Writing Skills and Better Visual Design
http://www.experiencethread.com/articles/intel_artcl.cfm?article=34

Knemeyer, Dirk
Thread Information Design
2003

Abstract:

Strong visual design is about balance. It requires an appropriate relationship between written content, information hierarchy and the use of visual elements such as graphics and photography. While most visual designers will tacitly acknowledge this, the preponderance of visual design artifacts shows a bias toward either the words or the visual elements, and too often does not reflect strong information hierarchy. These all-too-frequent examples of spotty visual design belie personal comfort levels and experience.