You have probably come across one or more of the following:

Forms that must have been designed by morons. Lines for some items are too short, while ample space is wasted elsewhere. Some lines are so narrow that typing becomes a hit-and-miss experience. The questions are confusing.

Nametags written in a letter size that makes reading from a normal conversation distance impossible.

Tickets, issued for different events, meals or drinks, that are so similar that you confuse them.

Signs, supposed to direct you to buses waiting at the airport, that can not be found.

Of course, at your meeting, it will be different. You will personally supervise the design of forms, tags, tickets, signs and stickers.

Forms

General layout

Some common-sense rules for the design of forms:

Rule # 1: Keep the requested information to an ‘optimal minimum.’ In modern societies, people are overexposed to requests for information. Many have become allergic to this harassment and no longer concentrate when faced with numerous questions, no matter what the purpose of the form. This could become your problem. For instance, when a single missing digit of a credit card number requires expensive overseas calls.

Rule # 2: Ask simple, clear questions.

Rule # 3: Give unambiguous instructions.

As discussed in Section 18.1.2, this is particularly important for international meetings when writing dates, amounts in foreign currencies, telephone numbers and personal names.

Rule # 4: Use a system that double-checks all calculations. Whenever there is the slightest chance of confusion, set up forms so that numbers (days, amounts of money, etc.) are checked horizontally and vertically (see Appendix P).