ENG 204-001

I think the most valuable aspect I can get out of these readings and apply to my project will be the example of the bear design. I think initially, in order for me to draft my instructions project, my design will turn out a little like the first bear example. It will be a scramble of ideas, that will eventually be useful for the end result. I think after seeing the example of how to organize these ideas into a better designed project, it will be a springboard for me to combine my ideas.

I think the most challenging part will be learned how to make the design "invisible." This seems like it will be the overall effect of design after I've mastered the other tricks. After learning how to put the other tips to use (using white space effectively, guiding the eye, etc.) the idea of design being invisible will come. I'm not completely sure which medium to use to present my instructions, so it's difficult to envision how I can accurately make use of these concepts.

Overall, I think the readings functioned more to enlighten me to the importance of design than to point me in the direction of how to apply them to my project.

TCT Chapter 10: Designing Documents and Interfaces, TCT Chapter 11: Creating and Using Graphics, and Instructor Blog: Design, were all very useful readings that will help me during the instructions project. I always knew that design mattered when writing anything, but these documents pointed out exactly how crucial design actually is. Instructor Blog: Design gives a real life example of how the design or layout of a product can affect customers and sales. The PepsiCO Company suffered from lack of sales and criticism after their redesign of the Tropicana juice package. Customers complained that they could no longer differentiate between the Tropicana juice and regular store and generic brands. This example enforced how important design is. I found the blog interesting when it discussed how “good design is invisible”. This is remarkably true. When reading a well-formatted document, the first thing to come to my mind isn’t, “Wow, this has such good design!”. We only notice design when there is something wrong. Our eyes are drawn to the errors of design on a page. We focus our attention on these errors rather than on the actual content of the page. When a document is designed well, we are persuaded to read through, focusing on the content.
As the readings discuss, design establishes ethos. If a document contains grammatical and spelling errors, faults in the alignment, and is off balance, a reader will believe it to be unprofessional and therefore untrustworthy. Good design goes hand and hand with credibility and professionalism.
The five principles of Design discussed in TCT Chapter 10: balance, alignment, grouping, consistency, and contrast, are all extremely important when writing professionally as well. The chapter presented very helpful information for utilizing these principles successfully when writing. For the grouping principle, I found the “Levels of Headings” section to be very informative when it discussed inconsistent, consistent, unspecific, and specific headings. It also included examples. If I am going to be using headings during this project, I will now be informed of the proper and most efficient way to use them.

I think the five design principles will be especially helpful in creating effective instruction sets. People are naturally inclined to read things that are both attractive and well organized, and if a set of instructions has these elements it is already that much more effective. This includes the balance and distrubution of information on the page, as well as clarity of language. The graphic element is not necessary for my subject, but I will likely be using pictures anyway for at least one of my audiences. As Chapter 11 illustrates, graphics are a great way to support and enhance the written component of any letter, web page, or in our class, a set of instructions.
It will be difficult to choose which graphics will work and which will be more confusing than helpful. For example, on page 275 there is a table which is meant to define the number of deaths from West Nile Virus in several Michigan counties. I feel this table is ineffective because the organization of the material is confusing, and the grid is all one color. I also need to ensure my graphics do not “replace” the text but “reinforce” it instead. I feel this will be my biggest obstacle because I am a very visual person who learns by seeing something done rather than reading about it. I will have to adjust this for the instruction sets I produce.

"Good design is invisible." This quote alone prompted me to re-read it several times. The truth of this is readily apparent everywhere we go, be it a web page to the car we drive. Like the blog went on to discuss, rarely do people notice good design unless they're looking for it specifically. Conversely, when something has poor design, it sticks out like a sore thumb.

For example, take the popular online video game Eve Online. While many people play and enjoy the game, most people would be totally confused by its design at a first glance. There are charts, numbers, bars, and all manner of extraneous information forced onto the screen at once, obscuring what you actually need to focus on. Eve is constantly criticized for its poor user interface - this is an example of poor design.

In keeping with the video game examples, take a game like Mass Effect 2 - all relevant information is displayed only when it is necessary to the user. However, the game is not lauded for its intuitive, well crafted design. Indeed, while bad design is a popular topic for negative criticism, good design is rarely ever praised. This is in keeping with the quote - we, as consumers, expect the things we use to be designed well. If the design falls short somehow, we notice it, and we criticize it.

