Once the report text became stable enough to read as a whole, I started thinking more seriously about its presentation.

The assignment brief makes it clear that the content and research are the priority, so I do not want the document design to overpower the academic writing.

At the same time, this is still a Graphic Design Master's submission and the report should feel considered and intentional.

Keeping the Report Readable

My first priority is readability.

The text needs enough space, clear hierarchy and a consistent relationship between headings, body copy, quotations, figures and references.

The report is already discussing complicated ideas, so the layout should reduce rather than increase cognitive load.

Connecting It to the Wider Project

I also want the report to feel connected to the visual language developing within my project without simply copying the Studio Practice document.

The pale blue, cream and restrained technical aesthetic can appear subtly through section pages, image treatment and typography.

This creates continuity across the project while still allowing the Critical Report to function as an academic document.

Using Images Carefully

The brief allows images, but I do not want to add visuals simply to fill pages.

Any figure should help the reader understand something that is difficult to communicate through text alone, such as a system diagram, research process, thematic relationship or relevant precedent.

If an image is only decorative, it probably does not need to be there.

Title Pages and Section Breaks

I have also been developing simple section/title pages for the wider project.

For the report, I want to use this idea more minimally so the reader can move clearly between major chapters without interrupting the flow of the essay.

Contents and Navigation

The contents page and numbered subsections are part of the layout rather than separate from it.

A well-designed report should help the reader understand where they are within the argument.

The layout should make the research easier to follow, not make the report look more designed for its own sake.

What I Still Need to Do

The early submission layout is not the final submission design.

I still need to refine spacing, image placement, page numbers, figure captions and the final relationship between the Critical Report and Studio Practice visual system.

For now, the priority is keeping the document clear enough that feedback can focus on the research and argument.