My three points plus one question

1. From The Elements... I found the info concerning abstracting display type useful. If font, spacing, background, or contrast choices are poorly utilized, then the reader will likely not pay special attention to the abstracted selection, rather they will quickly rush through it. I relate this to our main discussion points last week concerning effective/ineffective use of quantitative data and graphics.

2. In the last chapter of The Elements... White emphasizes the importance of changing the default settings of programs such as Microsoft Word. Adjusting some of these default settings can help a designer to create a uniquely readable piece, and as the author states in the very last paragraph, "create a successful page".

3. The American document design standard with its emphasis on using visuals for explanation and clarity usually do not transfer well to foreign audiences in the East. Japanese audiences prefer visuals that decorate or indirectly relate to the rest of the document. This seems ironic to me; American culture is often categorized as flashy, while Japanese are traditionally considered minimalistic. (Maitra & Goswani)

Questions: How can an American trained graphic designer expect to be successfully translated into Japanese without employing an additional Japanese designer to substantially revise the work for the new audience? Also, do sources such as The Elements... only provide knowledge that is useful to effectively engage an American audience?