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Design and Print
Design
When we talk about the design of documentation, we mean the
combination of its function and its layout. We design our documents to
meet the most important needs of the readers. These needs can be
discovered by asking two vitally-important questions:
- Who will read this document?
- What do they need to know?
Once we have realistic answers to these questions, we have gone a
long way towards creating a workable design of the document. At this
point, we will be defining what information the document must include,
and in what order that information needs to be arranged (i.e. a detailed
table of contents).
| Following on from this will be about defining how the document will
be presented (for example, paper, or screen or both); how its contents
will be linked to other information; and how that document will fit with
other documents. Knowing about the size of the document and how it will be
presented, makes it easier to decide on the best software to use to
generate that documentation (Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Adobe
FrameMaker, RoboHelp and so on).
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Who am I writing for? and What do they need to know?
Knowing about the readership of the document is important too; as it
will help us to recommend suitable writing styles, layouts, graphics,
typefaces, colour schemes, and screen-based or paper-based supply and
distribution methods. |
This planning phase of document design is very important as it allows
the document to be defined in terms of readership and content; and it
also allows the documentation project to be scoped much more accurately
in terms of cost and time. Hopefully, it is at this early stage that any
problem areas may become apparent, so that pragmatic solutions can be
developed before any critical deadline. Print
When people produce paper-based manuals, a common mistake is to
involve some-one with print sourcing expertise only at the last minute,
when you need some prices. Starting with a good understanding of
commercial print practice is a real benefit, as this means that design
decisions can be made with the knowledge of any likely financial
consequences. For example, whilst it might seem like a nice touch to print a user
guide in four colours, this is likely to be very much more expensive
than using just one or two colours.
Red House have a great deal of
experience in the printing of documents within the field of "tech
pubs". Over the years, we've probably come across and solved most
of the problems which are likely to occur. Generally, we have a very good understanding of the
various printing processes, and how they can be used electronically.
Importantly too, we are aware of the common problem areas in electronic
publishing, such as the use of typefaces, scanned images, image sizes,
colour separations, accurate colour matching and special finishes.
Examples of the projects we have worked on include:
- Printed User and Installation Manuals (black-and-white and full-colour)
- Plastic-laminated quick reference cards.
- Large loose-leaf documentation sets.
- Company Brochures.
- Low print-run digital printing, with an option to print on demand.
- Business cards, compliment slips and letter headed paper.
- Corporate
Identity Manuals.
- Self-published books of poetry, short stories, family histories
and biographies.
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