What is CARP?

It's an easy-to-remember way to make everything you do look great!

 

Contrast 

Make things that are supposed to be different really different! Look at the Contrast heading compared to these two lines of text. Contrast can be of size, color, weight, typeface, and more. The main purpose of contrast is to draw the eye to the things on the page that matter most.

Alignment

Align text on the left or right (rarely centered). These four sections are left-aligned, and they also line up with each other.  Left or right aligned text looks cleaner, and is easier to read. Try to make every element on a page line up with something else.

Repetition

Repeating elements unify a design and establish rhythm. The formatting of these four sections is repeated over and over. Repetition uses patterns to create a cohesive theme and establish order.

Proximity

Things that go together logically should be grouped together visually. These explanations follow each heading closely, with space before the next one. Other ways to group things use boxes, bullets, shading, etc., but there is always space between the groups.

Your turn! 

Can you find all the ways that Contrast, Alignment, Repetition, and Proximity were used?

What makes a good blog post?

As your e-Comm teachers have gotten used to blogging and having students blog, we've also been analyzing, discussing and refining what we think are the elements of a good blog post.

Tips from the blogosphere

This is not new ground, of course. Over in the right sidebar, you'll find links to sites that have specific tips for blogging. So far, they are:

• The Ultimate Guide to Starting a Design Blog
• 25 Blogging Tips for Newbies and Veterans
• The Ultimate Blogger Writing Guide

Let us know when you happen upon more helpful sites that we should list!

e-Communication's big three

Your e-Comm teachers have decided to evaluate your blog posts on three main things. We'll also be teaching each of these things more intentionally next semester:

• Content
• Writing Style (Voice)
• Presentation

Content:

This will vary, depending on the type of blog post you are doing -- from blogging about a current event to describing the process behind one of your projects. You will be informed of the expectations for each, as they come up. For example, if your blog post was about one of your projects, your content should successfully communicate the extent of the project, how it was done, what was learned, reflection and conclusions. You should also make links to relevant sites, and include graphics and video where appropriate.  If you don't have meaningful content, there's no point in anyone reading what you have to say!

Writing Style (voice):

Grammar and spelling matter. (Blogger has a spell-checker!) Use appropriate vocabulary (jargon or industry terminology appropriate to your focus area). Some of our posts in e-Comm will be rather technical. Others will be more abstract. So, the tone you take in your posts may depend a little on the nature of the content, and also on the preferences of your current teachers. But, by and large, your post should not read like a classroom assignment. Speak to your audience as a budding “creative” sharing your experience. “Blogging style” is a balance between conversational and professional. It isn't strict technical writing or research paper writing -- but, it isn't as casual as writing a letter to a friend. It's professional, yet engaging and personal enough to draw your reader in. 

Presentation:

Presentation is how your blog post looks. Use headings and sub-headings. Write your ideas in concise paragraphs, and include multi-media and links as evidence, appropriately placed and formatted. The typeface, size, and color of text should combine to make your text easy to read. Remember the design principles of CARP -- Contrast, Alignment, Repetition, Proximity (grouping). A great presentation is not only attractive -- it also makes your content easier to read and understand.

Content + Writing Style + Presentation

When you convey good content in an effective writing style and a well-designed presentation, you've created the perfect storm - a combustible mixture of elements that elevate your blogging to a new level. Your posts will earn higher grades, but much more importantly, your followers will want to read what you have to say, and you'll be honing those communication skills that will serve you well in your future endeavors!