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How Important Are Layout And Design To Your Copy

Compelling images and well-crafted layouts are an essential part to just about every piece of marketing collateral, whether it’s an advertisement or an HTML-formatted email.
And though most writers do not have professional-grade skills when it comes to design and graphics, all good copywriters should have a working understanding of how images can affect copy and how layout can facilitate readership.
While it’s true that art and graphics rarely do the hard selling that copy can achieve in an advertisement, they are very important, especially as initial focal points that can draw readers in. Though your headlines can also serve as an introduction to body copy, it’s usually going to be that carefully selected image that pulls in your audience.
And just like a piece of art or an image will attract readers in the beginning, it’s also important to devise a logical layout that will help keep your audience’s attention and urge them through the text one step at a time.
One of the most traditional print ad layouts was created by David Ogilvy and contains an image at the top of the ad that guides readers toward the bottom of the page. The art gives way to headlines or sub-headers, typically followed by body copy with different column variations. The company contact with logo is found on the bottom right.
While there are many other successful formats, it’s always a good idea to keep Ogilvy’s layout in mind when devising spatial concepts for text.
Another thing to remember is the simple but often ignored notion that words on the page should be easy to read. In fact, the size and shape of text blocks can actually create the same effects as graphics and images. They can either intrigue readers or make them turn the page.
Keep paragraphs short and know the power of white space. If you want your text to be easy to read, also make sure your type is set in black against a white background.
Here are some other design tips that you should keep in mind when crafting an ad or piece of marketing collateral:
– Use images to bring your copy to life, or use copy to further develop the presence of an image.
– Do not use too many images in your piece. Maintain white space.
– Make sure the images you do use are of the highest quality possible. Do not use anything sub par, as this will be a reflection on much more than just the ad.
– Use font size, boldface type, bullets, and asides to emphasize certain concepts and to guide readers through the piece.
– Do not italicize headlines and sub-headers, as this can come across as too much of a sales pitch.
– Varying or using the same format can create different results. Consistency in layout and design can lead to branding potential, while changing formats can serve to keep a reader’s attention as with a PowerPoint presentation.
– Don’t forget that art and copy go hand-in-hand, and when used together, they are more powerful than individual disciplines.

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