Document Readability Design and Layout for Editors

with Flora Gordon

When: Between March 6 and 31, 2021, watch three pre-recorded 30-minute lectures and complete assignments; on Thursday, April 8, 2021, from 7:30 to 9:00 pm, attend a live discussion and critique.

Where: Live session on April 8 is via Zoom.

Understanding the fundamental rules of design not only enhances your editorial skills, it also makes you a more effective partner in the design process. Graphic designer Flora Gordon will share design tips that improve the readability of documents to meet the needs of readers. Participants will explore typography, spacing, and other design tactics for making text-heavy documents more appealing to readers. Using a combination of short lectures and a friendly and constructive live critique with demonstrations, this workshop will increase participants’ understanding and knowledge of design principles.

This webinar is for editors and communication professionals who are not designers but want to learn more about design. No design experience is necessary, but participants should have a working knowledge of MS Word.

Format

Parts 1 to 3: Three 30-minute pre-recorded lectures and demonstrations to watch between March 6 and 31, 2021. Participants will then complete and email assignments to Flora Gordon in advance of Part 4.

Part 4: On April 8, 2021, we’ll hold a live 90-minute session on Zoom with Flora Gordon. She will look at assignments to offer suggestions and critiques and will give demonstrations. There will be lots of opportunity for questions and discussion.

Flora Gordon is a professionally certified graphic designer with over 12 years of professional experience designing for the public sector. She has also worked in magazine and technical publishing. Flora created the course Plain Graphics and Design for Simon Fraser University (SFU), and she facilitates other courses in the Editing and Technical Publishing certificate programs at SFU. Flora has presented at the Editors Canada conferences in 2016 and 2018.