We invite you to contribute in any of the following areas:

  • Original research. Articles that cross disciplinary boundaries as they focus on effective and efficient methods of designing and communicating information.
  • Experience reports. Reports presenting project- or workplace-focused summaries of important technologies, techniques, methods, pedagogies, or product processes.
  • Book reviews. Short reviews of books you think may be of interest to the communication design field. Please query ahead of time before sending.

All submissions except book reviews are peer-reviewed. Book reviews are reviewed by the Book Review Editor.

Special Issues of CDQ

We are also interested in proposals for guest editing special issues. As a guest editor, you would be responsible for providing three to five peer reviewed articles on a specific topic along with an article-length introduction to the issue’s topic. You may propose special issue individually, or as a group. Your proposal should demonstrate expertise on the topic being proposed, and demonstrate the topic’s current interest to members of the design community. Each proposal should include a résumé/CV for proposed guest editors and a draft call for submissions. Guest editors are responsible for publicizing calls for papers, recruiting subject matter experts as peer reviewers, coordinating double blind peer reviews, corresponding with authors and reviewers, editing final drafts, and submitting final drafts and any necessary forms to the CDQ editor.

CDQ Manuscript Submission Guidelines

Format all manuscripts for publication consideration according to the following guidelines:

Abstract: 100 words
Keywords: 3 – 5 words that will help readers locate your article
Length: 6,000 to 8,000 words (not including “References” or Appendices); individuals can submit
slightly longer or slightly shorter manuscripts, but they should contact the CDQ editor
before submitting such slightly longer or slightly shorter entries
Margins: 1” margins on all sides
Font: 11 or 12 pt. Times New Roman
Spacing: Single spaced; do not use tabs to indicate a new paragraph; instead, use a blank line between paragraphs
Pagination: Provide a page number in the upper, right-hand corner of all pages – e.g., pg. 2
Citation Style: American Psychological Association (APA) – for examples of APA citation style, see Cornell University Library’s APA Citation Style page online at https://www.library.cornell.edu/research/citation/apa
Headings: Primary-level headings = Centered, bold text with initial capitals
e.g., Example Primary-Level Heading
Secondary-level headings = Left-aligned, bold with initial capitals
e.g., Example Secondary-Level Heading
Tertiary-level headings = Left-aligned, italics with initial capitals on first word of
heading only
e.g., Example tertiary-level heading
Visuals:
  • Integrate visual elements into the pages/text of the related manuscript for initial review. (Authors of manuscripts accepted for publication will submit image files separately for layout, and receive additional formatting guidelines for visuals upon notice of acceptance.)
  • Identify all visual elements (e.g., tables, graphs, charts, and figures) via
    a corresponding, descriptive label (e.g., Table 1, Figure 1, etc.)
  • Provide a corresponding descriptive caption for each visual element and format
    captions as follows:
    e.g., Table 1: Sample Table Entry
  • Provide a corresponding in-text reference for each visual element and format as
    follows:
    e.g., The researchers collected extensive data on this topic (see Table 1).
  • For any visual elements that are not the author’s own creation, the author must
    • Have the express, written permission of the related copyright holder to include the visual element in the manuscript at the time the manuscript is submitted for initial publication consideration
    • Provide a corresponding citation or reference noting the origin of the visual element
      e.g., Figure 1: Example Interface for Reference (Smith, 2014)
Accessibility:
  • Provide descriptive alternative text for each image
  • Provide tables as marked-up text, and not as images
  • Provide automated lists, and not manual lists
  • Use “styles” in Microsoft Word to make your manuscript more accessible
  • Check accessibility of Word documents before submission using “Check Accessibility” tool

Sample Review Guidelines

Sample Review Guidelines in PDF format

Submitted manuscripts will be reviewed against the attached set of guidelines by two reviewers chosen by the Editor based on how potential reviewer’s expertise relate to the submitted work’s area of focus. Reviews are blinded, and anonymized review comments are shared with both the submitting author and the other reviewers, as it proves valuable to us all to see how we respond to each other’s work.

For more information or submissions of articles, reports, or research results, contact Derek G. Ross (derek.ross@auburn.edu).

For queries about book reviews, please contact Erika Sparby (emsparb@ilstu.edu).