Three discussion papers about the Open University's correspondence texts consider (1) the role of a transformer, i.e., any person working in communication media who is responsible for the effectiveness of his/her decisions; (2) factors involved in the design of Open University texts, including their use as a resource for a range of different purposes by readers with different needs and backgrounds, and the need for editors and designers of texts to recognize selectivity as a valid strategy for effective reading; and (3) various purposes and constraints for the use of second-color printing, including research on the role of color in improving attention to and recall of instructional materials, and some essential uses, secondary uses, and technical problems of second-color printing. A brief bibliography is provided for each paper. (CHC)