5 Page and Screen DesignHeaders and FootersHeaders are the information and graphics at the top of the page that are not part of the text. Footers are the information and graphics at the bottom of the page. Normally there are two different headers and footers—one for left pages and one for right pages—with different information or graphics. Except for page numbering, the headers and footers will be the same throughout a module. See Figure 5-5. 
Figure 5-5: Sample headers and footers Page Control InformationHeaders and footers contain important page control information, which tells readers where they are in the manual and provides other important information about the module they are reading. This is particularly important when manual holders are adding new modules to the manual, or if the manual pages ever get out of order. The following items and page control information are typically found in headers and footers:
As well as the above information, the following are sometimes found in manual headers and footers, but are not recommended:
At a minimum, there should be enough information on each sheet (not necessarily on each page) to tell readers which manual the sheet came from, where it belongs in the manual, and whether it’s current or not. The module number and page number normally appear at the outside edge of the paper so they can be seen easily when the reader is thumbing the pages (see Figure 5-6). This means that these numbers should appear on the right on right-hand pages and on the left on left-hand pages. To avoid confusing page numbering with module numbering, it’s a good idea to place one in the header and the other in the footer. Incidentally, right-hand pages always have odd page numbers and left-hand pages always have even page numbers—this is a universal typographic convention. 
Figure 5-6: Sample module numbers and page numbers Header and footer information isn’t necessary online because the ‘pages’ can’t come loose. However, context information is still needed to tell users where they are in the online manual. Without some information that identifies the place in the manual, users may “get lost in hyperspace.” Note the various forms of context information in Figure 5-7. 
Figure 5-7: Note the various forms of context information in this Web manual Logos and Graphic Lines Logos can be printed in colour if they are part of the pre-printed shell, or they can be inserted into the header or footer and printed out with the text. Alternatively, you can link to the graphic file, so that each time that file is printed, your word processor will insert a new copy of the file you linked to. If you’re using older computer equipment, check the impact of using graphics on your printing speed. Graphic lines or rules are often used to visually separate the headers and footers from the text. Using Logos and Graphic Lines OnlineYou can use your logo online by converting the graphic file to . jpg or . gif file formats. Most Web authoring tools will do this automatically. For more information on recommended file formats, see Graphics. A great variety of graphic lines are available from online clip-art sources in various widths and patterns, and can be used to separate different types of information. |
 |
Many organizations like to use their logo on manual pages. When deciding
where to place it, how big it should be, and whether it should be on
all pages or just left or right pages, consider the page spread. A large
logo on the top of every page may disrupt the graphic balance of the
page and distract the reader’s attention.
Copyright © 2006 Duncan
Kent & Associates Ltd.