design, writing, media

« July 2007 | Main | September 2007 »

Technical communication and readability

Today's New York Times has a story about the Clearview typeface that is poised to replace Highway Gothic, the standard that has been used on highway signs across the country for more than a half-century:

"looking at a sign in Clearview after reading one in Highway Gothic is like putting on a new pair of reading glasses: there’s a sudden lightness, a noticeable crispness to the letters."

In addition to environmental design issues, the civic and public nature of the work really comes through in this article:

-- “I am just like anybody else who sees a problem with a civic issue and sets out to fix it."
-- “I’ve always thought that design can be a form of social activism.”
-- “For some, a sign is just a utilitarian object. For others, it’s a symbol of connectivity.”

Posted by Professional Communication Arts Editors on August 12, 2007 7:14 AM

Writers' and Designers' Resources

For most writing, editing, and documentation resources, Technical Communicators turn to EServer's Technical Communication Library, STC publications such as Intercom, and Technical Communication Online. At MTU, we also have online access to the ACM Digital Library, which includes Intercom and Communications of the ACM.

Posted by NicL on August 11, 2007 3:24 PM

Periodic Table of Visualization Methods

The Periodic Table of Visualization Methods provides visual representations for a wide range of mapping and diagram types, with examples and classification:


  • simple to complex
  • data/information/concept/strategy/metaphor/compound
  • process/structure
  • detail/overview
  • divergence/convergence

Posted by Professional Communication Arts Editors on August 9, 2007 5:17 AM