Page and Screen Make-Over

Final Product

Using the design principles and guidelines presented in class, re-design the following text as a 2-page spread and as a topic. (The article is longer than 2 pages--just format 2 of them.)

When you submit your work, provide the following:

1. A copy of the original pages you are redesigning.
2. Your redesigned page. Use the desktop publishing software of your choice (such as MS Word, MS Publisher, and Quark)to prepare the layout. If it is easier for you, you may prepare your blocks of text separately and paste them up.

Your layout should include at the least: a heading, appropriate retrievability aids, and at least one "specialty" device, such as a pulled quote, kicker, or sidebar.

3. A printout of your redesigned topic. Use the authoring software of your choice to create the topic, such as DreamWeaver or FrontPage.

Your layout should include, at the least: a heading, appropriate navigational aids, at least one link, and at least one "specialty" device, such as a pulled quote, kicker, or sidebar.

Note:  For the most professional of presentations, you might mount your redesigns on black mounting paper. (This is optional, and just for your work, not the originals.)

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Purpose of the Assignment

• To apply the principles and guidelines for typography and layout (display design) presented in class.
• To enhance your skills in suggesting improvements to existing documents and information products.
• To develop your comfort in switching among media commonly used by technical communicators.

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What You Should Do

This project will be started in class. You should have time to most of the "creative" work there, but will have an opportunity to apply finishing touches at home before submitting the final draft.

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Grading Issues

Due at the beginning of class, November 5. Graded Pass/Fail.

Counts as 10 percent of your grade.

Grading issues:

• Typography:
• Appropriateness of heading and body font
• Appropriateness of size
• Appropriate use of emphasis
• Number of fonts
• Other issues
• Layout
• Use of convention
• Appropriate placement of information
• Effective use of "specialty" devices, such as pull quotes, kickers, and sidebars
• "Cleanliness"
• For page layouts: integration of the 2 facing pages, appropriate use of retrievability aids
• For screen layouts: apropriate use of navigational aids, appropriate placement of links
• Other issues
• Inventiveness.
• Appropriateness to the intended audience and purpose
• Ability to attract attention
• Ability to retain attention
• Creativity in your approach

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