4. Design for Clarity

You’re reading an excerpt of Great Founders Write, by Ben Putano, writer, entrepreneur, and book publisher. He’s the founder of Damn Gravity Media, a publishing house that inspires and educates tomorrow’s great founders. Purchase now for lifetime access to the book and on-demand video course.

Chris Do’s biggest pet peeve when critiquing design: Legibility!

Amateur designers often sacrifice readability for style. This type of design serves no one but the designer. “Legibility should supersede every other consideration,” said Chris.

For writers, this obviously means to avoid illegible fonts. But it’s also a reminder to prioritize clarity over style. And as we’ve seen, clarity is more than the words you choose—it’s about giving your reader a clear direction through good design. Never assume your words will be read, even when writing to a captive audience like your employees. Your reader’s attention is always earned.

Design your writing to be clear, interesting, and easy to read. Then watch your impact and influence soar.