Using features of different software packages

Using features of different software packages:

LETTERS:

• Word-processing software
• Mail merge - if you want to produce lots of individualised letters to different people
• Templates - do not need to worry about structure of the letter each time
• Alignment/justification - used to position items
• Spelling and grammar - to check work
• Paragraphs and indentation - to block certain text

MEMOS:

• used to solve problems, simple design, word-processing, can solve problems by informing the reader about new information such as release of new product
• Templates
• Bullet points/lists - help list the items that need to be brought to people's attention

ESSAYS:

• Spelling and grammar
• Paragraphs and indentation
• Headers and footers - title, author, date, page number and other information that can be added automatically on each page
• Word count - so do not go over the word limit
• Line spacing - tutor may ask for double spacing so have room to mark work and write in comments

REPORTS:

• Feedback from a 'finding out' exercise
• Page breaks - so headings are not at the bottom of a page
• Headings and subheadings - so report is structured and information can easily be found on the page
• Bullets - list of important points
• Spellchecking and grammar checking

POSTERS:

• Simple posters created using word-processing but features of DTP make it better for more complex and interesting designs
• Grouping/layering - to manipulate images on the page
• Columns - to position content on the page
• Inserting images - these can be created in other packages such as graphics packages

LEAFLETS AND FLYERS:

• word-processing software but better in STP as there are templates that you can use for leaflets that are folded in a variety of ways
• Inserting images
• Spellchecking and grammar checking
• Templates - specifically for leaflets
• Columns - allow the text to flow from one column into another

BROCHURES, CATALOGUES AND MAGAZINES:

• DTP software essential as has a greater number of features that can be used for page layout
• Columns
• Inserting images
• Spellchecking and grammar checking
• Templates - make sure design is consistent from one page to the next

BUSINESS CARDS:

• DTP due to many templates which will save time
• word-processing, once design has been sorted, variable information on the cards can be printed on each card using mail merge

WEBPAGES:

• web design software

Presentation software:

Colour schemes:

• can create own colour scheme for background, bullets, diagrams
• easier to choose one already created

Layouts:

• designs of the items such as text and graphics on the slide

Insert slide

Enter and edit slide content

Navigation:

• to make the presentation interactive
• Hyperlinks: icon, graphic, word that when clicked with the mouse opens another slide or webpage

• Hotspots: can create images that contain links, images containing links called graphical hyperlinks, create own buttons and turn them into hotspots
• Buttons: action buttons, can be added to slides to help a user navigate the slides
• Slide transitions and timings: movement from one slide to another, can make the presentation more interesting by altering the way the slide appears on the screen, alter the speed at which the slide appears, get the computer to make a sound during the transition, can alter timings so if self running the audience have time to read the slide properly

Video and sound:

• main ways of obtaining videos for use is by creating the video yourself using a digital video recorder or by using video created by someone else
• YouTube huge source of video and it is possible to link these sites from websites and presentations

Sound effects:

• liven up a multimedia product

Animation:

• involves getting some of the content that makes up the slides to move
• simplest way is by including animation provided by the presentation software, allows you to select certain animations for the way the material, such as headings and bullet points is added to a slide
• animation is classified as subtle, moderate, exciting

Print handouts:

• given to an audience by a speaker it is usual for the speaker to give out handouts of the slides to the audience
• enables them to take notes and refer to the material in the future
• can have 1,2,3,4,6,9 slides on each page

Multimedia presentations

• Multimedia: making use of many media such as text, image, sound, animation and video