Space after paragraphs

[Ieva]

Hi, I am a magazine designer. I design monthly business magazine.

Recently my boss decided that he doesn’t like the layout any more so he asked me to change it. He wants me to leave a space after each paragraph. I don’t think that it’s right but because I don’t have much experience jet, I can’t convince him that it’s wrong.

Could somebody who has experience in that kind of thing give me any advice please. Or maybe I am wrong - space after each paragraph is actually not a bad thing at all ? Thanks !

[Toon]

Space after a paragraph sounds better to me. It seperates things a little better

[Ieva]

yes but usualy one paragraph is 2-3 sentences so imagine one article is lets say 2 pages and it might have 20 or more paragraphs.... I think it's okay to leave space after few paragraphs but after each...

[Toon]

You don't have to leave a complete line space you can just add 2pt leading in to define the sections

[strev]

In Indesign & Quark it's best to set these spacings in style sheets & save yourself a lot of time!

[Ieva]

so you think for magazin it's okay ? I've never seen any magazin designed like that :) Some sections can be done this way but all articles... and I agree that leading is better then complete line space

[Ieva]

I do save them in style sheets thank you. it's not about time saving it's about what looks better :)

[strev]

Yes it's ok and typographically correct. A good rule of thumb is 2 points leading above point size. Like toon says you can set the paragraph space to be slightly more that the leading for a visual break. For example 9 pt type with 11 pt leading and a paragraph space of 13. All this depend on your font choice –you may need more space with fonts that have high ascenders & descenders.

[Ieva]

oh good ! I feel better now :) Thank you very much !