One of the most important tools I find for anything instructional is graphics. Graphics add so much that allow people to see what is being presented to them far beyond what they can try to picture in their mind as they read. Graphics bring in a whole new element altering the experience, and creating an impression that solidifies the learning process. “The advantage of using graphics along with words and phrases is being able to see relationships and structure among the data that are obscured in a text-only situation. Detecting patterns, which are visual phenomena, in a field of text is virtually impossible.” These patterns are recognized by the brain and learning takes places more effectively. (Jacobson 1999)
Instructional graphics can be found everywhere
we go, directing us as to how to complete tasks. From everyday tasks such as
washing clothes, or tying a tie, we find graphics that illustrate how to do
these jobs.
We also find more complex graphics
that are used for teaching in an academic setting. These graphics provide a
more in-depth study of the subject, while allowing viewers to gain a better
understanding through pictures. This illustration of the foot can grant a
student the information about each bone that makes up the human foot. It
presents advanced knowledge to those who are looking to learn more about the
body.
Beyond the educational graphics we
find at home and in the classroom, graphics have been taken to a whole new
level in graphic and web design. Through the advances made in software such as
Photoshop and Illustrator, designers can take photographs to a whole new level and
create other new designs completely within these programs. Websites come alive,
and when designed well, they are powerful as they convey information to
consumers.
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This website was the winner for best
web design through the About.com website. The company Sagacity Works designs
websites for other businesses, and judging by the design they have created for
themselves, they seem to have a fairly decent judgment about what makes an
online experience unique. The websites creative interactivity that is fun and
appealing. This combination brings together a variety of graphics that is
memorable, which is essential to their business’s success.
Throughout this course, I have used
graphics in my blog to express and further enhance my ideas and thoughts. Graphics
create visual interest that brings text alive providing an experience with the
information that makes learning much more interesting than without the
incorporation of graphics. As people, we enjoy looking at graphics which makes
graphics so important to all of the aspects of our lives. My blog has become
more interesting because of graphics as I can allow others to “see” my point of
view.
Jacobson, Robert ed. Information
Design. MIT Press. Massachusetts. 1999. Print.
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Graphics are being used every day whether we realize it or not. Instructional graphics are a life saver for me. Putting toys together or tying a tie or teaching my daughter how to make her bed, it is always easier for me to see it then to teach it by instructing verbally. A long page of instructions is intimidating and then it becomes boring. A picture or two is engaging and educational and is understandable.
ReplyDeleteWe use the colors and shapes that present part of the information that is being shared. Warmer or cooler colors, angels or curves, large or smaller shapes, all these graphics tell the reader immediately what the message is about.
I found your post to be very interesting and your pictures kept me engaged to read more. Great job!