Sometimes we can break the rules, try something different. But for most of us, these simple guidelines will give our desktop documents polish and professionalism. Keep the mark of the beginner out of your desktop publications.
Too Many Fonts
© J. Bear
Tone down the type. Bored by the monotony of typewritten or single typeface documents, we go wild when confronted by the variety of typefaces in layout and graphics software. In most documents, two or three faces are more than enough.
Use Fewer Fonts
Use Fewer Fonts
Type in ALL CAPS
© J. Bear
Stop shouting. On-line TYPING IN ALL CAPS is considered shouting and is frowned on in most cases. In print, shouting is never worse than when it is done with decorative or script typefaces. It’s ugly. It’s hard to read. Just don’t do it, PLEASE!
Use ALL CAPS with the Right Fonts
Use ALL CAPS with the Right Fonts
Overuse of Frames and Boxes
© J. Bear
Don’t be framed — again. Frames are wonderful — in moderation. A frame loses its ability to emphasize blocks of text if every other block on the page is boxed.
Use Frames, Boxes, Borders with a Purpose
Use Frames, Boxes, Borders with a Purpose
Amateurish Punctuation
© J. Bear
Punctuate like a pro. Learn how to create proper typographical punctuation (curly quotes, apostrophes, em-dashes, etc.) and hanging punctuation. Some programs do it automatically.
Use Proper Typographical Punctuation
Use Proper Typographical Punctuation
Excessive Use of Clip Art
© J. Bear
Cut the clip art clutter. Clip art is wonderful, abundant, and fun to use. It can spice up fliers, newsletters, and posters. Yet too many pictures on a page make it hard for the reader to concentrate on what the documents says. Use clip art with moderation and with purpose. Use clip art that supports your text or illustrates a point.
Use Less Clip Art
Use Less Clip Art
