Basic Design Principles for Creating Effective Visual Aids Created by: The University of North Texas in partnership with the Texas Education Agency

UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright © All rights reserved.2 In reviewing the content of this professional development module it may be helpful for you to use the following tools to take notes, summarize key points and identify ideas to implement in your classroom: Cornell Notes ExampleCornell Notes Example: Sample Cornell Notes Sheet that demonstrates how to take notes, summarize key points, and identify specific ideas for implementation. Cornell Notes FormCornell Notes Form: Blank Cornell Notes Sheet for use in taking notes, summarizing key points, and identifying specific ideas for implementation. Mind Map ExampleMind Map Example: Example of how to use a mind map to take notes, summarize key points, and identify specific ideas for implementation. Mind Map Blank FormMind Map Blank Form: Blank Mind Map for use in taking notes, summarizing key points, and identifying specific ideas for implementation. Action PlanAction Plan: Form to use in taking ideas for implementation from the professional development module (from Cornell Notes Sheet and/or Mind Map) and planning to implement them in your classroom. Use of Modules

UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright © All rights reserved.3 Objectives Define design terms Explain basic design principles and common blunders Examine effective application of design principles

UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright © All rights reserved.4 General Design Terms AXIS – a fixed line along which distances are measured or to which positions are referred SYMMETRY – elements that are the same on either side of an axis ASYMMETRY – elements are unequally distributed on either side of an axis

UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright © All rights reserved.5 Design Terms (cont.) FORMAL – rigid; indicative of ceremonial rules or guidelines INFORMAL – casual; not according to ceremonial rules or guidelines

UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright © All rights reserved.6 Design Terms (cont.) PROPORTION – relationship of one part to another part or to the whole BALANCE – elements distributed to establish a state of harmony or equilibrium TENSION – any strained relationship between elements

UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright © All rights reserved.7 Design Terms (cont.) LINE – direction of eye movement PATTERN – configuration of elements RHYTHM – movement or fluctuation marked by the regular recurrence or natural flow of related elements

UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright © All rights reserved.8 4 Basic Design Principles Proximity Alignment Repetition Contrast

UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright © All rights reserved.9 Proximity (Relationship) Group related items together to create “chunks” of information –Indicates the beginning point –Implies a relationship –Organizes the text –Organizes the white space

UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright © All rights reserved.10 Proximity Blunders Including too many separate elements Locating visual elements in corners and in the middle Creating equal white space among all elements Creating confusion about which pieces belong together Creating relationships between things that do not belong together

UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright © All rights reserved.11 Alignment (Unity) On the pages of a document, every item should have a visual connection with another item –Creates a stronger cohesive unit –Invisible lines connect elements to indicate a relationship –Every piece has a reason for its placement

UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright © All rights reserved.12 Alignment Blunders Using multiple text alignment formats on one page Using the same text alignment format in every publication Using centered text unless you are creating a formal publication “Falling cows”

UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright © All rights reserved.13 Repetition (Consistency) Repeat some aspect of the design throughout the entire piece to create strong graphic symbols –Bullet –Color –Design element –Spatial relationship –Format (bold, italic, underlined, etc.)

UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright © All rights reserved.14 Repetition Blunders Repeating elements to the point that they become obnoxious Overdoing to the point of confusion

UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright © All rights reserved.15 Contrast (Interest) When two items are different, make them REALLY different –Line directions –Line weights –Type –Color –Texture

UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright © All rights reserved.16 Contrast Blunders Mediocre documents Creating small differences

UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright © All rights reserved.17 Summary Be visually aware Seek inspiration around you Adapt previous publications Keep idea files Describe designs with words Sketch your ideas Have fun!

UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright © All rights reserved.18 Source: Williams, R. (2008). The non-designer’s design book: Design and typographic principles for the visual novice. (3 rd ed.). Berkeley, CA: Peachpit Press. Continue to next slide in presentation for review questions and feedback.

UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright © All rights reserved.19 Review Question 1 DIRECTIONS: Based on the module, determine if the following statement is true or false. Select the appropriate link below the question to indicate your response. QUESTION 1: Formal documents are usually symmetric about a vertical axis or “center-aligned.” TRUEFALSE

UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright © All rights reserved.20 Incorrect Review alignment principles. Center-aligned text should be reserved for formal documents (examples of formal documents include wedding invitations, graduation programs, religious programs, etc.) Using a centered alignment for casual documents is a common alignment blunder. Go on to Question 2 Go back to Question 1

UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright © All rights reserved.21 Correct! Go on to Question 2

UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright © All rights reserved.22 Review Question 2 DIRECTIONS: Based on the module, determine if the following statement is true or false. Select the appropriate link below the question to indicate your response. QUESTION 2: The four basic graphic design principles are balance, contrast, harmony, and repetition. TRUEFALSE

UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright © All rights reserved.23 Incorrect The four basic graphic design principles presented in this module are: –Alignment –Proximity –Contrast –Repetition Go on to Question 3 Go back to Question 2

UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright © All rights reserved.24 Correct! Go on to Question 3

UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright © All rights reserved.25 Review Question 3 DIRECTIONS: Based on the module, determine if the following statement is true or false. Select the appropriate link below the question to indicate your response. QUESTION 3: The principle of contrast states that if things are different, make them really different. TRUEFALSE

UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright © All rights reserved.26 Incorrect Creating small differences between design elements is a primary contrast blunder. Creating small differences between design elements also leads to mediocre designs. Heighten differences between design elements to create contrast. Go back to Question 3 Go on to Question 4

UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright © All rights reserved.27 Correct! Go on to Question 4

UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright © All rights reserved.28 Review Question 4 DIRECTIONS: Based on the module, determine if the following statement is true or false. Select the appropriate link below the question to record your response. QUESTION 4: The principle of alignment states that using multiple alignment formats on a page creates unity among the visual elements. TRUEFALSE

UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright © All rights reserved.29 Incorrect Using multiple text alignment formats on one page is a primary alignment blunder. Make sure every visual element has a connection to at least one other visual element on the page. Go back to Question 4 Go on to Question 5

UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright © All rights reserved.30 Correct! Go on to Question 5

UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright © All rights reserved.31 Review Question 5 DIRECTIONS: Based on the module, determine if the following statement is true or false. Select the appropriate link below the question to indicate your response. QUESTION 5: Using too many repetitive elements can make documents difficult to read. TRUEFALSE

UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright © All rights reserved.32 Incorrect Repeating elements to the point that they become obnoxious is one of the common blunders in graphic design. Overdoing repetitive elements can cause confusion on the part of the reader and make documents difficult to read. Go back to Question 5

UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright © All rights reserved.33 Correct! Congratulations! You have completed this professional development module.