Visual Principles

Instructional Media and Technologies for LearningChapter 5

Presented by Linda Nash

Roles of Visual Instruction

Visuals provide a referent for ideas

Visuals are iconic

Abacus

Visuals motivate learners by attracting their attention.

Visual Literacy

The learned ability to interpret and to create visual messages, can be developed in two major ways.

Input strategies, or decoding Output strategies, or encoding

Input strategies, or decoding

Developmental effects

Cultural effects Visual

preferences

Output strategies, or encoding

Creating visuals

Goals of Visual Design

Ensure legibility Reduce Effort Increase Active Engagement Focus Attention

Graphics: help or hurt?

Hoffman, Bob. “Using Graphics and Animation in Instruction”, Encyclopedia Of Instructional Technology, http://coe.sdsu.edu/eet/articles/typecontrasts/index.htm

Processes of Visual Design

•Visual elements

•Verbal elements

•Elements that add texture and appeal

Visual Elements

•Realistic

•Analogic

•Organizational

Realistic visual elements

Realistic is not always better

Analogic visual elements

Comparing the unknown to the known

Organizational Elements

Flowcharts Graphs Maps

Verbal Elements

Letter Style

Sans serif typeface, such as Helvetica, is well suited to projected visuals.

A serifed typeface, such as Palatino, is recommended for printed text.

Some rules for lettering

Limit variations, such as Bold, italic, underline,

size, and typeface, to 4 CAPITALS- USE ONLY WHERE NORMALLY

REQUIRED Color of lettering should contrast with the

background Color of lettering should contrast with the

background

More lettering rules

Size- ½ inch to 10 feet Spacing between letters- optical method Spacing between lines

Elements that Add Appeal

Surprise Texture Interaction

Pattern

Alignment Shape Balance Style Color Scheme Color Appeal

Alignment

Shape

Letter shape

Balance

Rule of Thirds

Rule ofThirds

Rule of Thirds-2

“Panache" - courtesy of Karen Bryan

Rule of Thirds - 3 With grid

Color Scheme

Use the color wheel to determine harmonious color schemes

Color Appeal

Consider the audience and the subject. Children prefer warm colors (red, pink,

orange, yellow) Adults prefer cool, more subtle color

combinations (blue, green violet) Be aware of cultural differences

Arrangement

Proximity Directionals Figure-Ground Contrast Consistency

Arrangement- No proximity

Arrangement with proximity

Directionals

Bullets

Arrows

Bold type

Bright colors

Figure-Ground Contrast

Light on dark or dark on light is the rule

Legibility

Consistency

As viewers go through a series of images, they attempt to form a set of rules about where information will appear.

Consistency allows the viewer to use less energy determining these rules, and more energy concentrating on your message.

Visual Planning Tools

Storyboard Types of Letters Drawing, Sketching, Cartooning

Digital Images

Digital Cameras Scanners PowerPoint Desktop Publishing

Sum it Up

Assemble the elements Choose the background Arrange elements Check and Revise

Citations

Heinrich,Robert, Molenda, Michael, Russell, James D., and Smaldino, Sharon. Instructional Media and Technologies for Learning. Columbus, Ohio: Merrill-Prentice-Hall, 2002.

Hoffman, Bob. (c1994-2003) The Encyclopedia of Educational Technology. Retrieved September 9, 2003, from http://coe.sdsu.edu/eet/articles/typecontrasts/index.htm

Kraemer, James. (1999). 2safeschools Retrieved September 7, 2003, from http://www.geocities.com/yellowtincan/ytc.htm

Kristi@Cartoon Cottage. (c1998-2003) Cartoon Cottage Retrieved September 8, 2003, from http://cartooncottage.com/