Document design is an important part of the technical writer’s job. A good technical writer designs a document so that it is easy to read and maintains a professional look and feel. There are a few considerations to keep in mind, and likely the first and foremost of these is knowing what the design conventions are for the type of document you are creating. You wouldn’t expect a formal report to have the same design as a personal memo. One could also adjust the design of a document to suit a particular audience, changing the format for readability or audience expectations.
The overall design serves many purposes, one of which is often proper identification of the source and destination of the document. Also, proper technical form maintains a professional image and can be boon to your credibility. In the more creative or less formal formats, choices of document design can also convey a touch of individuality to be picked up by the reader.
Document design will be the first thing a reader sees, so it is imperative that it is appropriate to the situation. Formal documents may need to adhere to stricter rules, and straying from them can reduce the reader’s opinion of your otherwise well-formed document.
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