Too often in the design world people get their widths and heights mixed up. I believe we were all trained that a proper measurement is width times height, but I’m finding that is not always the case. Some of us think correctly, but when the job specs our written down on paper or typed in a email things get a little messed up. For example, a client will send over specs to you for a direct mail piece they wish for you to design "right away." The conversation will go something like this... “I need a oversized postcard created for our next event, the size is 6x11.” Well, I pretty sure with that dimension they just gave me is not requesting a portrait postcard that is 6 inches wide and 11 inches tall (height). In most cases they are meaning 11 inches wide and 6 inches in height for a more traditional postcard look and feel.

When the office copier runs out of paper, how often do you hear someone yell out “where is the 11 x 8.5 copier paper?” Almost always you are going to most likely hear “where is the 8.5x11 paper for the copier?”

I pretty sure we were all taught this simple idea either on a elementary school chalkboard, in early math class textbooks or perhaps an early Sesame Street episode. “width” is always mentioned first then the “height.”

So a "11x6" postcard compared to a "6x11" postcard are two completely different designs. A "8.5x11" sell sheet or a "11x8.5" flyer, "18x24" poster compared to a "24x18" poster and the list goes on and on. All of these above dimensions clearly indicated to the designer how the piece should display horizontally or vertically. Less assumptions for the designer and less embarrassment and misunderstanding by the client, if we all just follow this simple rule: Width times Height.