The five design principles outlined in our Technical Communication Today Chapter 10, are going to be extremely critical with constructing my instructions project. The principles are: balance, alignment, grouping, consistency, and contrast. Balance, the most prominent feature of design, refers to how the document's information appears horizontally and vertically on the page. Alignment can also be referred to as hierarchy. Images and words on the page are aligned to represent the document's structure. Grouping occurs when images and textual information are placed near each other in order to be seen as one unit. Consistency relates to design features being used consistently in a way to create an appearance of uniformity. Items to be considered for consistency include: headings, page numbers, and lists. Finally, items varying slightly create a nice contrast. It is important, however, to not differentiate the items too much because it will become inconsistent. Contrast make items look distinct and add energy to the page.

It has been remarked on in the previous comments, but I wholeheartedly agree that making my design "invisible" will be the most challenging. When we notice any flaws in something, our attention fixates on that error(s). For example, there is a sign outside of Wagoner Hall that spells Wagoner, "Waggoner." I do not even remember what the rest of the message says; the misspelling is the most memorable.

One point that is touched on in both chapter 10 of TCT and the instructor blog is the fact that well-designed documents are not simply preferred by readers, they are expected (pp. 232). I find this fact interesting and completely true. Most people don’t even think about the design of a document unless it is unsuccessful. It’s like the kicker on a football team—no one notices him until he messes up and blows the game. In high school I was the editor of the sports section in our award-winning yearbook. I had to set up all the layouts and designs for the section, so naturally I began to notice mistakes and unsuccessful layouts. But most people just flip through the yearbook casually, looking for pictures of themselves or friends, failing to notice layout and design unless it is flawed.

Another part of chapter 10 I found interesting is the section comparing serif and sans serif fonts. I noticed that, as the book points out, most designers usually use two fonts: one from each category (pp. 252). In fact, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to NOT notice this fact. The textbook I’m reading, the cup I’m drinking out of, and the shirt I’m wearing—all contain one serif font and one sans serif font. Thanks a lot, TCT.

In my instructions project, I don’t think I will need to use graphs or charts as graphics, but I do plan on using photographs of important steps to help accompany text. I will take into account the tips mentioned on pages 291-292, including using close ups, minimizing background clutter, and making sure the lighting is good. I will go about this by either photographing the objects inside against a white wall or outdoors in the sun against a constant background and with the same framing. I will keep all the tips mentioned in the book and the instructor blog in mind throughout the instructions project.

TCT: Chapter 10

I found the most interesting part of these articles to be the study where the human eye makes judgment of a webpage in one 20th of a second. I never realized that we judge design so quickly and without the conscious thought of it. However, now I do notice that when skimming through information on the web I always look for a site that is visually organized as well as informative. Visually, I think balance is extremely important in document and web design. All of the other elements can be perfect but without balance the information is not visually pleasing and therefore annoying to read. Consistency is also needed, this way the reader can transition through the document smoothly. Consistency is also the main way that people recognize a product or document each new time they come across it. I noticed in the reading where the Pepsi design was mentioned. I actually noticed this change in the product and I remember wondering why they would change the design to something so visually boring. Also, the mention of consistency regarding phony emails is completely true to life. This is one of the main ways I can tell the difference between official UNCW emails and scam emails. I can also tell the difference between other emails and whether they are scams because of their layout. Professional emails always exhibit the five principles of design. The revision of the bear encounter instruction brings up a good example of organization. The first example lacks organization. However, adding bullet points to the second example allows the reader to smoothly transition between each step making the instructions more clear. For me, design has never been something I consciously make a note of. However, after these reading I realize that I do prefer to read a document or choose a product that exhibits good design.

After reading the two chapters in the book and the instructor blog design, I would like to discuss the importance of alignment. Either vertically or horizontally, this is something crucial for me and for the people who have a visual memory. This kind of memory works as a screen capture that stays in the brain of the person, and like if you were watching your computer, you then move an invisible cursor in your mind. But the structure of a document and its design makes it possible, because it is much easier to remember a particular aspect than a cluster of words aligned ones with the others.

On page 242, when we look at the FBI website page, I notice very quickly that there are three main areas: the banner, the navigation bar, and the central zone. This is very helpful to navigate because you can visualize the entire website as you read through.

Another critical issue is the use of graphs. From personal experience, I can state that every time I look at a document that has a graph on it, this is the first thing I want to "read". Especially when there are colors on it, it attracts my eyes, and I also assume that this graph is either a representation of the main subject in the document, or at least a handful set of data used to support the argumentation. This suggests that the graph sums up the whole document, and this is why the design of this graph must allow the reader to understand easily.

Moreover, remembering an image is easier than a "pure" text because of it is more unique and vivid. It is also a powerful tool to communicate on a multicultural basis, as some symbols can be known by billion of people (p. 297).

