This artifact showcases my redesign of a chapter from an Animal Control Officer (ACO) Training Manual, focusing on applying professional formatting and design principles using Microsoft Word. While the project predates my Adobe InDesign experience, it demonstrates advanced proficiency in leveraging Word as a design tool for creating effective technical documentation.
Background
The goals of the project included:
- Revising a chapter of the ACO Training Manual to improve usability and reader comprehension.
- Enhancing the document’s visual hierarchy and accessibility.
- Applying modular design principles to structure the chapter for clarity.
The deliverable was a redesigned chapter formatted and styled in Microsoft Word.
Objectives
The primary objectives of this project were:
- Apply modular design to create independent sections within the manual.
- Improve visual hierarchy to guide readers through the content.
- Use various presentation methods, including text boxes, bullet lists, and tables, to enhance usability.
- Ensure consistency and professional design throughout the chapter.
Outcome
The project achieved the following results:
- A professional and visually appealing redesign of the chapter.
- Enhanced modularity and usability through clear organization.
- Improved visual hierarchy using Word’s design tools.
- Consistent formatting for headers, text, and graphics, improving reader navigation.
Approach
This project was part of my Technical Procedures and Manuals class. The process began with an analysis of the original chapter to identify areas for improvement. Key issues included weak visual hierarchy, inconsistent formatting, and a lack of clear organization. Using Word, I created a design template incorporating headers, footers, and style guides to ensure consistency across all sections.
The redesigned chapter was structured using modular design principles, breaking the content into independent sections with clear headings and transitions. Visual elements such as text boxes, sidebars, and tables were added to present information concisely. Bullet lists and numbered steps were used to organize procedural instructions, while narrative sections provided context where needed.
Final Deliverable
The final deliverable was a PDF export of the redesigned chapter, optimized for both online and print.
