Visual Design of Information

Using Visuals

Visuals can be used in text, such as handouts, projected for instructor support as slides, transparencies or electronic presentations, and on electronic media such self-paced instruction (CBT, hypertext or multimedia). Illustrations and other types of graphics are used for three purposes:

• To gain and maintain the learner's attention
• To explain something
• To help the learner to remember the information.

Types of Visuals

• Representational: Line drawings, sketches, photographs which look like the person, place or thing they represent are called representational visuals.
• Analogical: An analogical visual type of visual which represents a concept which is similar in some ways but otherwise unlike. Analogical visuals are often used with abstract concepts; for instance the flow of water is sometimes used as an analogy for the flow of electricity.
  
• Charts and Graphs: Graphs represent numerical ideas, and charts can represent numerical or abstract ideas.
  

  Charts

  

  Graphs

The Overall Look of the Visual

Now create some thumbnail sketches of your visuals on paper. Try several different ways to communicate the same concept. Once you start drawing it on the computer you may not want to change it, even though it's not hard to do, so now is the time to think through your ideas.

Graphics Tips

• Keep it simple (which of these looks easier to understand?)
  
• Leave white space (which of these looks more organized?)
  
• Keep it organized
• Create a path for the eye (which of these looks better?)
  
• Make something dominant (which of these looks easier to determine the important concept?)
  
• Divide space in an interesting way (the first visual is very static, but the second and third use the Rule of Thirds to keep the visual interesting)
  
• Present one idea at a time (which of these looks easier to understand?)
  
• Graphics or photos should face the middle of the picture (which of these would keep your attention within the picture?)
  
• Use a horizontal format
• Dynamic visuals (with active, diagonal lines) gain and retain attention better
  
• Overlays can be used to add more information
• Don't get carried away

Using Color

• Color can be used to highlight an aspect of the graphic you want to focus on
  
• Make sure there is sufficient contrast between the background and the object or text (projected visuals need more contrast than those read off paper or a computer screen)
  
• Don't overdo colors (2 or 3 are enough)
• Colors often have specific meanings, but these vary from culture to culture

The Use of Text on Visuals

Writing Style

• Use a headline
  
• Check for errors
  
• Distill the essence of the message using as few words as possible
• Use key words
• Use no more than six lines, six words per line
• Use active voice, not passive voice
  Active voice: The dog chased the boy around the yard.
  Passive voice: The boy was chased around the yard by the dog.
• Write items in lists parallel
• Divide and organize long lists

  Design Hints
  Horizontal Format	Key Words
  Visual Ideas	Legibility
  Single Concept	Overlays
  Minimum verbiage	Color

Fonts and Lettering

• For projected electronic visuals, 24 and 36 point are good sizes. For ITV, use at least 30 point.
• Use upper and lower case. WHEN EVERYTHING IS IN UPPER CASE IT IS DIFFICULT TO TELL WHAT SHOULD BE EMPHASIZED. Upper and lower case, on the other hand is much easier to read.
• Gothic and Roman San Serif is easiest to read on a projected visual.
• Various styles such as bold or italic may be used to emphasize, but overuse may make the visual hard to read.
• There should be sufficient contrast between the lettering and the background to read the visual.
• Lettering between lines and letters should be sufficient, but t o o m u c h or too little space makes the text hard to read.

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Copyright © 1997 Created July 1997 Last Revision: February 13, 2001 E-mail: jhites@stcloudstate.edu E-mail: kewing@stcloudstate.edu URL: http://lrs.stcloudstate.edu/cim/courses/pine/visual.html