IPD SERIOUS WEBLOGS: Screen VS Print Document Design

According to Jakob Nielsen (1999), screen design (web) is basically a scrolling experience which user just need to type, scroll and click the information they searching for from the world wide web through computer screen. However, print document design is a visual appearance of printed document in the form of hard copy which produce by using the use of ink and paper to deliver information. Common examples of print document design are newspaper and books.

Screen Design (Web)

Print Document Design (Newspaper)

There are few differences between screen and print document design in term of their layout, navigation,and font size. As example in this case, i would use power point slides (screen) and books (print document) to show the differences.

First will be the layout of screen design (power point slides). A power point slide can be expend to full screen mode while presentation and it able to have the view of slides at left bar when plotting slides. Besides that pictures and even videos can be added into the slides. However, as for print document (book) that usually present in A4 size are packed with words and only pictures are available as add on, layout are very important. A good and reader friendly print document must be well organize to prevent reader from any irritating inconvenience.

Screen Design (Power Point Slide)

Screen Design (Full Screen Power Point Slide)

Print Document Design (Book)

Second is the navigation. According to Jakob Nielsen (1999) moving around is what the Web is all about. Screen design often have links for user to access from one-to-another for further information. Moving to another link is just one click away. However, for print document design the only navigation moves are the page turning through table of content and glossary.

Screen Design (Power Point Slide: Hyperlink)

Print Document Design (Book: Table of Content)

Third is the difference of font size. Font size that usually used on power point slide are between size 24 to 36. However for books, font size are usually size 10 to 14. This is due to the readability in screen design and the print document design are different. Small font size in power point slides will have difficulty to read. On the other hand, huge font size in book will be a waste of space.