Effective professional writing means more than simply pulling together the information your readers need. It also means arranging and presenting that information in a way that is useful and easy to follow. The basic elements of a well-designed page include font style, size, use of color, images or graphics, and white space, as well as the way the information is grouped or clustered together and the order in which it is presented.
Design guru Robin Williams (no, not the actor) identified four key principles, known by the acronym CRAP in her best-selling book, The Non-Designer’s Design Book, which is well worth the price for any writer! For this assignment, you’ll review some design basics and create a one-page flyer or information page for a dental office.
Part 1
(1) Read: Lannon, Ch. 13, “Designing Pages and Documents,” p. 283-306 and Visual Design Theory (PDF)
(2) Create a flyer or information page for a new dental practice, using the strategies from the readings. Here’s the information that needs to be included:
Announcing the opening of the Dental Office of Dr. Noor Lunstrum, specializing in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics. Suite 15, 198 Newcastle Drive, Richmond, IN 47374, 765-9999. Cleaning, Fillings, Teeth Whitening (safe for all enamel), Anxiety-Free Drilling, Wide Range of Numbing Choices, Gum Disease and Halitosis Treatments. Payment plans available. Most insurance plans accepted. Grand Opening Apr. 1, 2015. We are located right behind Eddinger Park. Dr. Lunstrum is joining Drs. Finley and Kim in their practice. New patients welcome. Office hours: 7:30 am—6:00 pm M-F, 8:00 am-Noon Saturdays. Dr. Lunstrum has ten years’ experience in helping kids to love taking care of their teeth. www.finleykimandlunstrum.com. What is pediatric dentistry? Simply put, this is a practice devoted to kids! We employ the latest techniques to minimize the trauma and fear that often accompany children’s visits to the dentist. We understand that there are many other places that your kids would rather go, and yet as parents, we know that regular dental care is critical to keeping good health. Our office reflects architectural design principles aimed at creating a friendly setting and our staff has received specialized training in attending to the smallest of patients. When you bring your kids here, you’ll experience the difference—and so will they!
Does this look like a big jumble of information? It is! Your job is to make it readable through visual design principles. You can use the exact wording provided–the key here is how you design the page, particularly employing use of spacing, contrast, alignment, proximity, font choice, white space, subheadings and other features.
If you want to play with the wording, that’s okay. Just don’t omit any information. And please DO NOT use a template, such as in Word, Publisher or other programs! The goal is for you to exercise your OWN page design skills
