Introduction to Visual Introduction to Visual LiteracyLiteracy

Introduction to Visual Introduction to Visual LiteracyLiteracy

Essential Questions:Essential Questions:What does it mean to be a What does it mean to be a “Visually Literate Person” “Visually Literate Person”

(VLP)?(VLP)?

Essential Questions:Essential Questions:What does it mean to be a What does it mean to be a “Visually Literate Person” “Visually Literate Person”

(VLP)?(VLP)?

Why is it important for teachers Why is it important for teachers and students to understand and students to understand

visual literacyvisual literacy??

Basic Design Principles

• Contrast• Repetition• Alignment• Proximity

ContrastOne of the most effective ways to add visual interest to a page.

Contrast

RepetitionYou can repeat colors, shapes, textures, line thicknesses, fonts, sizes, graphic concepts, etc. This develops the organization and strengthens the unity.

Repetition

AlignmentNothing should be placed on the page arbitrarily. Every element should have some visual connection with another element on the page.

Alignment

Alignment

Alignment Activity

“Bad” v

ersion

Alignment Activity

“Good” v

ersion

ProximityItems relating to each other should be grouped close together. This helps organize information, reduces clutter, and gives the reader a clear structure.

Proximity

Putting It All Together

Basic Design Principles- Recap

• Contrast• Repetition• Alignment• Proximity

Typography• Sans Serif –No “feet” at the end

Use for titles, subtitles, and headings e.g. Arial

• Serif – Letters have “feet” Easier to read; best for body text e.g. Times New Roman

Typography• Use to add emphasis and personality to

text:

“Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard

no more; it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,

signifying nothing.”

Recommended Books• The Non-Designer’s Design

Book (2nd edition) Robin Williams

• Dynamics in Document Design: Creating Text for ReadersKaren A. Schriver