2. Principles of design, layout,
and desktop publishing
Concepts that can increase
quality, effect, & efficiency
3. you’re working
in the post-revolution era.
the “electronic publishing revolution” has made
it both easier and harder for you to get your
message out.
example: http://www.hotbot.com
4. so, assume nobody’s interested.
in the information culture that we now live, why
should anybody read your work?
learn to trick your audience into paying attention.
treat your publication like any other presentation,
e.g.: a speech.
this is an absolutely key principle!
6. what’s your purpose?
- what do you want your web to achieve?
- determine this very early on in the planning stages of your design
to entertain
to persuade
to identify
to inform
to elicit a response
to provide a reference
?
7. what’s your image?
formal, informal, friendly, playful, elegant,
stylish, trendy, classic, adventurous,
conservative, scholarly, provocative, diverse,
spirited, generous, concerned
the design of your pages will create an image,
whether you like it or not
8. who’s your audience?
who do you want to experience your design?
what are they like? what do they know already?
learn everything you can about your audience
10. a good hammer does not equal
a nice birdhouse.
software is only a tool, and good design is not
one of it’s default settings.
in other words ...
having the tools of a designer does not
necessarily make you a designer.
example: http://www.webpagesthatsuck.com
11. don’t forget your hats.
designer/producer
writer
editor
artist
typesetter
technician
27. but, you must also remember …
… ultimately,
content is as important as effect.
28. invention is …
the art of stealing creatively.
electronic publishing is perhaps the easiest medium
ever in which you can “steal” other peoples ideas
just be aware of copyright issues as you “create”
good design can be time-consuming, so ...
... “steal” from yourself to save time
example: http://www.netone.com/~wyllyamz
29. perfectionism wastes time.
most often it takes:
• 20% of your time to do 80% of the job.
• and 80% of your time to complete the final 20%
of that job.
• another way to put this ...
33. less is more.
in designing a new "graphic piece," it is better
in the opinion of most professional layout
artists — though there are a few examples that
seem to demonstrate the contrary — to use
only a few elements and fonts than to use many
different kinds. the same is "true" for words.
example: http://www.netone.com/~wyllyamz/eMpTy/resume.html
34. In conclusion …
Keep in mind the law of computer-user
inverse inefficiency:
• A beginner wastes hours figuring out how to do
something that an experienced user could do in
just a few seconds.
• An experienced user wastes hours designing a
time-saving feature that will do something a
beginner could do in just a few seconds more.
36. technology is not only your friend,
but also …
your enemy.
the computer can be a very distracting thing
to complete your task, you must exercise discipline
