You can have your manual bound, laminated, cut and just about anything else at Kinko's on Court Street or Duplication Station on Union. Duplication Station tends to be cheaper, but you often do not get the same quality as you would at Kinko's. No matter where you choose to go, BE SURE TO GET PRICE QUOTES FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU WANT DONE. I have had students get ripped off by both places when they went to pick up their projects.

D. Page Design

Major Goals of Document Design:

  • To make a good impression on readers
  • To help readers understand the structure and hierarchy of the information
  • To help readers find the information they need
  • To help readers understand the information
  • To help readers retain the information

Page Size

Think about the best page size for communicating your information and how the document will be handled. You can use regular sized paper, but you can also use half sheets, sheets in the shaped of an object that reflects the subject of your manual, you can make it poster-sized and fold it up, you can make it fold open a page at a time. It can be any size or style that you want it to be, but remember that it must be useable and your page size and style cannot impede the user using the manual.

Paper

Paper selection is similar to page size. Experiment and have fun with your selection. It can be colorful for projects designed for children. It can be thicker for manuals that will be used frequently. Go to Kinkos or K-mart or Odd Lots or Cross Court and find a paper that you like. Remember that it should reflect the theme and audience of your manual.

Bindings

Finding a usable, durable binding for a manual can be one of the most difficult parts. You need to find a binding that works for the style of your manual, but most of your attention for chosing a good binding is your audience. How will your audience use your manual? Will they need both hands free? Will they lay it flat on a desk or counter? Can it be suction-cupped to a wall?

There are four main types of binding:

  1. Loose-leaf: You have all seen and used this kind of binding. Loose-leaf binding is best used for a project that will be updated frequently and that can be used at a desk or in a stationery position.
  2. Ring or Spiral: Ring or spiral binding is the most common type of binding that students use for this project. It is cheap, flexible, fairly durable, and good for most types of projects.
  3. Saddle: Saddle binding is done by using large staples down the seam of a manual. It is the cheapest method of binding, but is not very durable.
  4. Perfect binding: Probably the most expensive type of binding, perfect binding is where the pages are glued together and the cover is attached. It does not allow the document to lay flat.

Accessing Tools

a. icons: Icons are pictures that symbolize actions or ideas. There are all kinds of icons that you can use to make your document more accessible to users. Use a stop sign to indicate a warning. Use a skull and cross bones to indicate danger. Have fun with icons. They can not only serve as acessing tools, but they can make your manual look more professional and more interesting. You can find royalty-free icons online at Iconz. Be careful not to go overboard with your icons, but instead use them as tools in your manual.

b. color: If you have access to color, use it, but use it wisely. Use colors to draw readers' attention to important features in the document, such as warnings, hints, major headings, and section tables. DO NOT use more than three different colors in one document. Also, you can add color to your manual by using colored paper.

c. headers and footers: A header is at the top of the page; a footer is at the bottom. Headers and footers enable readers to see, at a glance, where they are in the document. IF YOUR MANUAL IS THREE OR MORE PAGES LONG, YOU MUST USE EITHER HEADERS OR FOOTERS TO PROVIDE UNITY FOR THE DOCUMENT.

d. page numbers: Page numbering is essential to reader accessibility. Page numbers can be part of your header or footer. IF YOUR MANUAL IS THREE OR MORE PAGES LONG YOUR MUST HAVE PAGE NUMBERS.

Page Balance

a. balance: Balance referes to the visual stability of the page; it should not look as if it is tipping to one side or is top-heavy or bottom-heavy. Balance can be symmetrical or asymmetrical, but should be present so that the reader will not be distracted from the content of the manual.

b. consistency: A well-designed page uses consistent patterns, just as a well-designed document does. Margins, text and graphics placement, and fonts should be consistent throughuot the manual.

c. simplicity: A simple design is the best design. Keep your pages interesting, but not so compelx and busy that the reader cannot find the information he or she is looking for.

Typefaces

  • You should stick to no more than two fonts throughout your manual.
  • You must choose a font that is legible and easily accessible.
  • Avoid using a font that is too small or too large. Too small is usually under 10 pt. Too large is usually over 16 or 18 pt., unless you are using it on your title page.

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E. Integrating Graphics

Characteristics of Effective Graphics

  • A graphic should have a purpose.
  • A graphic should be honest.
  • A graphic should be simple and uncluttered.
  • A graphic should present a manageable amount of information.
  • A graphic should meet the reader's format expectations.
  • A graphic should be clearly labeled.

Using Color Effectively

  • Don't overdo it.
  • Use color to emphasize particular items.
  • Use color to create patterns.
  • Use contrast effectively.
  • Take advantage of meanings that colors already have.
  • Realize that colors swallow up text.
  • Use light colors to make objects look bigger.

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topics / audience analysis / design basics /

oral presentation / grading criteria