Visual Design Robert Munro 2005

Graphic design  Graphic design is a large and complicated field:  it encompasses user needs, information architecture, navigation design, and visual design  Teaching graphic design is outside the scope of this course  You will not be assessed on the finer points of your design choices

Graphic design and multimedia  You are (probably) not a graphic designer:  If you have the funds, employ one  Do-it-yourself design:  Keep it simple  Make use of designs you have within your assets

Graphic design and multimedia  Graphic design is as much about effective communication as it is about visual appeal  You can express the relationships between elements:  distribution between pages/screens  through the narratives of navigation  through visual association

Some basic principles of design 1.Movement 2.Balance 3.Emphasis 4.Unity

1. Movement  Anticipated movement:  what elements look like they should move?  what event(s) should accompany movement?  Rhythm:  the way a user’s eye will flow through an image  depends on the image contents  depends on the user’s language and culture

2. Balance  Distribution of objects across the screen  Balance can be achieved through:  colour  value (lightness/darkness contrast)  shape  position  texture  eye direction

3. Emphasis  What do you want users to focus on?  Determined by:  contrast  isolation  placement  movement  change of state

4. Unity  How do elements fit together?  Can be created through:  proximity  repetition  continuation

Example: Hearing Voices  Movement:  Rythmn:  vertical?

Example: Hearing Voices  Balance- symetrical:  Horizontal balance  colour  value  shape (doubly)  position  texture  Vertical  shape  position

Example: Hearing Voices  Emphasis:  contrast  isolation  placement  movement  change of state

Example: Hearing Voices  Unity:  proximity  repetition  continuation