The document discusses the benefits of good visual design in educational materials. It notes that 66% of stimuli reaching the brain are visual, 50% of the brain is devoted to visual processing, and 80% of learning is visually-based. The document provides tips for design including using emphasis, effective typography, color, layout, and balance. It provides examples of how linear text and visuals can enhance understanding and examples of best practices for designing handouts.

1. Mercer Hall & Patricia Russac
Educators & Co-Founders Of The American Society For Innovation Design In Education
theASIDEblog.blogspot.com
theASIDEblog@gmail.com
@theASIDEblog
The Benefits
Of Good Design
Simple Strategies For Creating Elegant And
Effective Materials To Engage Students
Nassau Community College
The Department Of Reading And Basic Education
Tuesday, May 5, 2015

2. All of the resources and
links for today’s session
can be found at:
gooddesign.strikingly.com

3. © ASIDE 2015
Design taps into the visual cortex:
66% of stimuli reaching the brain are visual
(Zaltman 1996)
50% of the brain is devoted to processing
visual images (Bates & Cleese 2001)
80% of learning is visually based (American
Optometric Assoc. 1991)
Source: Sebastian Gutierrez, Introduction To
Data Visualization, General Assembly, 2014

4. © ASIDE 2015
Design taps into the visual cortex:
66% of stimuli reaching the brain are visual
(Zaltman 1996)
50% of the brain is devoted to processing
visual images (Bates & Cleese 2001)
80% of learning is visually based (American
Optometric Assoc. 1991)
Source: Sebastian Gutierrez, Introduction To
Data Visualization, General Assembly, 2014

5. © ASIDE 2015
Design taps into the visual cortex:
66% of stimuli reaching the brain are visual
(Zaltman 1996)
50% of the brain is devoted to processing
visual images (Bates & Cleese 2001)
80% of learning is visually based (American
Optometric Assoc. 1991)
Source: Sebastian Gutierrez, Introduction To
Data Visualization, General Assembly, 2014

6. © ASIDE 2015
Design taps into the visual cortex:
• 66% of stimuli reaching the brain are visual
(Zaltman 1996)
• 50% of the brain is devoted to processing
visual images (Bates & Cleese 2001)
• 80% of learning is visually based (American
Optometric Assoc. 1991)
• Source: Sebastian Gutierrez, Introduction To
Data Visualization, General Assembly, 2014

7. © ASIDE 2015
Design taps into the visual cortex:
• 66% of stimuli reaching the brain are
visual (Zaltman 1996)
• 50% of the brain is devoted to processing
visual images (Bates & Cleese 2001)
• 80% of learning is visually based
(American Optometric Assoc. 1991)
Source: Sebastian Gutierrez, Introduction To Data Visualization, General Assembly, 2014

8. © ASIDE 2015
Design taps into the visual cortex
 66% of stimuli reaching the brain
are visual (Zaltman 1996)
 50% of the brain is devoted to
processing visual images (Bates &
Cleese 2001)
 80% of learning is visually based
(American Optometric Assoc. 1991)
Source: Sebastian Gutierrez, Introduction To Data Visualization, General Assembly, 2014

9. © ASIDE 2015
Design taps into the visual cortex
of stimuli
reaching
the brain
are visual
(Zaltman 1996)
of the brain
is devoted
to processing
visual images
(Bates & Cleese 2001)
of learning
is visually
based
(Amer. Optometric
Assoc. 1991)
Source: Sebastian Gutierrez, Introduction To Data Visualization, General Assembly, 2014
66%50% 80%

10. © ASIDE 2015
Design taps into the visual cortex:
66% of stimuli reaching the brain are visual
(Zaltman 1996)
50% of the brain is devoted to processing
visual images (Bates & Cleese 2001)
80% of learning is visually based (American
Optometric Assoc. 1991)
Source: Sebastian Gutierrez, Introduction To
Data Visualization, General Assembly, 2014

11. © ASIDE 2015
Design helps internalize inputs & stimuli

12. © ASIDE 2015
Visual media bombard the modern eye
Sources: http://visual.ly/how-use-social-media-marketing
https://medium.com/@Footrr/3-ways-to-communicate-online-for-free-8cae78675568

