Design checklist

Here are some points to considerwhen you're designing your own publication.

• What is the purpose of your publication?

• What format (page size, number of pages etc) is appropriate?
• What grid should you use (how many columns to a page)? The more columns you have, the more flexible you can be in your use of pictures and text blocks.

General rules

• Consider hierarchy: what needs to be big? What needs to be small?
• Ensure a clear contrast in size between items (whether images, text blocks or type)
• Use good pictures big!
• Make it obvious what relates to what else on the page.
• Align items carefully (horizontally and vertically); fit stories into rectangles, not irregular polygons.
• Try to combine consistency with variety - for example, by using different sized pictures with a consistent typestyle and grid.

Type

• Decide whether your typefaces will be serif or sans-serif. Consider using serif for text and sans-serif for headings.
• Think about the image conveyed by a typeface (Bembo is 'classic', Futura is 'modern').
• Use a limited number of different typeface families together, preferably no more than two.
• Don't use two similar typeface families together. Bembo and Times look terrible with each other, Bembo and Futura look much better.
• Be consistent in your use of bold, italics, and so on (and don't use too many variations).
• Select the type size carefully. Too small is unreadable, too large takes up too much space. Around 9 to 12 point (depending on typeface and audience) is usual for text.

Type spacing and alignment

• Choose appropriate line spacing (leading). If your lines are too close together your publication will be very hard to read. Try increasing the leading and reducing the type size.
• Consider whether your type should be ranged left, ranged right, centred or justified.
• Don't use justified text if your columns are very narrow, as this will make your letter or word spacing too uneven. Headings often look better ranged left rather than centred.
• Don't use lines which are too long: ideally there should be no more than 26 letters to a line.
• Consider running page headings or chapter titles up the side of the page at right angles. Some programmes even allow you to set everything at an angle.

DTP guidelines

• Get organised! Keep the text files for your publication together in one folder (Mac) or directory (Windows) on your hard disc (with backup copies on floppy disc or other removeable storage), rather than scattered around different floppies. Use a consistent naming system so you know which ones are first drafts and which are the final versions.
• It's usually more efficient to write and edit your text using a word-processing programme (eg Microsoft Word or AppleWorks), then import or place it into a DTP programme such as Adobe Pagemaker or Quark Xpress.
• It's a good idea to set up a range of standard paragraph styles for your publication (these describe font, size, alignment and leading): you can have one style for main headings, one for subheadings, and one for text, applying these to individual paragraphs.
• Use tabs rather than the space bar for indents. Ideally, create an indented paragraph style.
• Use bullet points for lists.
• Use dashes rather than two hyphens.
• Use 'typographer's' or 'curly' quotes, rather than straight ones.
• Go easy on elaborate typefaces, borders and boxes. Avoid using boxes with background tints which obscure the text.
• Don't try to proofread on screen: printing out and then proofing is much more accurate.

Tom Barrance

© 2001 Media Education Wales