Increasing the resolution or data density of documents

Most people read the newspaper, the one that’s printed on paper. The typical newspaper font size is between 8 and 9 points. A typical newspaper compresses a lot of information in a very small space. Large headlines are used to generate interest and the reader can selectively choose what he/she wants to read. Take a look at the game scores in the sports section or the financial information presented in the business section. Again, a lot of density, a lot of information in small spaces.

Yet when we produce business documents, we are compelled to use comically large font sizes to accommodate our audience. If our audience is capable of reading a newspaper, then we should compress more information into fewer pages. At higher density, people see the big picture, the flow, the structure, and can selectively choose what they want to read. They’re also forced to focus their attention on your report and really digest the information presented.

More thoughts and examples on this later.

Published by Daniel Hoang

Daniel Hoang is a visual leader, storyteller, and creative thinker. As an experienced management consultant, he believes in a big picture approach that includes strong project leadership, creative methods, change management, and strategic visioning. He uses a range of visual tools to communicate business challenges, solutions, and goals. His change strategy is to build "tribes" of supporters and evangelists to drive change in culture and organization. Daniel is an avid technologist and futurist and early adopter.