A 4-page, double-spaced analysis of the visual components of a printed, professionally
produced communication
product, intended for functional use, such as (but not limited to) a user's guide for a piece of
hardware or software, a reference
manual, a service guide, a government instruction manual, or a text book. The communication product
should have between 40 and 100 pages.
I encourage you to establish your own format for the critique. In doing so, make
sure that it addresses the following:
- Description of the communication product: purpose, intended audience, context of use,
and main topics. This should take no more than 1 page. In the description, include
information about the publisher: type of organization and any business goals the
organization might be trying to achieve by publishing this document.
- A review of the effectiveness of the components of visual communication, such as (but not limited to)
the use of typography, layout, color, using visuals -- rather than words -- to communicate,
type of paper, and the size of the page.
Top
- To develop your instincts in assessing the effectiveness of effective graphic and visual
communication.
- To practically apply the theories and concepts presented in the first part of the
course.
- To view the visual components of a communication product from the reader’s
perspective.
- To develop your skills in suggesting improvements to existing documents and information
products.
Top
Following is a suggested procedure:
- Read through reviews of software published in PC Magazine (and similar
publications) as well as reviews of films and books in newspapers and magazines to become
familiar with the format for writing reviews.
- By September 10, choose a communication product to review.
- If feasible, actually use the content in the communication product to
see how effectively the communication strategies work from a
users' perspective.
- Write your first impressions.
- Wait a few days.
- Review the technical communication product again.
- Review your impressions and expand upon them.
- Draft your report.
- Review your report. Make sure that it includes a 1-page (maximum) description of the
communication product that you are reviewing and your assessment of the visual
communication strategies at the document, section, paragraph, and "word" level.
Also make sure that the paper is formatted for easy reading and that you have included
your name on the paper.
- Revise your report.
- Submit your report.
Hints: Write this report as if you were writing a review for a magazine. Be honest
in your assessments; if you like something, say so and be polite¾
but not bashful¾ about things that could be improved. But also
provide balance; find something positive to say about the communication product.
Top
Click here to see.
Note that the sample pertains to an online communication product. Yours should
pertain to something in print.
Top
Due October 15.
Counts as 25 percent of your grade.
Grading criteria:
- Concepts presented: 70 percent. I am most interested in the depth of the analysis,
bringing out issues that might not be apparent on the surface.
- Quality of writing: 30 percent. How smoothly does the article read? How publishable is
the piece as written? How well did you follow the advice in Style-o-Rama and Design-o-Rama?
- Formatting: 10 percent. From a design viewpoint, how well easily does the paper read?
Did you identify yourself at the beginning of the paper? Do you use page numbers? Did you
use sub-headings, lists, charts, and illustrations to make text easy to scan and to make
ideas clear at a glance?
Reports that exceed 4 pages will lose one grade step for each additional page. Reports
that are single spaced will lose 4 grade steps.
Top
Syllabus
| Assignments | Schedule
| Resources | Site Map | Home