For a job or project to be successful, it is not enough that it is good. It also has to have an appearance to match. The image is still very important. In the case of Become, a creative cover can make the difference, the element that makes us stand out above the rest. That is why it is so important Learn how to make covers in Word.
In this post we are going to reveal some of the keys to designing creative covers for our Word works. Recommendations and examples of how to stand out using the cover templates offered by the program itself as a base. All it takes is a bit of good taste and creativity.
The importance of the cover
That old phrase "judge the book by its cover" holds, for better or worse, a lot of truth. The cover is the first thing we see in a Word document designed to be presented or sent to someone: an academic paper, a professional report, etc. Its design must be striking, but also informative and appropriate to the essence of the document.
A good cover provides a plus of quality to the document so that it stands out. Obviously, the content has to be good, whether it's a school project we send to our teacher or an expense report for our boss. But a serious and professional look conveyed from the cover itself can help a lot.
Basic elements to make covers in Word
What should a Word cover include to be effective? Do I need to include images? What font is better to use? There are many questions that arise when making a cover for a Word document. here are some basic guidelines that will help us:
Title and subtitle
El title It is essential, as it announces the content of the document. Must be concise and understandable. It is better to avoid long and convoluted titles that confuse rather than clarify. He subtitle, although optional (many times it is unnecessary to include it), it can be useful to specify more or expand the information of the title. In any case, it must be smaller than the title.
Image
The choice of a good image or ornamental motif is key to achieving the visual impact of the cover we are looking for. It is also a delicate matter, because a poorly chosen image can cause the opposite effect, that is, the rejection of the person who is going to receive the document and who, probably, will have to value it. If we are not clear, it is better to do without the image.
Date, author and other information
Depending on the nature of the document in question, it may be important to include the date on which it was prepared or presented. And also the name of the author, especially in academic works. In the same way, it may be convenient to include the name of the person, body or organization to which the document is being sent.
Guidelines for creating a good Word cover
Microsoft's own word processor program is in charge of giving us the necessary tools so that we can design the cover for our documents ourselves. All you have to do is follow the guidelines and recommendations below and add your own style and stamp to the details:
Choose cover format
Image: Microsoft
Whether we open a new document from scratch or if we want to add a cover to an existing document, the first step is always the same: go to the tab "Page design" and once there select the option "Margins". You can opt for a personalized configuration of margins to our measure or choose between the default configurations of Word.
Create a color palette
If our knowledge about design and aesthetics is limited, Word makes it easy for us to choose the perfect color configuration for our cover. The possibility of create our own color palette and use it very easily.
There are web pages specifically created for this purpose, such as Coolors. Not only will we find proposals that do not serve as inspiration, but we will also be able to create our designs and transfer them to Word by copying the RGB code.
A tip: for the cover of an academic paper, it is always wiser to opt for discreet colors. On the other hand, for a commercial proposal it is more advisable to risk and look for a strong visual impact.
Add a background or image
Very easy: just go to the “Design” tab and select the “Page Color” option. But if we want the background to be an image, then we go to the “Insert” tab and select “Pictures”, which will open the File Explorer. This will help us choose the image, which obviously we must have previously downloaded.
Look at the small box in the upper right corner of the image. Clicking on it displays a small panel called "Design Options". You have to use the square option to be able to move the image on the cover and adapt its size.
Text and font
To put the title to our cover, we have to go to the “Insert” tab and create a text box in which we will write it. There are several options to consider: that the text is transparent or that it has an opaque background, that it has an outline or not... And of course, the type, color and size of the font.
To get inspired in this step, be sure to take a look at our post dedicated to how to download and install google fonts for windows.
Tip: It's best to avoid uploading images with text to serve as titles, as you risk blurring or distorting them. I mean illegible.
Final touches
The final step. This is where the creativity of each user comes into play. The options are numerous: use a transparent background, add objects and shapes, add secondary images, etc. all that can serve to round off the appearance of our cover as we had imagined it.
Above all, don't be discouraged. Designing the perfect cover requires time and effort, but this dedication is worth it if we finally achieve the desired result: a cover that matches the document at the top.