| As most layout editors and designers are quick to | | | | items at the end of a given article, manuscript, or |
| tell you, striking an harmonious balance between | | | | spread. Such placement can reduce valuable |
| text and graphics is no simple task. An ill-placed | | | | sidebar and graphical content to mere "filler" |
| sidebar or text box can disrupt the flow of a | | | | status in the reader's mind. It is important, |
| page or even an entire article. So where should | | | | Johanek tells us, to place content within the story, |
| design items appear on a page? What should | | | | preferably as close to the pertinent text as |
| designers avoid when placing text boxes, graphs, | | | | possible. |
| and sidebars? | | | | Also, add some graphical relief to your sidebars |
| Design consultant John Johanek tells us to "avoid | | | | with charts, photos, etc. Sidebars that are simply |
| creating visual hurdles for the reader". In other | | | | large blocks of text can be visually intimidating to |
| words, don't insert design items in places that will | | | | readers. However, take care not to overwhelm |
| break the reader's concentration. Often, it is | | | | them with oversized images, either. |
| instinctive to place these items, particularly graphs, | | | | The most important thing to remember is that |
| in the center of a page, surrounded by white | | | | your text is the main event; all graphics should be |
| space. Not a good idea, says Johanek. A better | | | | supplementary in nature. While you want your |
| course of action would be to keep graphics and | | | | design items to "pop", you do not want to do this |
| sidebars in the margins, or embedded in the text | | | | at the expense of your story. Experiment with |
| in such a way that the text envelops it. Too | | | | style, photos, color, etc., but do so in such a |
| much white space creates a "visual hurdle" that | | | | manner that will stimulate, not distract, your |
| may distract the reader. | | | | readers. |
| Johanek also warns designers not to place design | | | | |