GVCM Chapter 1 Introduction: Document Design

Name: Tyrone Simpson	Student Number:
ISM 4011: Introduction to Information Systems
Graphics and Visual Communication for Managers (GVCM)
Chapter 1 Introduction: Document Design
DIRECTIONS:  Read the chapter first, then: 1. Answer the questions as indicated below in the space under the question.  Answers may be found in the appropriate chapter of your GVCM textbook. 2. Change your answers to blue so they can be easily distinguished from the questions. 3. Create a new blog post and copy this information into the post. 4. Once it is pasted into your blog, select all the text (CTRL A) and change the font to TREBUCHET. 5. Change the TITLE of the post to: GVCM Chapter 1: Introduction: Documents as Visual Communication
1. List five decisions that affect a document’s readability and appeal:
How should the document be laid out on the page? How long should the text lines be? How should the text be aligned? (justified, right/left, or centered) What font or fonts should be used? How to most effectively combine type styles and visual design to show hierarchy of information?
2. Explain why you may choose to design a document with an underlying grid pattern (such as. 2/3 text, 1/3 for figures) as opposed to a single column document.
Utilizing an underlying grid pattern rather than a single column in a document allows text and graphics to be placed consistently throughout the document. This will make the information in the document easier for readers to locate, process, and understand.
3.  Explain how using white space appropriately can increase the effectiveness of your document.
Using white space appropriately in the document balances the content of the document and allows text to be “chunked out” so that pertinent information can be more easily identified. Using the appropriate amount of white space will also improve the visual quality of the document.
4.  What is the optimum line length in an effective document? What happens if the line length is too short? What if it is too long?
An effective line length in a document is between 35 and 70 characters. If the line length is too short it will require the reader’s eyes to change lines too often and will tire the reader. The effect is the same for line lengths that are too long. When line lengths are too long the reader will also become tired.
5. List and explain the four types of alignment and when each should be used.
1. Fully justified: when text is set flush left and flush right Used commonly in books, magazines, and newspapers 2. Left justified: when the lines of type align along the left margin but not the right Used most often in documents with long passages of text 3. Right justified: the lines of type align along the right margin but not the left Used commonly for photo or illustration captions and margin notes 4. Centered: when type lines have both a left and right ragged edge Used most often for invitations, announcements, and title pages
6. Explain the difference between serif and sans serif fonts. Give examples of each. IMPORTANT NOTE: Although serif fonts may be easy to read on printed documents, the serifs add extra pixels to electronic text which make the text more difficult to read on the screen (especially on mobile devices). This is why you change the font of your blog to Trebuchet, as sans serif font.
The difference between serif and sans serif fonts is that serif fonts have a small horizontal stroke that extends from the end of the vertical stroke, whereas the sans serif lacks this horizontal stroke.
7. What happens if you use a font in a shared Word document that is not available on the other person’s computer? How can you avoid this?
If you use a font that is not available on another person’s computer, then the other user’s software will attempt to substitute the unreadable font with one that is similar or the font may not be viewable at all. To avoid this situation it may be better to circulate the document in Portable Document Format (PDF).
8. a. What is a PDF file? What is the advantage of using PDFs?
A PDF file is a file that captures the exact look of a document as it would appear when printed, including text, fonts, images, and formatting. The advantages of using PDFs are that the files are portable across computer platforms and will look identical on Windows and Macintosh operating systems. They will also print from any system as they would from your computer.
b. If you created and formatted a Fresh Foods Marketplace Medical Insurance Form as a class exercise, upload the form into your GOOGLE DRIVE, changed the SHARE settings to PUBLIC, and copy and paste the link to the form here (see instructions for Google upload on D2L). FFM Medical Form PDF Link:
9. Explain the following type size terms:
a.  Point size: one point is equal to 1/72 of an inch. Dictates the type size. b.  Ascender: Vertical line part of a letter that ascends above the letter c.  Descender: Vertical line part of a letter that descends below the letter d.  X-height: The measure of a lowercase letter without any ascenders or descenders.
10.  How can two fonts that are the same point size (say, 36 points) look significantly different in size?
Fonts that have the same point size may still appear different in size depending upon their x-height.
11. What is leading (BTW, this is pronounced “ledding” not “leeding”)?  What recommendations regarding leading should be followed to create an effective document?  Why should you avoid leading that is “set solid”?
Leading is basically line spacing. Use at least 2 points of line spacing between lines of body copy. Add additional leading if you are using larger sizes of type. Add additional leading if you are using a font with a large x-height. You should avoid “set solid” because it requires the reader to read slower and is more difficult to read.
12. Why is a block of text that is in all UPPER-CASE difficult to read?
Text that is in all upper-case is more difficult to read because it does not allow for appropriate hierarchical distinction of information. Also, due to the lack of ascenders and descenders the text creates a consistency that makes distinguishing between letters and recognizing words at a glance more difficult.
13. List at least four different type styles. Why should you avoid using too many different type styles in a document?
Bold Letters Italic Letters Underline Letters All Uppercase Letters Using to many different type styles in a document may cause readers to become confused about how to interpret the repetitive changes.
NOTE regarding the RECOMMENDATIONS on pages 19-20: The recommendations on pages 19-20 provide a brief, but excellent set of guidelines to follow when designing an effective document. You will be responsible for following these guidelines for all documents you create for this course.  (You will also want to keep these guidelines in mind when you are tasked with creating a document for your business or organization.)