Document Design is defined as the study and practice of creating functional texts—both visually and verbally—that work for readers. In other words, creating texts that people can actual read and use!

Functional Texts are the work-a-day documents/manuals that instruct and inform us. These types of texts can range from the manuals that show us how to set our alarm clock to the NY Times to advertisements that warn us of drug abuse.

Readers have to interact with each of these texts. Schriver is the premier research authority on how readers react from both well and poorly designed text.