-bound.
<normal>The less motivated your audience, the more visual appeal is necessary to capture their attention.
<normal>What is the best way to structure the document and present the different levels of headings?
<normal>Less important headings should be smaller than main headings.
<normal>The density of text on the page will affect the number of pages in a document.
<normal>If your headings are expected to fit the column, is the column wide enough, or will any headings have to be hyphenated or split over several lines?
<normal>Will the pictures be at the top or bottom of the columns and will they overlap more than one column?
<normal>The column spacing should be sufficient to prevent the reader's eye running. Horizontally between the columns, but not so large that it makes the text look fragmented.
<normal>Publisher lets you choose how many columns to have on a page, and how much space to leave around and between. Use Column Guides in the Page menu to set the number of columns and the space to be left between the column guides. The look of your text gives your document an immediate feel, which may
<normal>invite or deter your reader from reading beyond the first page. The choice of font is a major part of this effect, and can be the most. important decision you make when designing your doument.Some fonts such as Copper Black and Brushwood. are ideal for producing posters and other material that has to be
<normal>eye-catching. Serif fonts such as Toujours are suitable for large blocks of body text. The serifs help to guide the reader's eye horizontally along the line of text and reduce the reflection of light around the letters. Serif is particularly suitable where space is limited or columns are narrow. Sans serif fonts are more appropriate for headings, or if you are typesetting large blocks of text in very small point sizes.
<normal>Be selective in your choice of fonts. Generally, use just one font for body text and one other for the headings and subheadings.
<normal>You may find it helpful to start by deciding what point size to use for the bulk of the text (body text). Next, think about the point sizes to use for the different heading levels. Headings should guide the reader through your document by providing sufficient visual contrast (visual cues) to mark the conclusion of one section or article and the start of another. If they are too small, they may be insignificant, and if they are too large, they may be overwhelming.If they are too small, they may be insignificant, and if they are too large, they may be overwhelming.
