Graphic Design and instructional design! Hmmm.. what a match! What in the world are we talking about? First of all, let’s define instructional design for those who are just learning about this. Instructional design is the process of creating effective learning experiences by carefully planning, developing, and delivering educational content. In simple terms, it’s the art and science of making learning materials that actually work. When you had to learn the ins and outs of safety in the warehouse or how to do your specific job. THIS was all done by an instructional designer. Someone who designed the instruction to make sure you understood what the heck was going on.

Alright, now that we have that all cleared up, let’s chat about how graphic design can really boost instructional design and help learners like all of us achieve amazing outcomes. You might not realize it, but the visuals we see in educational materials play a huge role in how we learn and understand new concepts.

Think about infographics for a moment. They’re like little superheroes of information! Instead of sifting through tons of text, infographics break down complex data into bite-sized pieces that are easy to digest. Imagine flipping through a textbook and finding a colorful infographic that highlights the key points you need to remember. It makes learning feel less overwhelming and way more fun!

Now, let’s think about the colors used in these materials. Did you know that colors can actually influence how we feel and what we pay attention to? When instructional materials use bright, eye-catching colors to highlight important terms or concepts, it’s like giving your brain a friendly nudge to focus on what really matters. For example, if a textbook uses a vibrant color to underline crucial definitions, you’re more likely to remember those terms later on. Pretty cool, yes?

And here’s where it gets even more intricate! Interactive e-learning modules that incorporate graphic design elements can turn learning into an adventure by providing an extra dimension to the learning process in terms of the visuals. Picture this: you’re navigating through a course filled with animations, videos, and interactive materials that lead you down a learning path and increase your learning growth. Instead of just sitting back and reading text, you’re actively participating in your learning journey. This kind of engagement can make studying feel less like a chore and more like an enjoyable experience. This is all due to graphic design. Be it motion graphics or static graphic design, visuals can guide the learning process and, more importantly, keep the learning engaging. Engaging is the key element.

So, to wrap it all up, graphic design isn’t just about making things look pretty. It’s a powerful tool that enhances instructional design and creates better learning experiences. By simplifying complex ideas, guiding our attention with colors, and encouraging us to interact, graphic design helps us all reach our educational goals with a smile!

FYI: for those of you graphic designers interested in this topic, it would benefit you to get familiar with learning management systems (LMS) like Canvas and eLearning software like Storyline or Captivate.

Thanks for reading!

David

(Cali Dingo)