Browse Books

Reviewer: Stephen J. Tauber

The subtitle creating text for readers aptly describes the emphasis of this book. Extensive coverage is given to appropriate content, good typography, and effective use of graphics. Computers are distinctly secondary in the discussion. A 44-page-long chronology, “A Timeline of Document Design, 1900–1995,” devotes one of five categories to “Science, Technology, & Environment.” Computer technology is acknowledged for its role in word processing and desktop publishing. The effects accessible via these capabilities are described, but little is said about the underlying technology or techniques. The sixth and last chapter, “The Interplay of Words and Pictures,” extensively discusses hypertext and navigating among documents, especially as they appear on the World Wide Web. The author's observations on and advice about what makes online documents effective are based, to a significant extent, on experiments with actual users. Apprentice and journeyman Web page designers should heed the appendix, “Guidelines for Designing Online Displays.” The bibliography contains about 700 citations, with perhaps three to five percent related to automation or computers. In 50 columns of subject index, just under 2 columns key on “computer,” and an aggregate of about 1 column more uses headings such as “hypertext,” “Internet,” “online documents,” and the names of vendors such as Adobe, Apple, and Netscape. The author achieves her stated goals of describing how document design has evolved, characterizing how readers think and feel about documents, and demonstrating the practical advantages of taking readers' needs seriously. As befits a work on this subject, the book uses excellent typography and page makeup, is lucidly written, and incorporates graphics to good effect. Anyone who seeks to prepare effective documentation for paper or screen (technical manual writers and help page designers take note) would do well to study this book.