Karleen Stevens McAllester Writer and Editor
 

Resources and Ideas for Effective Communication

Communication is a complex process, so I believe in developing new methods and tools by drawing on a wide range of resources. I've benefited from workshops, college courses, self-paced tutorials, as well as brainstorming sessions with clients and colleagues.

This page is where I'll be sharing some of my ideas and sources of inspiration.


Incorporating visual communication...

Good visual design can make a document more appealing, which is helpful if you're faced with a reluctant audience. Graphics can also convey a dense array of data, sometimes even communicating more effectively than text or a spoken script. When developing a new format, it's important to consider the subject matter and audience.

Some basic options include:

Charts...
Chart for a Business Proposal
to report data, describe relationships and present conclusions.
 

CAD Images...
CAD Drawing for an Installation Guide
to show accurately scaled views of 3-D objects.
 

Icons...
Icon for a Software User Guide
to highlight critical information.
 

Screen Captures...
Screen Capture Used in Online Help for an Online Learning System
to show how to use a software application.
 

Photos...
Photo for an Installation Guide
to show an actual environment or piece of machinery.
 

Color and Layout...
Sample Layout Template for a User Guide
to show text, graphics and tables in an organized, hierarchical format.
 

For more inspiration, see Envisioning Information by Edward Tufte, a leader in the field of information design.

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Check back later for new ideas, or email a suggestion.