1. Gary J. Anglin Robert Towers W. Howard Levie
Visual Message Design and Learning: The Role of Static and Dynamic Illustrations
Gary J. Anglin
Robert Towers
W. Howard Levie
Chapter 26

2. Space Telescope Science Institute Supernova 1987a
1994
1997
Still Image Example
Time
elapsed
images
After initial explosion in 1987, what would cause this knot to glow?

3. Space Telescope Science Institute Supernova 1987a
Light from initial explosion causes rings to glow
Debris hurled outward at 1/10 speed of light
Expanding shockwave causes rings to heat up
1994
1997
and glow again

4. Space Telescope Science Institute Supernova 1987a
Light from initial explosion causes rings to glow
Debris hurled outward at 1/10 speed of light
Expanding shockwave causes rings to heat up
and glow again
Animated Image
Click on movie to play

5. Message Design and Learning: Role of Static and Dynamic Illustrations
Purpose of Chapter
Introduce ID researchers in message creation to primary theories of picture perception
Survey and critique visual message design research for static and animated (dynamic) illustrations

6. Message Design and Learning: Role of Static and Dynamic Illustrations
Major issues
Three lines of research on illustrations
Picture Perception
Memory for pictures
Learning and cognition

7. Message Design and Learning: Role of Static and Dynamic Illustrations
Picture Perception
Major research questions:
How do pictures carry meaning?
What kinds of meanings can pictures carry?
Is there a grammar of picturing?
Is picture perception innate, or a learned skill?

8. Message Design and Learning: Role of Static and Dynamic Illustrations
Picture Perception
Major research findings:
Realism defined as copying or conveying nature
Measured by degree of mirroring real-world referents by either cognitive or physical properties
Manipulate effects of “Realism Cues”: Amount of detail, color, motion

9. Message Design and Learning: Role of Static and Dynamic Illustrations
Memory Models
Major research question:
Is memory recall from images greater than from memory recall from words?

10. Message Design and Learning: Role of Static and Dynamic Illustrations
Memory Models
Major research findings:
Significant evidence that memory from pictures is better than memory from words
Coined in research as “Picture Superiority Effect”
Three distinct theories provided to support superiority effect

11. Message Design and Learning: Role of Static and Dynamic Illustrations
Static Pictures
Learning & Cognition Findings:
Static visual illustrations can facilitate the acquisition of knowledge when presented with text materials
Facilitative effects not present across all learning environments

12. Message Design and Learning: Role of Static and Dynamic Illustrations
Most useful facts:
Static Illustrations
Illustrations used in learning to read not helpful
Illustrations with text-redundant information can facilitate learning
Illustration variables like: size, page position, style, color and degree of realism may affect attention, but not significant aid in learning

13. Message Design and Learning: Role of Static and Dynamic Illustrations
Dynamic Pictures
Learning & Cognition Findings:
Animation effective when motion is critical attribute of concept being presented
Animation effective when motion used to cue or draw viewer’s attention to material being presented

14. Message Design and Learning: Role of Static and Dynamic Illustrations
Most useful facts:
Dynamic Illustrations
Research on effects of dynamic visuals very limited
Early research on dynamic visuals lacked controls
Facilitative effects not present for animated treatments across all learning levels
Animation should only be used when its attributes congruent to learning task

15. Message Design and Learning: Role of Static and Dynamic Illustrations
Future trends & research possibilities:
Static Illustrations
Focus on manner in which static illustrations function to facilitate learning: attentional, retentional, or explicative roles
Test grammar illustration model of Duchastel
Test framework illustration model of Levie

16. Message Design and Learning: Role of Static and Dynamic Illustrations
Future trends & research possibilities:
Dynamic Illustrations
Validation of functional frameworks by Rieber, and Park and Hopkins
Demonstrate how learners use an animated sequence in the learning process
Demonstrate how effects of experience, prior knowledge, developmental level, and aptitude patterns effect learning with dynamic images

17. Space Telescope Science Institute Supernova 1987a
Still Image Example
If the three rings shown do not intersect, how might they be oriented with respect to each other?

18. Hubble Animation Space Telescope Science Institute Supernova 1987a
Rings may be painted on an invisible hourglass or cone shape by a high energy beam of radiation sweeping across gas, like search light against clouds

19. Hubble Animation Space Telescope Science Institute Supernova 1987a
Rings may be painted on an invisible hourglass or cone shape by a high energy beam of radiation sweeping across gas, like search light against clouds
Animated Image
Click on movie to play

20. Space Telescope Science Institute Supernova 1987a
WFPC2 Image: Orion Nebula
Mosaic 15 fields, 2.5 light years across
Glowing gas illuminated & heated by ultraviolet light and stars in lower left
How many stars can you see in blue square area?

21. Space Telescope Science Institute Supernova 1987a
Using Near Infrared Camera (NICMOS), what do you see occurring?
Active chaotic star forming region
Stars in yellow & orange
Hydrogen gas shown in blue
Orion Nebula

22. Space Telescope Science Institute Supernova 1987a
Animated Image
Animation of Wide Field Camera (WFPC2) to Near Infrared Camera (NICMOS)
Click on movie to play