Beyond the technical operation of the software, good design needs the right colors, exciting layout ideas, and tried and true elements such as balance, contrast, and white space. Grids tie the elements of a design together and provide a framework for the page layout.
In this series of images we examine the bits and pieces of text and graphics and how they are arranged in a page layout.
Don't let page numbers be an afterthought. Functional, yes, but make them an interesting part of your overall design as well. Numbers in the corners or centered top or bottom are the most common placement although centered on the side or off-centered page numbering is possible. Possibilities for dressing up the page numbers are endless.
The parts of almost any kind of a document can be broken down into five main sections: Artwork, Titles, Body, Navigation, and Credits.
Page layout or page composition is the process of placing and arranging and rearranging text and graphics on the page. A good composition is one that is not only pleasing to look at but also effectively conveys the message of the text and graphics to the intended audience.
A workable page layout is one that delivers the intended message to its primary audience. A workable page layout focuses on the practical aspects of the document such as method of distribution, visibility, and handling. Here are tips for planning your layout.
Print design is about communication. Print designers communicate with text and images. The arrangement and presentation of text and images can aid or hinder effective communication. One key aspect of print design is providing visual signposts or visual cues that let readers know where they are and where they are going. Signposting breaks up text and images into readable, easy-to-follow blocks or panels of information.
While desktop publishing software and computers have replaced much of the manual cut and paste of graphic design there are still times when the only way to achieve the look we want is to get out the scissors and glue.
Learn exactly what page layout means and its place in desktop publishing.
While there are no hard and fast rules, there are guidelines, best practices, and tried and true methods of arranging a page and doing desktop publishing that result in attractive pages that effectively communicate the intended message.
While there is no single perfect way to compose a page, there are some generally accepted rules or guidelines that can help you put together an attractive publication that's free of many common page layout ailments.
In "Attention: Getting it" The Encyclopedia of Educational Technology looks at ways to grab attention. Take a look at how people process information with tips on getting the reader's attention.
Aimed at Web designers, some tips can also apply to print. The Encyclopedia of Educational Technology looks at textual, spatial, and graphic elements that make up the page.
Suggests specific ways to organize the layout of the page to enhance readibility and comprehension. From The Encyclopedia of Educational Technology.
