Design Links
Design Principles
In the context of instructional design it seems that the visual principles of design are often overlooked or not fully acknowledged as an important element when creating instructional resources. When looking at semiotics, message design or design aesthetics one could argue that modern advertising has a clearer understanding of the psychological impact of applied design theory. Is design an ironic performance gap between the theory and application in instructional design? In the world of the new digital medium of the Internet this may be the case.
In terms of usability in Web Sites and Graphic User Interface (GUI) there is fierce debate between some graphic designers and academics. One could argue that many academic experts or sites relating to usability or instructional design lack a demonstrated understanding of the elements/principles of design or, as some argue, a clear understanding of web site design. For instance, Jacob Nielson, a leading expert in usability, draws the ire of many graphic web designers. Certainly by looking at his website ( http://www.useit.com ) one is struck by the antiquated plainness of its layout and design.
Regardless of what one thinks in terms of the graphic designer vs. usability expert debate, the question still remains: what impact or importance does graphic design have in instructional design?
The scope of this question lies beyond the purpose of this entry. However some research into the importance of the use of graphics to display quantitative information has been studied and extensively written on by Edward Tufte. Although not an instructional designer, Edward Tufte’s theories have potential related applications:
http://www.washington.edu/computing/training/560/zz-tufte.html
Attached is a compiled (but far from complete) list of tools and sites that look at both usability and the elements and principles of design. Although it may not be necessary to be an artist or graphic designer to design instructional resources, an understanding of basic design (and usability) principles may prove to be useful.
| Graphic Design | Design Theoryhttp://www.usask.ca/education/coursework/skaalid/theory/theory.htm
Graphic Design Principles http://www.msu.edu/~glazered/tc801/graphic.html Graphic Design Principles Index http://www.math.duke.edu/education/ccp/resources/write/design/graphicindex.html American Institute for Graphic Design Graphic Design Forum http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/index.php Essential Graphics Literature |
| Usability | Usability and GUI designhttp://www.usabilityfirst.com
Examples on GUI design http://www.gui-designers.co.uk Discussion on GUI design Don Norman http://cogsci.ucsd.edu/~norman/ Tognazzini’s usability Web site CHI Conference abstracts/academic research material Jacob Nielsen’s Web & some useful articles “interface hall of shame” Suggested readings on HCI and UI development http://www.acm.org/~perlman/readings.html Microsoft MSDN User Interface Resources Apples Human Interface Design Principles http://developer.apple.com/documentation/UserExperience/Conceptual /OSXHIGuidelines/XHIGHIDesign/chapter_5_section_2.html IBM’s ease of use Web site IBM’s Human Computer Interaction Web site Practical GUI design Macintosh Interface Evolution |
