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#lang pollen
◊ ( define - meta title "maxims of page layout" )
◊ hanging - topic [ ( topic - from - metas metas ) ] { Principles of balance and consistency }
Successful typography requires you to pay attention to the whole , not just the parts . These maxims summarize the key principles I keep in mind when I ’ m laying out a document .
◊ numbered - list {
◊ strong { Decide first how the body text will look . }
Why ? Because there ’ s more body text than anything else .
◊ ( omission )
◊ strong { Divide the page into foreground and background . }
The foreground contains the most important page elements . The background contains everything else . Don ’ t let the background elements upstage the foreground elements .
◊ ( omission )
◊ strong { Make adjustments with the smallest visible increments . }
Typography thrives on fine details . The difference between not enough and too much can be small .
◊ strong { When in doubt , try it both ways . }
Don ’ t try to resolve typographic decisions with logic . There ’ s no substitute for printing samples of two options and getting a visual reaction .
◊ strong { Be consistent . }
Typography quietly describes to readers a structure and hierarchy . Things that are the same should look the same . Things that look different should actually be different . Without consistent treatment of similar elements , the document will come across as random and meandering .
◊ strong { Relate each new element to existing elements . }
The only time you have unfettered discretion is when the page is blank . After that , the page is like a jigsaw puzzle that becomes more constrained with each new piece .
◊ strong { Keep it simple . }
A principle as true in typography as anything else . If you think you need three colors and five fonts , think again .
◊ strong { Imitate what you like . }
Why reinvent the wheel ? If you see typography you like — in a book , in a magazine , on a sign — emulate it . Learning to see what ’ s good about other examples of typography makes it easier to solve problems in your own layouts .
◊ strong { Don ’ t fear white space . }
A lot of mediocre typography results from a perceived need to fill space . Things get too big or spread out . Work outward from the text , not inward from the page edges . If the text looks good , the white space will take care of itself .
}