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Have you considered just reducing the size of the bullets?
J-M
Joan-Marie Moss
Joan-Marie Moss & Associates, Ltd
405 S. Home #201, Oak Park IL 60302 http://www.CreativeOptions.com
j-m -at- creativeoptions -dot- com
312-238-9579
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+j-m=creativeoptions -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+j-m=creativeoptions -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On
Behalf Of Geoff Hart
Sent: Wednesday, April 26, 2006 8:19 AM
To: TECHWR-L; Kirk Turner
Subject: List formats?
Kirk Turner reports: <<We had a meeting yesterday with the content experts,
and one of them made a snide remark about the "big fat bullets" that I used
for the unordered lists. Actually, the bullets are standard size, but this
content expert, a major architect in our state, likes the more eccentric
bullets available in Word--you know, the fancy arrows.>>
A key rule of information design is that you should change features of the
design to accomplish a specific purpose, not randomly because you're bored
with the old design. Bullets serve the purpose of indicating a list item,
and the standard round bullet is what everyone instantly recognizes. Change
that standard only if you have a defensible reason.
If the emphasis is function over form, there's no reason whatsoever to
change the standard bullet: it works just fine for its intended purpose, and
is instantly recognizable. If the emphasis is form over function--a
distinction certain self-important architects fail to recognize--then it's
appropriate to look for something more fancy.
The decision criterion is as follows: are we trying to make it look good, or
are we focusing on usability? The two are not inherently contradictory, but
extreme advocates of form and function often try to make it seem like they
are. What's important is to get your priorities straight, and work on
secondary priorities only once the primary priorities are met.
<<Also, He suggested that all the ordered lists be lettered.>>
Was it accidental that you capped "He"? <g> In general, there are two types
of lists: one in which the order is unimportant, and one in which it is. In
the former case, use bullets (i.e., symbols that lack any inherent order).
In the latter case, use either a number (most common) or a letter (not
uncommon) to communicate the concept of order or sequence.
There's little theoretical difference between letters and numbers, since
both clearly show sequence to any literate reader, though numbers may have a
slight theoretical edge. However, there is an important practical
difference: if the audience for this particular manual is familiar with one
or the other style, then consistency suggests you should stick with that
style.
Since you noted that you're closing on the deadline, it makes far more sense
to focus on getting the content right rather than quibbling over trivial
design details. Emphasize clarity and correctness of the content, and worry
about the other details later. Nobody expects elegance from a government
department, so nobody will be disappointed if your design isn't going to win
any graphic design awards. They will be disappointed and will possibly
suffer harm if the content sucks.
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