Basic Visual Design Principles Karen Ferneding C&I 335

What is Visual Literacy? Educational Purposes: Critical Thinking - Heightened awareness of hyper- mediated visual culture (media literacy) Communication - Support effective teaching and learning

Learning & Instruction Connection between visual imagery, sound, memory & perception Theories about how memory works –Information processing theory –Dual-coding theory

Visual & Auditory Information Processing Theory Short Term Memory Long Term Memory Sensory & Working Selecting Organizing Visual & Language Integration

Dual-Coding Theory Separate memory systems for different types of information – Verbal: language systems (auditory/speech) – Imaginal: (picture, sound, taste, nonverbal thoughts & imagination) Concrete (cat) vs. Abstract ideas/emotions (fickle) – which is easiest to remember?

Learning & Instruction Design visuals to support cognitive processes of selection, organization & integration Choose colors, typefaces & visual symbols Use visual design principles of figure/ground, hierarchy & gestalt

Three Principles 1.Hierarchy: Helping learners organize information 2.Figure/Ground 2.Figure/Ground: Helping learners select important information 3.Gestalt: Helping learners integrate information

Principles of Visual Design Hierarchy : The perception principle that communicates the relative importance of elements in a display –Chunking groups of related information using visual cues –Imaginary vertical, horizontal & diagonal planes –Visually stratify layers of information Principles of Perception & Visual Design

Types of Symbols

Rule of Thirds

Graphs & Visualization of Data Charles Joseph Minard Napoleon’s March on Moscow ( )

Principles of Perception &Visual Design Figure/Ground : The perception principle that describes how the mind seeks figure and ground distinctions –Figure: Information that stands out –Ground: Information that recedes or supports

Figure Ground

Labyrinths Labyrinths, usually in the form of a circle, have a meandering but purposeful path, from the edge to the center and back out again, large enough to be walked into. Each has only one path, and once we make the choice to enter it, the path becomes a metaphor for our journey through life.

Labyrinths Labyrinths, usually in the form of a circle, have a meandering but purposeful path, from the edge to the center and back out again, large enough to be walked into. Each has only one path, and once we make the choice to enter it, the path becomes a metaphor for our journey through life.

Labyrinths Labyrinths, usually in the form of a circle, have a meandering but purposeful path, from the edge to the center and back out again, large enough to be walked into. Each has only one path, and once we make the choice to enter it, the path becomes a metaphor for our journey through life.

Principles of Perception & Visual Design Gestalt:The whole (a total learning environment) is greater than the sum of its parts (successful design and integration of all visual/instructional elements) –A/symmetry, balance, proximity, similarity, contrast & contiguity –Closure: mind’s tendency to seek completion

CONtrast Contrast and Proximity Hare

Three Types of Balance

Grey scale: Black, grey, white Monochromatic: different tints (added white) or shades (added black) of same color Complementary: directly opposite on color wheel (e.g. red- green, yellow,-violet, orange-blue) Primary: red, blue, yellow Secondary: purple, green, orange

Be inspired by art and nature Explore color palettes of templates Use psychological associations (color and mood/meaning) –Red: passion, bloodshed, power, zeal –Blue: serenity, tranquility –Green: growth, hope, disease, terror

Color Contrast and Legibility

Example of a Color Schema

Typeface as an Expressive Form

Process of Visual Design (Unique Thematic Visual Schema) Elements: selection and assemblage of text/visual elements Pattern: determine underlying pattern (harmony or gestalt) for consistency Arrangement: how individual elements arranged within the underlying pattern

Eport Visual Schema Theme -- idea/topic Metaphor – symbol/simile Icon – image/sign Telling a Story

Imaging Technology Professional Electronic Portfolio Jenny Sweetwater CV Transcripts Philosophy Teaching Standards Educational Links

Patterns Professional Electronic portfolio CV Transcripts Philosophy Teaching Standards Educational Links Jennifer Sweetwater

Jenny Sweetwater Professional Electronic Portfolio CV Transcripts Teaching Standards Philosophy Statement Educational Links

EPortfolio Examples mlhttp://students.ed.uiuc.edu/jlin/ePort/homepage.ht ml age.htm

Bibliography Lohr, Linda (2003). Creating Graphics for Learning and Performance. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill Prentice Hall. Smaldino, S. E., Russell, J. D., Heinich, R. & Molenda, M. (2005). Instructional Technology and Media for Learning. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill Prentice Hall.