The best layout feature

with…
 Visual Graphics
for Instructional Design

require a few standard

rules
ONTRAST
LIGNMENT
IMPLICITY
ROXIMITY
MPHASIS
EPETITION
CONTRAST
 Visual Graphics for Instructional Design

Color

Image

Typography (font)

CONTRAST
 Visual Graphics for Instructional Design

Color

Image

Typography (font)

[ Distinguish the contrast ]

 Visual Graphics for Instructional Design

contrast hard to see

 Visual Graphics for Instructional Design

contrast
Must be high
contrast to
be easily
seen
Low contrast is for
camouflage
Easiest way
to check high
contrast is if
picture has
clear definition
when in
black & white
This is
grey scale
black & white
This is pure
high contrast
black & white
Low contrast pictures
arenot clear in
black & white
 Constructivism
But sometimes you
multimedia
purposely
animation
want Theories
confusion
Theories of
of
Learning
typography
Information Processing
graphics
Desktop publishing
ALIGNMENT
Text1 Text2
Images

ALIGNMENT
Text1 Text2
Images

[ Arrange in a parallel order ]

 Visual Graphics for Instructional Design

Focus
Graphic Layout Proportion
The focus of the visual stimuli must very clearly reflect and
emphasize its objective

Focus on the page with no one section is heavier

than the other. Or, a designer may intentionally throw elements
out of balance to create tension or a certain mood.
 Visual Graphics for Instructional Design

balance
can be symmetrical
Visual Graphics for Instructional Design

OR
balance
can be asymmetrical
asymmetrical
balance
Graphic Layout Proportion

Center focus alignment

is
most
Powerful

but beware of poor division of

information because it can cause
disruption in reading
Graphic Layout Proportion

Center focus alignment is most

Powerful but beware
of poor division of
Focus
information because it can cause
disruption in
reading

Division of Information
Graphic Layout Proportion

But beware! Center Focus Alignment is

NOT good for multiple layer or long
presentations. Center Focus tends to
imply “self-containment”, thus implying
“the end”. It is most effective when
designing a “one-off” visual, like a
poster. For longer information, if it
must be symmetrical, a better layout
would be the Forced Justify.
Graphic Layout Proportion

However, the Forced

Justify_alignment_is very difficult to
control, as you may
find_funny_gaps_in_between text that
cannot be controlled.
 Visual Graphics
for Instructional Design

best rule to
remember…
SIMPLICITY
SIMPLICITY
 Keep your message simple
•Use text and graphics absolutely necessary to
get your point across.
•Superfluous graphics can interfere with
understanding.
•Overabundance of fonts or colors can distract.

SIMPLICITY
[ Simplify your presentation ]
Visual Graphics for Instructional Design

Simplicity
is the best policy
“Superfluous graphics can interfere with understanding”
Anglin, G., Towers, R., & Levie, H. (1996). Visual message design and learning: The role of
static and dynamic illustrations. In D.H. Jonassen (Ed.), Handbook of Research for Educational
Communications and Technology . New York: Simon and Schuster Macmillan.
Visual Graphics for Instructional Design

Graphics
four functions:
pictures or graphics attract attention to the material or
attention direct attention within the material

pictures enhance enjoyment or affect emotions and

affective attitudes
pictures increase comprehension to improve recollection and
cognitive retention, or to provide information that is not otherwise
available

compensatory helping poor readers by adding pictorial clues to decode text

Levie, W.H. & Lentz, R. (1982). Effects of text illustrations: A review of research. Educational
Communications and Technology Journal, 30 (4), 195-232.
Issues to consider in Graphics:

An essential picture which cannot be removed without

Germaneness harming comprehension

Simplified drawings are better instructional aids since they

Realism focus attention on the salient points under construction

Graphics should be as simple as possible and complexity

Complexity should be added only where absolutely required
Larger pictures have more impact however, it is necessary
to balance the need to have a graphic which is large with
Size technical limitations, such as download time or computer
capacity
Users from other cultures may be offended by certain colors
Culture or graphics

Misanchuk, E., Schwier, R. & Boling, E. (in press). Visual design for instructional multimedia
Visual Graphics for Instructional Design

Text
Should also be simple
“An overabundance of fonts or colors can distract rather
than assist learning”
Levie, W.H. & Lentz, R. (1982). Effects of text illustrations: A review of research. Educational
Communications and Technology Journal, 30 (4), 195-232.
Consistency & Simplicity

Do NOT use
more than three (3) font variations:

Size

Typeface

Effects
Consistency & Simplicity

Do NOT use
more than three (3) font variations:

Size

Typeface

Effects

…by the way

notice the Focus
Powerful Presentations using Creative Media
for Instructional Design with maximum Impact & Effect

Strategy
& Tactics
Using both graphics and text

“The Whole is More Than the Sum of Its Parts”

Wertheimer, M. (1924). Gestalt theory. Social Research, 11, translation of
lecture at the Kant Society, Berlin.
Gestalt Theory

figures adapted from examples in: Mullet, K. & Sano, D. (1995). Designing visual interfaces:
Communication oriented techniques. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall
PROXIMITY
 PROXIMITY

proximity or closeness creates a bond

between people and between elements
on a page. How close together or far
apart elements are placed suggests a
relationship (or lack of) between
otherwise disparate parts.
 Gap between Texts
Gap between Graphics
Gap between Texts and Graphics

PROXIMITY
 Gap between Texts
Gap between Graphics
Gap between Texts and Graphics

[ Do a suitable space within object ]

EMPHASIS
EMPHASIS
[ You should have one main item ]
REPETITION
 Color Consistency
Standardizes Font Type
Related Shapes and Images

REPETITION
 Color Consistency
Standardizes Font Type
Related Shapes and Images

[ Use repetition only if you need ]

Always remember CASPER….