233 TIPS ON GRAPHICS AND VISUAL DESIGN Learn about contrast, repetition, alignment, and proximity. Design is about how the viewer sees elements on the page and where the eye goes to see those elements. Design your page so that the learner follows a pattern. Here are some concepts from a great book by Robin Williams, The Non-Designer’s Design Book, that I use in every design I create: • Contrast is when two elements on the page are different. You can contrast large type and small type; a thin line and a thick line; colors that complement each other, etc. • Repetition is repeating visual elements. This develops the organization and strengthens the unity. • Alignment drives the way the viewer sees the page. Center alignment is rarely the solution because it is hard to read and see what is important on the page. • Proximity is the way that items relate to one another and how they are grouped. It helps organize information, reduces clutter, and gives the reader a clear structure. Follow these rules to create clean, clear, and concise design every time. Once you master them, you can challenge the status quo by breaking them—but not until you know why and how you are changing the rules of the game. Jodi Hinkle, SandRidge Energy Embrace obstacles, challenges, and disruptions, because they are an inevitable part of the job. Rather than viewing these occurrences as negatives, try shifting your perspective: Imagine these situations as fun puzzles that you must piece back together instead of roadblocks you must overcome! Raisa Berkheiser, AOL Know copyright law, and realize you can’t just download images from the web and use them in your training materials without breaking the law and exposing your company—or possibly yourself—to a lawsuit. So you have no budget for stock photos or a professional photographer? Don’t despair—help is no more than an arm’s length away, in your smartphone. Use it to take the photos you need. Look critically at quality professional photography—commercial, journalistic, and artistic—to learn about composition, framing, color, style, etc. Then apply what you learn to the photos you take. Even your phone will allow for editing: cropping, color balance, tonal adjustments, etc. Do you need people to pose in situations that illustrate your course content? Some of your co-workers will undoubtedly volunteer. You can suggest the wardrobe and set up the scenes so they precisely convey your particular message. To avoid legal issues, be sure to get a signed model release from each person before you take the first photo. David Perry, Ford Motor Company Find a mentor to guide you. Also, patience and dedication are needed when learning and applying a skill. Jean Johnson 6 www.eLearningGuild.com