So what do you like in layouts for games? I'm doing a simple one for a playtest because it is hard for me to parse plain text on screen. Should I go with simple two column? Try for landscape four column? Just leave it plain text?

I think a layout should first be clear, readable, and easy on the eyes.

Then, it can become fancy with little doodles here and there, text wrapped around images and so on.

Not the reverse.

So my advice would be to go with a simple two column layout at first, and experiment from there.

I agree with Benoist.

And I prefer 2 column layouts for portrait layouts, but in general I prefer landscape layouts (for RPG PDF works) set in 3 columns, etc.

I did the layout (and art and cartography) for a few free PDF products back in 2003-ish and I always did them in 2 columns so yea, I prefer it that way still.

White freaking space. Balance.

Seanchai

You really don't want my advice on layout. Trust me.

-clash

Set some deep margins to give lots of white space. Judge number of columns by width -- basically don't have any column wider than about 5 inches (varies by font size though). That means for 6x9, 1 column is good; US Letter needs two columns or a huge font. US Letter Landscape can work with two columns but I'd go to three or have a quite wide gutter between the two.

Pick a real font. Seriously.

Lay out a grid before you start anything so that you consistently place elements as you go. I'm not talking about a 8-per-inch graph paper style grid here. I'm talking about laying down the rules for your layout by dragging guidelines out on your master page, and then snapping to those. At least mark the horizontal middle and vertical middle and mark the the deepest you want to intrude on the text from the paper edge and (different!) from the spine. If you use that grid, the consistency alone will make you look awesome.

If you are constrained to a smaller font than you prefer for some reason, increase the leading a little. Don't set big blocks of text in a sans-serif font. Use a good font (did I say that already? enough?).

What constitutes a "good" and "real" font? Even better, what are the examples you would choose?

This is relevant to me too, currently.

Quote from: paris80;317547What constitutes a "good" and "real" font? Even better, what are the examples you would choose?

This is relevant to me too, currently.

A "good" font is one designed for being read when assembled in a block of text. I guess it should be successful at that too. Helps if it's also good-looking and, maybe more importantly, consistent with your source material.

A "real" font is a font made by a foundry or a very talented amateur. Almost no free fonts qualify. Real fonts have a wide variety of options that make typesetting a joy -- all special characters, designed small caps, maybe even text figures.

Examples? Hrm.

Traditional, easy to read, and suitable for a broad range of texts: Caslon, Didot, Minion, Palatino, Baskerville, Hoefler.

For my own sf work, I like Optima (the titling font for TRAVELLER!) for the body text. If you are setting really narrow columns, you can get away with a nice sans-serif like Gill, Futura, or Helvetica (for you traditionalists) but generally save the sans for titles or headers.

For reference, my current work is being set in 9pt Optima in a single column about four inches wide with about 130% leading. For fiction blurbs I use Palatino Italic at 9pt with tight leading (110% I think). For titling I use Helvetica Neue in a couple of different sizes.

Thank you, that's quite informative. I've been experimenting with Caslon and Minion, as a matter of fact. Also, some versions of Garamond. It's been rather confusing, what with my total lack of training or background in this field. It might be best that I read a book on it, or do a course. Anyway, that's quite enough threadjacking, I'm sure.

Quote from: paris80;317552Thank you, that's quite informative. I've been experimenting with Caslon and Minion, as a matter of fact. Also, some versions of Garamond. It's been rather confusing, what with my total lack of training or background in this field. It might be best that I read a book on it, or do a course. Anyway, that's quite enough threadjacking, I'm sure.

Elements of Typographic Style, by Robert Bringhurst is smart, informative, and beautiful. It's a joy to read and you will visit it over and over.