More than skin deep

This is the first issue of Plant Engineering incorporating our new Design 2000 concepts. We think you will find it more readable, comprehensive, and useful than any other magazine you receive.

By Richard L. Dunn

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This is the first issue of Plant Engineering incorporating our new Design 2000 concepts. We think you will find it more readable, comprehensive, and useful than any other magazine you receive.

Most magazine redesigns are essentially face lifts, not much more than efforts to make the presentation more attractive. Some redesigns address the content also. But Design 2000 was developed to actually help you read Plant Engineering -- to help you get more out of it in less time.

Plant Engineering Design 2000 uses a number of important communication techniques. For starters, at the top of the first page of every feature article, we list key terms describing the content, like "How to," "Maintaining," and "Specifying." Also near the beginning of each article is a box of "Key concepts." These provide a brief review of the important points contained in the article. Combine these elements with more descriptive headlines, and you're able to make an informed decision in a matter of seconds as to whether you should read the entire article now, later, or not at all -- or whether you should pass it on.

Design 2000 also takes a number of cues provided by readers. Illustrations, for example, appear on the same page as their text references. Additional sidebars call attention to concerns that were too often hidden in lengthy text. Captions are more explanatory. Major and minor subheads make it easier to quickly read articles.

Then there is the overall organization of each issue. Space devoted to feature articles has been increased, and you'll find more editorial content in each issue than ever before. The first section of the magazine is now devoted to management-type information. The last section comprises our product-oriented news. It's a sequence that will help you easily find the information you're looking for.

We hope you'll like the new Plant Engineering. And while we think you'll find it attractive, the real beauty is below the surface. We invite your comments.