WSP | Visualization and Data Intelligence Services

VISUALIZATION AND DATA INTELLIGENCE

VDI Large Document Work  ow v2-2022-11-04

Graphics are Reviewed and Approved by Author Layout Sample Reviewed and Approved by Client

Document Framework Created in InDesign Graphics are Identi  ed & Created in Illustrator Document Accessibility Designed into Layout

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Design Track

Document Planning with Client

Creation of Author’s Guide and Word Template

Accessibility Planning

Cover/Dividers and Layout Designed

Final Text and Existing Graphics Approved for Layout

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Creation & Editing

Planning

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Author Track

Intro to Process, Author Word Template & Author Guide Training

Authors Create Text in Word

Text is Reviewed and Revised by Authors/Client

Finalized Text is Edited by Technical Editor

Text is Approved as Final by Client

Layout & Design Opportunities Review of the Text Content by Design Team Creation of Additional Graphics & Structure Based on Opportunities

Identi  cation of Additional Graphics Needed by Authors

ITERATIVE DESIGN LOOP

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Author Track

Creation of Additional Author-de  ned Graphics

List of Revisions Collected

Draft is Reviewed by Author/Client

Final Draft Approval by Authors/Client

Final Delivery to Client

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Delivery

Revision

Accessibility Review (if Req’d)

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Design Track

Layout of Text and Graphics Content

Preparation of Final Deliverables

Accessibility Remediation (if Req’d)

Draft Reviewed by Design Team

QA/QC Review and Final Draft

Revision Based on Team Reviews

Delivery of Complete Draft

QA/QC and Revision of Draft

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REVISION LOOP

P Overcoming Document Development Pain Points 1. A document planning kickoff meeting with the design team will help focus the process and the efforts of the author team on the speci  c needs of the deliverable. 2. Ensuring that the authors understand and use the Word Template and Author’s Guide when developing their content will speed the import and layout of document content. 3. Approval and sign-off on  nal text and graphic content before the design team begins the layout process will minimize more costly iterative changes during layout and design. PRE-PLANNING FOR SUCCESS — VDI large document designers deliver both exceptional graphic design and effective document development consultation. By involving VDI’s designers early in the document planning process we can guide your team through the five primary document development steps. PROCESS AND COLLABORATION — Our planning and collaboration tools help us organize and track the simultaneous efforts required of the design and author teams, ensuring that deadlines are understood and schedules are maintained. — VDI designers regularly work together with VDI technical editors, employing well-tested methods for accelerating document development. Our process maximizes time for authors and subject matter experts to develop their content while allowing our team to maintain editorial and design consistency.

4. Designing iteratively, or keeping the document layout up-to-date while the content is still being developed, is one of the most expensive and time-consuming ways to create a document. When designing iteratively, the design team must constantly repeat steps to ensure a consistent  nal product. Designing iteratively also creates opportunities for errors to occur as text is edited and content is incrementally changed. 5. Ensuring that all reviewers have commented and all questions/comments resolved before editing the document is the most cost effective way to revise the content and minimize errors.

6. Repeated rounds of revision are costly and can introduce errors or missed changes. Repeated rounds of revision can also introduce version control issues. 7. While some accessibility remediation is built into the design of the document,  nal remediation must be done in the PDF deliverable itself. Changes to the document after remediation will require re-remediating the new PDF. Waiting to remediate the document until a  nal PDF is approved is the most cost-effective and ef  cient process.

STRATEGIES + TOOLS — Accessible-compliant writing templates — Author’s check list — Author’s guide — Brand style guide — Cloud-based revision and comment — Content author accessibility training — Glossary and Index compilation — Graphics and chapter status tracking — InDesign WordsFlow process — Multi-party commenting process

— Technical editing — Versioning control — WordsFlow plugin

PAUL BONAVENTURA Multimedia + Design Group Lead 303.985.6603 | Paul.Bonaventura@wsp.com

BECKY HOLZWARTH Lead Graphic Designer 303.244.8225 | Rebecca.Holzwarth@wsp.com

Sept. 2024