5 Visual Design Model Stages

Identify Communication Function Needed to Match Content Types

Define Goals

Determine Context

Design Visual Approach

Apply Principles of Psychological Instructional Events

Inform or motivate

Build far-transfer (problem-solving) skills and associated knowledge

Build near-transfer (procedural) skills and associated knowledge

Learning Landscape - Where is the learning taking place

Delivery Media - The way in which the material will be displayed

Learner Profile - Who is doing the learning

Pragmatic Issues - Define the limiting factors (LIMFACs)

Novice, Advanced, Mixed

Classroom, self-study computer

Book

Determine the image - colors and fonts should reflect content, desired impact on the audience, and credibility

Assess general graphic requirements of content

Design Treatment

Text dominant or visual dominant

Instructional Strategy

Navigation and functionality (for online learning)

Surface features that align with context and goals

Concept

Facts

Procedures

Process

Multiple Content

Principles

Use organizational visuals

Use representational, transformational visuals

Use diverse representational or interpretive visuals

Sue representational and mnemonic visuals

Use transformational visuals

Use explanatory visuals, such as relational, interpretive, or transformational

For all instructional goals, apply principles to awaken prior knowledge and support transfer

If building near-transfer skills then apply transfer principles

If building far-transfer skills then apply mental model principles

If learners low in personal motivation, then apply motivational visual principles

If complex content, novice audience, or runs outside learner control, then apply attention and cognitive load principles

Layout or interface for media (style, orientation, real estate)

Male vs Female

Older vs Younger

Novices usually require more graphics

Experts or advanced learners find that graphics depress learning

There are statistically more colorblind males so graphics for males should not rely solely on red = wrong and green = right.

Breakroom

Home

Office

Computer

Flip chart

Smart phone

Display size

Touch interface

Graphic size

Bandwidth

Style Guides

Time Tables

Accessibility requirements

Budget

Templates

Page Orientation

Colors

Real Estate

Functionality needs