Xerox Paris, a document system Support & Software User Guide

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The design of a form is controlled to a certain extent by the content of the data that
is to appear on the form. However, if you keep the following guidelines in mind as
you design a form, you will find that your final outcome is both pleasing and
functional.

Some basic points to remember when designing forms are:

For large blocks of text, serif fonts (such as Times Roman), are easier to
read than sans serif fonts (such as Helvetica).

Sans serif fonts (Arial, Helvetica) work well if used as headlines or titles.

Be consistent with your use of fonts and use only two fonts per page,
usually a serif and a sans serif. (This is, of course, apart from such things as
company titles or logos)

You can vary the size of the font to indicate various differences (such as
headings for sections or levels in the form).

Title Case (Mixed Upper and Lower Case) is easier to read than all UPPER
CASE LETTERS.

Although reading dynamics differ throughout the world, (whether reading
from Left   Right or Right   Left,  when it comes to such things as
statements or accounts that are based on forms, reading dynamics are
usually from the Top Left   Bottom Right. Try to maintain that flow as
you design your form.

Lists of items are easier to read in columns than in rows.

Don’t crowd the page, use white space (blank areas) where possible.

Balance the various elements on the page.

Remember, an attractive form that is uncluttered and easy to read will be better
understood by the reader.