Avoiding Desktop Disasters: Why Technical Communication Students should Learn about Mechanical Paste up Techniques

Madelyn Flammia

doi:10.2190/bldx-08k6-34ae-xx1k

Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Jul 1993

Avoiding Desktop Disasters: Why Technical Communication Students should Learn about Mechanical Paste up Techniques

Madelyn Flammia University of Central Florida

Abstract

Today many students learn how to use desktop programs such as PageMaker and Ventura in technical communication courses; however, few of those students are also learning the principles of graphic design underlying the production of mechanicals. The ability to use a desktop publishing program does not necessarily guarantee the ability to produce well-designed and effective documents. In fact, the growing use of desktop publishing software has led to a proliferation of documents that violate all the rules of good design. This article describes a technical publications course in which students gain a better understanding of the principles of design and layout by using mechanical paste up techniques. When required to use mechanical paste up in addition to desktop publishing software, students acquired a more thorough understanding of grids and white space as well as a greater confidence in their abilities to do page design.

Journal: Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published: 1993-07-01
DOI: 10.2190/bldx-08k6-34ae-xx1k
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Topics: technical communication
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Technical Communication Quarterly

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Avoiding Desktop Disasters: Why Technical Communication Students should Learn about Mechanical Paste up Techniques

Abstract

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (0)

References (15) · 1 in this index

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