The Squint Test

Here’s a handy little test to make sure your reader is seeing and reading your pages as you intended.
 
When you’ve finished writing and formatting your document, and believe you’re ready to send, post, handout, or otherwise spread your print or electronic word, do one last thing: Squint.
 
 
Here’s what I mean
Lay the printed page on your desk, or better still, put it on the floor. Then stand up and look at it. Can you still read the words on the page? I don’t want you to be distracted by the meaning of the words for this exercise. This is strictly about how the visuals help (or hinder) your reader navigate your document.
 
So, squint — so that you see the text on the page more as chunks of pattern and color than as readable text.
 
Now ask yourself a few key questions

• Where on the page do my eyes want go first? Second? Third?
  Is that the path I want my readers to take as they go through my document?
• What text is darkest and most prominent; what text is light and begins to disappear?
  In essence: what shouts, and what whispers?
  Is that what I intend to stand out (or recede) in my message?
• Is there a strong visual element that keeps drawing my eye (e.g.: bold color, compelling shape), and does it give me an informational payoff by bringing my eye to key content?
  Is my strong visual element serving my content or distracting from it?

Then
If the answers to any of these questions about your intention is “no,” use size, weight (light, regular, bold, etc.), color, and placement to adjust the text until those answers are “yes.”
 
This one final step has served me well for many years. You’ll find that making these final tweaks helps your reader better navigate your information and absorb you message.