Design and Rhetoric:English 505
January 22, 2008
Rhetoric
Analytic → Analysis
Heuristic → Production
• Rhetoric, briefly defined, is the use of symbols to produce an effect; in professional writing, specifically, it is the use of audience and context awareness, concise and clear writing, persuasive images and graphics, and well-designed documents to facilitate cooperation between people within and beyond specific institutions.
DesignDesign could be viewed as an activity that translates an idea into a blueprint for something useful, whether it's a car, a building, a graphic, a service or a process.
Design is a rhetorical activity.
DesignIn the first and final analysis, design is about effecting change in people’s choices and behavior. People choose to use or enjoy a particular design. People change, modify or adapt their behavior in order to engage new features, new functionality and new experiences. In other words, they are persuaded—or they persuade themselves—that the design is worth their time, effort, money and/or resources.—The Power of Persuasion; by Michael Schrage
Design and Rhetoric:English 505
January 22, 2008
the rhetorical situation audience purpose context
design principles contrast repetition alignment proximity
document design is writing information—books, pamphlets, posters, web pages,
reports, and more—that integrate words and images in productive, appropriate ways
is bringing together words, graphics, typography—and more design features—to instruct, inform, or persuade
should help people learn and understand, use and apply something, make decisions, and get a job done
should enable people to use a document in ways that serve their interests and needs
goals of document/page design (Markel)
to make a good impression on readers
to help readers understand the structure and hierarchy of information
to help readers find the information they need
to help readers understand the information
be driven by readers’/viewers’/users’ needs
be a guide; it should enhance, entice, and lead, not distract
be deliberate—that is, elements should be selected, structured, and emphasized carefully
document design should
margins blank space paragraph spacing paragraph length line spacing line length justification type sizes and typefaces
(fonts) type features (e.g., bold,
italics, strikethrough)
letter case highlighting color graphics, images,
icons, symbols tables, charts,
diagrams columns headings headers and footers page numbers
document design includes
usable documents
usable means more than just “ease of use”
usable means thinking about how and why people use a document
usable means evaluation, assessment, and redevelopment
usable means user-centered practices and user-centered design
when document design fails
“Design for the greater good is that which is usually overlooked: airport signage, stamps, passports, the driver’s license. It’s time for our government to act publicly, fervently and adamantly in advocating the essential and necessary nature of design. Design should be valued and recognized for the power it holds.” (JP Williams)
C.R.A.P.
Jacques Carelman: “Coffeepot for Masochists”
http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/50
8:15-12:34