Visual Design for Instruction: Using Graphic Design Principles to Improve
Legibility and Readability
Abbie Brown, PhD
Professor and Author:
Instructional Design/Technology
Legibility and Readability
• Readability = understandability
– One’s ability to receive the intended message of the whole document
• Legibility = clarity of words and images
– One’s ability to determine what the letters and pictures are supposed to be
Readability Example (the good)
Comedy and Tragedy
Classical comedy is often presented as the rise in fortune of a sympathetic central character.
Classical tragedy is often presented as the downfall of a basically good person who suffers based on a fatal error or misjudgment.
The masks of Thalia (the muse of comedy) and
Melpomene (the muse of tragedy) are a
traditional symbol of theater arts.
Readability Example (the bad)
Comedy and Tragedy
Classical comedy is often presented as the rise in fortune of a sympathetic central character.
Classical tragedy is often presented as the downfall of a basically good person who suffers based on a fatal error or misjudgment.
The masks of Thalia (the muse of comedy) and Melpomene (the muse of tragedy) are a traditional symbol of theater arts.
Legibility Example (the good)
Comedy and Tragedy
Classical comedy is often presented as the rise in fortune of a sympathetic central character.
Classical tragedy is often presented as the downfall of a basically good person who suffers based on a fatal error or misjudgment.
The masks of Thalia (the muse of comedy) and
Melpomene (the muse of tragedy) are a
traditional symbol of theater arts.
Legibility Example (the bad)
Comedy and Tragedy
Classical comedy is often
presented as the rise in
fortune of a sympathetic central character.
Classical tragedy is often presented
as the downfall of a basically good
person who suffers based on a fatal
error or misjudgment. The masks of Thalia
(the muse of comedy)
and Melpomene (the
muse of tragedy) are
a traditional symbol of
theater arts.
We apply tested and reliable visual design principles to increase the readability and legibility of anything we want people to read and understand.
Design Tip: Use images with faces to attract readers. People immediately focus attention on faces (human, animal, or cartoon).
Basic Visual Design Principles
• Contrast
• Repetition
• Alignment
• Proximity The unfortunate acronym - Williams, 2008
Why a duck? We’ll be using this image in our examples of contrast, repetition, alignment and proximity. It’s a thematic element (repetition) – more on this in just a moment.
Telecommuting
Working from home full-time or part-time is an attractive option for some people. Ensuring telecommuters have the resources they need to be productive employees takes careful planning and regular systemic evaluation. It might come as a surprise to know that over 20% of Londale, Inc. staff telecommute at least three days a month.
Londale, Inc. A division of P.L. Enterprises
Thank You Notes
Sending a Thank You note can help establish a warm,
personal connection with prospective client. The note
can thank the client for taking a meeting with you,
formalizing a business relationship, or
acknowledging a gesture on the client’s part.
Londale, Inc. A division of P.L. Enterprises
Working for Londale, Inc. Corporate and personal goals working in concert.
Full-time or Part-time?
Employee Benefits
Career Training
Retirement Planning