Designing Publications for Digital Platforms

Before you hit upload and start sharing a digital edition with your audience, here are 5 things based on our customers feedback that you should consider when creating your content, including brochures, magazines, fliers, catalogs, textbooks…

• Mindset. When using mobile devices, for example, the mindset of a user is different from when he or she is sitting in front of a desktop or laptop. Quick access to desired information is more important than interactivity or relaxed entertainment. The nature of the device – a small screen, typically with touch capabilities – forms a natural frame around what content is useful and how to best present it.

• Screen size. Obviously, the screen size of any device dictates how information can be presented in the best way. Digital delivery needs to take into account the entire array from 40-inch desktop displays to 3-inch smartphone screens. Increase image and font size, clean up pages. Considering the screen size (e.g. 3 inches for a smartphone screen) try to increase the font size to at least 14pts. Also, let the pages breathe. Clean them up, less is more.

• Rich media and interactivity. When you add video to your content, the time spent with your brand by your audience will double. Best practice is to add 1-2 multimedia elements (sounds, video, flash) per page. Links to internal and external pages can also be included. Design keeping in mind that you’ll be integrating those elements (insert buttons boxes for links, rectangles for videos, etc).

• Navigation. When it comes to mobile devices, touch- or button-navigation has a huge impact on how digital content is and can be consumed on smartphones. However, users will still have a natural page-flipping reading experience.

• Educate readers. We’re all on the same boat. Not only publishers and content creators are learning how to communicate their message on these new platforms. Readers must also me educated on how to take advantage of the different tools – including navigation options (zoom, text-only mode, gestures) and enhancements. Proemags Mobile Enhanced ‘welcome pop-up screen’ is great to give users a bit of orientation before the dive into the digital edition.