IBM Forms Design Manual

[hanc...@bbs.cpcn.com]

bitsavers has an excellent IBM manual on Forms Design:
http://bitsavers.informatik.uni-stuttgart.de/pdf/ibm/generalInfo/C20-8078_Form_and_Card_Design_1961.pdf

Some of the tips and suggestions for good design are very applicable
to today, and I think some web and report designers could use some
training into the basics as this manual covers. While we don't use
punch cards, we still have input source documents and screens.

From the manual:
To insure efficient processing, cards and forms should
be designed specifically for the application in which
they are to be used. In doing this, it is necessary to:
• Know thoroughly the procedure and the machines
to be used.
• Understand the reports to be prepared and know
the use to which each will be put.
• Know the· rules of good card and form design.
The application of these must be accompanied by ingenuity,
common sense and experience.
This manual is divided into two sections - the first
devoted to form design and the second to card design.
Each is intended to serve as a guide and in no way replaces
the valuable assistance that is available through
your local IBM representative