To conclude, I think that these readings were necessary to make us aware of the importance of design, but each project / document is unique and I would rather focus on the goal of my instruction set than on using as many design tools as possible.

The instructor's blog reading points out a very interesting fact: "good design is invisible". This is very true. You know you are reading a well designed paper when in actuality, you don't know at all. Documents are designed to convey a message. Any distraction that draws the reader's attention away from this message is in fact due to poor design and will reduce the documents effectiveness.

Poor document design can result from improper consideration of many aspects of the work, including balance, alignment, grouping, consistency, and contrast. When these aspects are not used properly the reader's attention can be diverted away from the main topic of the paper. Improper balance and alignment can interrupt the flow of the document. Poorly aligned documents cause the reader's eyes to jump around the page and lose focus. Grouping and consistency also play a huge role in the flow of a document. Parts of a document should be organized in a predictable and sensible way. Components of a page should all be formatted and placed in the same location from page to page. This way the reader can become comfortable with the layout and read more efficiently and effectively. Contrast is also important because if not taken into consideration words can be difficult to make out. The purpose of looking at all these factors is to make the document as streamlined as possible, providing minimal distractions and guiding the reader along naturally in the right direction.

I believe that the most important aspect from the readings that will help with our current project would be the principles of design from Chapter 10: Designing Documents and Interfaces. Following the five guidelines will help in creating the most effective instructions because the design is very important in creating a level of understanding. With the advancements in understanding how the human mind comprehends and works, designs have become a science to itself. If something is poorly designed with no balance, contrast, or consistency, flaws with reveal themselves in obvious ways. That is why it is so important to insure that any work is well balanced and organized, making sure all data and graphics are properly placed.

As in Chapter 11, graphics are discussed with proper guidelines on how to use them in orderly ways. Graphics are very important to me because I find them very helpful when trying to understand something, especially things that are hard to comprehend. I have heard it said many times that pictures speak louder than words. The guidelines discussed should be followed in choosing the right graphics for a work, but then your decisions fall back into chapter 10 material on content relativity that is balanced and consistent.

Especially for sets of instruction like we will be doing our project on, I feel that pictures are the most important feature. Personally, I hardly read the text and content when pictures are provided in unison with the steps. Why try to develop a mental image from the description when they provide very helpful ones right out of the instruction?

I thought the bear examples given in the blog were especially helpful in thinking about instruction sets. It was interesting to see how the information was laid out for a situation that is potentially life threatening. The size of the bear picture was something that I never would have thought about before reading the blog, but the line being off from the bottom of the photo did bother me because I was focused on the white space under the line rather than the information. The blog also proved the importance of bullets and bolding words. There was a tremendous difference when the eyes were able to zero in on the most important details quickly and without effort.
The example of Apple was easy for me to understand and relate to. When I switched from a PC to a MacBook, everything was so different that I thought I wouldn’t ever be able to figure it out. After using it for an hour or so though I found that the layout made usability easier than ever. The use of same size icons in the dock works much the same way as pictures in the same size do in instructions. The eye is not led to one thing over another, and it is easy to find what you are looking for. I also think it is important that Apple systems put the exiting and minimizing bar on the top left hand corner instead of the right. This could be just do make their systems different, but it could also apply to the direction people read in that is discussed in chapter 10 of TCT.
After reading the chapters and blog, it is more apparent to me that the usability of an instruction set or document really does rely on design. This project will be a lot easier to complete now by knowing the key to making the instructions coherent.

There is a reason templates exist. MS Word or any other MS Office Product, though not without its flaws, are packaged with multiple templates. There is a reason the company is able to do this. Certain designs just work. The templates offered are not sloppily or hurriedly created. They follow certain patterns and rules. Blog templates and any web page WYSIWYG exist because they work. On blogger.com, there are sixteen options for overall design including colors, backgrounds, etc. Within those template options are multiple ways of arranging those component on the page. However, the options are not endless. All boxes for text or pictures are aligned by the program itself. If blogger.com wants to be successful, it must facilitate successful individual blogs. Though advanced users to have the option of uploading their own templates, the overwhelming majority of users choose to work with one of the templates already provided.

A good example of a website that is well-designed (judged with purely objective standards) is the website for this class. The page listing group members is, with few exceptions, properly balanced, aligned, logically grouped, and consistent. On the left side of the page, all chosen avatars are the same size and shape. Though some are more rectangular than square, they are still relatively the same. On the right side of the page, at the bottom, text links that offer similar usability are grouped together. Easy access to all of the websites vital personal information is easily found. The colors are consistent. Varying (with only slight variations) of blue are used along with black and white. There is no reason for the eye to have to adjust from one section to the next because of color.

