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

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 © 2008. 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 Example: Sample Cornell Notes Sheet that demonstrates how to

take notes, summarize key points, and identify specific ideas for implementation.

Cornell Notes Form: Blank Cornell Notes Sheet for use in taking notes,

summarizing key points, and identifying specific ideas for implementation.

Mind 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 Form: Blank Mind Map for use in taking notes, summarizing key

points, and identifying specific ideas for implementation.

Action 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

http://cte.unt.edu/home/Prof_devl/cornellnotes_examplePG.pdf

http://cte.unt.edu/home/Prof_devl/cornellnotes_blankPG.pdf

http://cte.unt.edu/home/Prof_devl/mindmap_sample.pdf

http://cte.unt.edu/home/Prof_devl/mindmap_blank.pdf

http://cte.unt.edu/home/Prof_devl/actionplan.pdf


Objectives

• Define design terms

• Explain basic design principles and common blunders

• Examine effective application of design principles


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


Design Terms (cont.)

• FORMAL – rigid; indicative of ceremonial rules or guidelines

• INFORMAL – casual; not according to ceremonial rules or guidelines



• 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



• LINE – direction of eye movement

• PATTERN – configuration of elements

• RHYTHM – movement or fluctuation marked by the regular recurrence or natural flow of related elements


4 Basic Design Principles• Proximity

• Alignment

• Repetition

• Contrast


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


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


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


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”


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.)


Repetition Blunders

• Repeating elements to the point that they become obnoxious

• Overdoing to the point of confusion


Contrast (Interest)

• When two items are different, make them REALLY different

– Line directions

– Line weights

– Type

– Color

– Texture


Contrast Blunders

• Mediocre documents

• Creating small differences


Summary

• Be visually aware

• Seek inspiration around you

• Adapt previous publications

• Keep idea files

• Describe designs with words

• Sketch your ideas

• Have fun!


Source:

• Williams, R. (2008). The non-designer’s design book: Design and typographic principles for the visual novice. (3rd ed.). Berkeley, CA: Peachpit Press.

Continue to next slide in presentation for review

questions and feedback.


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.”

TRUE FALSE


Review Question 2

DIRECTIONS:


QUESTION 2:

The four basic graphic design principles are balance, contrast, harmony, and repetition.

TRUE FALSE


Review Question 3

DIRECTIONS:


QUESTION 3:

The principle of contrast states that if things are different, make them really different.

TRUE FALSE


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.

TRUE FALSE


Review Question 5

DIRECTIONS:


QUESTION 5:

Using too many repetitive elements can make documents difficult to read.

TRUE FALSE

Documents

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