Asking why you should consider layout in bids is like asking why you should look presentable in an interview. Layout has the most important function of a bid, and that is to get it read. It makes both a first impression and a lasting one.
As it is an unwritten code, there is no single agreed format. However, if we are to use written codes as an example; say you’re writing a film script, the rules are clear: it must be in 12pt Courier font and follow margin spacing and dialogue spacing conventions. Otherwise, the producer will not make it past the first page.
Considerations for formatting:
Kerning
Leading
Style guides
Tables and graphics
Typography
Hierarchy
Margins, and
White space.
There is a science to it. The best chess players are able to memorise previous games by recognising patterns featuring all of the active pieces. If they follow a random sequence they cannot. People interpret information in clusters:
We easily digest information if it’s brief
We can highlight important information with bullets, and
Spaces make information inviting so not to overwhelm.
If something does not follow an acceptable pattern, our minds cannot comprehend it. It becomes frustrating to continue. So, there must be consistency. The writing itself differs, as unlike formatting, it is idiosyncratic. Each writer has their own style, and depending on the day of the week, the content will take a different form. Content really has no rules so long as it answers the question.
That’s why we should focus on what has rules and what we can control. Whether you are designing your own document or responding within a template, make sure to format to avoid your tender being discarded.
