Headings
Art
Typography
Spacing
This week I learned how to apply HATS in my writing and how important the look of a document is. If the document does not appeal to the eye, then it probably won't get read. If you do not have a good, informative heading in an article or an e-mail subject line, then it might not get read even if it has very good content. How the document is written and spaced, is like a mini hook to get someone to read it. White space is not a bad thing, we need to white space to divide and frame elements on a page. It also gives the reader relief and invites the reader to read it. Headings should be written in Sans Serif and the body should be written in Serif which is what I am writing in right now.
Using art in a document, you need introduce, insert, and interpret. You cannot just insert a visual and not talk about it. That is like inserting a quote and not talking about why it is important or how to apply it. Using tables and graphs have guidelines as well. You need to make sure that they represent accurate intervals. Red and green should not be used next to each other. If you don't have information, then you need to put N/A, don't leave it blank.
Remember pictures speak louder than words. Using photographs appropriately can convey your message much better than words can.
These principles are very important as they will improve your writing and even improve your credibility. Writing well is a skill that is being lost in the world, and the design or the page is going down as well. In the professional world it is very easy for your writing to get overlooked, so designing it will will help get people to actually read what you took the time to write.
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