13. © ASIDE 2015
Visuals increase the level of engagement
Source: SyneCore Tech, Jordan Bruhn, https://visual.ly/importance-visual-content

14. © ASIDE 2015
Layout creates meaning & relationships
Source: ASIDE 2014

15. © ASIDE 2015
The eye “reads” many types of “texts”
Source: ASIDE 2012

16. © ASIDE 2015
To communicate is to engage the student
Source: ASIDE 2012; Tommy McCall, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZvsZtUfQQs

17. © ASIDE 2015
Graphicacy deals with visual language

18. © ASIDE 2015
Does the use of visuals decrease over time?
Source: Tommy McCall, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZvsZtUfQQs
Level Of Education
UseOfGraphics
Grade School College
LowHigh

19. © ASIDE 2015
Exercise 1:
Count the “7s” in the image below
Source: Column Five Media, The Value Of Visualization, https://vimeo.com/29684853

20. © ASIDE 2015
Exercise 1:
Now try to count the “7s”
Source: Column Five Media, The Value Of Visualization, https://vimeo.com/29684853

21. © ASIDE 2015
Exercise 1:
How about now?
Source: Column Five Media, The Value Of Visualization, https://vimeo.com/29684853

22. © ASIDE 2015
Exercise 1:
Or now?
Source: Column Five Media, The Value Of Visualization, https://vimeo.com/29684853

23. © ASIDE 2015
Exercise 2: Do you like this table design?
Source: https://speakerdeck.com/cherdarchuk/clear-off-the-table

24. © ASIDE 2015
Exercise 2: Or do you prefer this table?
Source: https://speakerdeck.com/cherdarchuk/clear-off-the-table

25. © ASIDE 2015
Simple tools & techniques can aid understanding
Source: http://splitcomplementary.blogspot.com/2012/08/new-and-improved-elements-and.html

26. © ASIDE 2015
Essential questions for creating materials
✍ Prior knowledge required?
✍ Frequency of usage?
Purpose
Audience
Format
Source: Sebastian Gutierrez, Introduction To Data Visualization, General Assembly, 2014
✍ Overall goal of the material?
✍ Desired takeaways?
✍ Print or electronic?
✍ Color or B&W?
✍ Guided or unguided?

27. © ASIDE 2015
Design Tip #1 - Emphasis
Source: Canva, “Quick Tips For Great Design,”
https://designschool.canva.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/10/Tips-and-Tricks-for-Great-Design.pdf

28. © ASIDE 2015
Design Tip #2 - Typography
Source: Canva, “Quick Tips For Great Design,”
https://designschool.canva.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/10/Tips-and-Tricks-for-Great-Design.pdf

29. © ASIDE 2015
Design Tip #3 - Hue
Source: Canva, “Quick Tips For Great Design,”
https://designschool.canva.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/10/Tips-and-Tricks-for-Great-Design.pdf

30. © ASIDE 2015
Design Tip #4 - Layout
Source: Canva, “Quick Tips For Great Design,”
https://designschool.canva.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/10/Tips-and-Tricks-for-Great-Design.pdf

31. © ASIDE 2015
Design Tip #5 - Balance
Source: Canva, “Quick Tips For Great Design,”
https://designschool.canva.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/10/Tips-and-Tricks-for-Great-Design.pdf

32. © ASIDE 2015
Example: This infographic captures all 5 tips
Source: http://file.designdb.com/editor/53/30867220120430130513.jpg

33. © ASIDE 2015
In practice - Linear vs. visual

34. © ASIDE 2015
In practice - Linear vs. visual

35. © ASIDE 2015
When creating handouts, allow room to breathe
Source: Jason Cranford Teague, http://www.edutopia.org/blog-design-101-typography-tips-jason-cranford-teague
Graphic Designers Of Canada, https://www.gdc.net/article/2014/11/14/2920

36. © ASIDE 2015
Handout example: Teaching materials

37. © ASIDE 2015
Handout example: Student outlines

38. © ASIDE 2015
Handout example: Writing template

39. © ASIDE 2015
Handout example: Text emphasis

40. © ASIDE 2015
Handout example: Columns
Source: NCC

41. Thank You!