What is good document design?

According Reep,Diana C (2006,p162) agree that the combination of imagae and text design can increase reader interest and understand to the document. Therefore, it is important to have both images and texts in a good document design.


During the previous individual presentation i did try to use both of images and texts in some of my presentation slide. The reason of using the combination of images and texts is to capture the attention and interest from audience. However, some of the slide do not have images. The result from the presentation was obviously show that when i present the slide with both image and text are able to capture more attention from audiences. So that some of the improvement is needed, such as adding more related image in the presentation slide. Besides these, the background, placement, contrast in colours are needed to attract reader attention.

In individual presentation, the structure is come with the main point, my opinion and support point. The presentation structure is different with the group presentation slide. The weakness of group presentation slide due to not enough preparation. The problem of group presentation slides was no of supporting authors nor images to support ours discussion.

According to KvL(2007), Walsh(2007), and Schriver(1997), " A picture able to show the meaning of thousand words". It has show the important reflection from a related picture.

Picture 1 : Without text

Picture 2 : With text


Here, we notice that the different between picture 1 and 2 is the text of 'Just do it'. Picture 1 seems a sign to agree the little boy action. However, the picture 2 with text can clearify it as a advertisement of Nike. Again, here. The combination of images and text can express clearer meanings.


According Schriver, K.A. (1997,p412-440),words and pictures work together where it is redundant, complementary, supplementary, juxtaposition and stage-setting. It helps to express the real meaning of the true. And so Kress & Van Leeuwen (1998,p189), agrees that the integrating function, bringing the elements of the picture together into a coherent and meaning whole.


Reference list :

1.Kress, G. & van L, T2006. Reading images. Chapter 6: The meaning of composition.
2.Kress, G. & van Leeuwen, T1998. “Front pages: The critical analysis of newspaper layout”, Blackwell, Oxford.
3.Reep, Diana C2006, Technical Writing, 6th ed, ‘Chap 4: Principles of Document Design,’ in., Pearson Edu, Inc., New York,
4.Schirato, T & Yell, S1996, ‘Chapter 5: Framing contexts,’ in Communication and cultural literacy: an introduction., Allen and Unwin,St.Leonards,N.S.W
5.Schriver, KA1997, Chapter 6 in Dynamics in document design, Wiley Computer Pub, New York