The process of design is and should be laborious. All written communication is visual communication. Lack of attention to design creates a document that communicates poorly.

Chapter ten focuses on how to design a document to be more readable for your audience. This is important for our instructions project because sometimes instructions are not the most interesting thing to read. It is important for us to make them as interesting and easy to read as possible so that we don't lose the attention of our readers.

I think that the most important part of chapter ten was how to balance the weight of the document. I have never thought about weight being a factor in a document, but now I realize that it is very important. It is especially important for us because the weight can throw off the readability of our instructions and make the reader not even want to read them. The most interesting part about chapter ten for me was the part about the colors. I never realized that colors held completely different connotations for people in different countries.

The main point of chapter eleven is that graphics are especially important in holding a reader’s attention. Something especially relevant for us is the tip that graphics should not replace written information, but it should reinforce it. This will be an important thing for our projects because it is important to have all of the instructions written out for someone to read. Then, depending on the audience, it may be better to insert a graphic to help prove a point (such as for a younger audience who needs an illustration).

Overall, the design and graphics in a document can make or break it. If the design of a document is great, people will have no trouble reading it and understanding your information. If it is designed poorly, it will most likely lose the attention of the reader and cause them to lose interest in your product.

This reading was very helpful given our upcoming project. The first thing i read that really stood out was that a graphic should tell a simple story. If you use a picture in your instructions, you want it to be simple as to not confuse anyone. A picture should more or less explain itself. Most of the chapter focuses on types of graphs and im not really sure if we will be using graphs in this project, but it was helpfull to know how to insert them and label them. These readings showed how important the layout and design of my project has to be, and i never realized how important that is. Having all of your material uniform and alligned properly can make a huge difference to the reader. I found the page layout section of chapter 10 important because i hadn't put any thought into a layout for my instructions. Having a nice layout and keeping a balance will make an instructions sheet much easier to read and understand. It is also interesting how everything is targeted towards computer functions and helpful since we will be making these on a computer. It is very true when they mention that a good design is expected by readers and is unnoticed unless the design is faulty. This is true because in class when we looked at various instruction sheets, everyone seemed to point out the bad layouts and the good ones were just passed by because it is expected to have a good, efficient layout. It was very interesting to read about the judgements of websites and how humand judge them so quickly without so much as looking at them. That really tells us that our designs have to be flawless so when people even glance at them, they don’t stand out as a bad design.

In TCT Chapter 10: Designing Documents and Interfaces, there were plenty of useful ideas that can be used for our instruction sets. Most likely I will be making an instruction set on paper so knowing how to balance the document will be very helpful. The best tip I learned here is to look at it as if I had to balance the page on the point of my pencil. Very important to a concise and clear instruction set is consistency. If it weren’t consistent readers may question the legitimacy of your knowledge in the topic and if they really should trust what they are reading. If I will be using images in the document they need to be consistent as well. They should be labeled consistently too. Basically as chapter 10 says I will be creating a sequential list, so items are presented in a specific order to show the sequence of steps to accomplish a certain task.

TCT Chapter 11: Creating and Using Graphics had a few good things to learn from as well. Key to remember when making these instructions is to remember that you shouldn’t replace any of your instructions with just a graphic. The graphic should complement the instructions and make them easier to comprehend. There were other good ideas in the chapter that don’t relate to the project too. One that really made me laugh out loud is the common icon that is supposed to depict a man sneezing. To me when I first looked at the icon I thought he was depicted as vomiting. I had to read the caption in order to figure out its true meaning. I can see these types of unintentional meanings as slightly distracting and embarrassing.

In chapter 10: Designing Documents and Interfaces of our book TCT it has the five design steps that are critical for this project. It lists the five principals as balance, alignment, grouping, consistency, and contrast.
Balance refers to how the document's information appears along the page and where it is located horizontally and vertically. Alignment is thought as a finer detail to the balance of the wording and pictures. Grouping is able to occur when images and textual information are placed near each other to be seen as a single unit. Consistency relates to the design features being used repeatedly in the way to create an appearance of uniformity. Items to be considered for consistency include: headings, page numbers, lists and so forth. Finally there is item verification, which can create a perfect contrast if used in small doses. Do not use too much of a varying change because it can and will become inconsistent. Contrast can give a look distinct and add energy to the page when used properly unlike the Rubik Cube web page.
If these are done properly it makes your design seem invisible, which is a good thing because you know you are reading a great designed paper when in reality, you don't notice it at all. Documents are designed to convey a certain message to the reader and any distraction that draws their attention away from this message due to a faulty and improperly designed paper and will reduce the effectiveness of the document.