As this project is based on a piece of informative writing, layout to make the information more exciting and readable is key. In this post I'll be exploring the key steps to creating an effective layout for text publications.

Covers

The front cover of any publication has to immediately attract the intended audience. Newspapers are a good example of this as they use bold, large headlines to encourage their readers to read that particular story. Newspapers use a lot of white space to make their headings stand out, as well as occasionally adding a photo to support the story. This gives the readers more material to decide whether they want to read that particular story, as well as standing out on shop shelves.

Magazines have much more photo-based covers, using photos of celebrities or people of interest to pull in readers, as well as bold typography.

Content

On the inside, any publications content is organised for different paces for different audiences. For example, news publications use thin columns and small paragraphs to give the illusion to their audience that the piece is a 'quick read', as well as leaving enough space for relevant photos and quotes. On the other hand, magazines have more space to spread out their words with larger columns and pictures.

Digital Layout

There are no limitations on space when working for the screen, giving designers a lot more free reign with things that look appealing. However, there are things to consider, such as hierarchy, usability, and colour. Most news publications that have online sites use the 'grid system'. Subheadings are used as links to the stories and occasional featured stories will have more space on the page, including a bigger photo and maybe more information.

There are also interactive elements involved with sites, including social media links, video files and hyperlinks to related content. All of these icons and links are easy to navigate through so the audience can use the site with ease.

Typography is a vital part of the designing process. Deciding on your type-face can change the whole tone of your product.

Different fonts can convey different meaning and tones. For example, sans-serif fonts are a lot more formal than fonts with serif. However, this rule is not always true, as fonts differ even if they belong to the same serif family. Serif fonts can be elegant and modern, while sans-serif fonts can in turn be very plain and formal.

Serif fonts include:

Sans-serif fonts include:

However, styles of fonts can also change the tone of the writing. A bold, large font will be a lot more loud and blunt than a curvy, fun font. Bold, capital fonts are usually used as newspaper headers to grab the readers attention immediately, whereas more fun fonts are used to give the tone of a fun, colloquial relationship between the author and the reader.

When using font in online publishing, it is easier to use a sans-serif font as it is easier to read than the dashes and ticks on serif fonts. The line spacing (or kerning) also has to be more carefully used, as the more space between words means an easier read on a screen. Usually on screens, fonts are a lot larger font, again to make the reading easier.

While serif fonts were developed when the printing press was, we still use the method to convey important messages as well as using serif fonts in newspapers and a lot of other printed publications. It is a lot more formal and professional than the more simple sans-serif fonts, which are used mostly online, and when needed, in a leisurely and informal toned piece of copy.