Visual Design Solutions: Principles and Creative Inspiration for Learning Professionals

Chapter 13Add Some Excitement

“Design is improvisation.”

— Jessica Helfand

The Framework

THIS CHAPTER answers these questions:

• How can I create an exciting design?
• How can I avoid using lots of bullet points?
• How can I surprise and delight the audience?
• How can I add visual interest on a low budget?

The design process is like walking a tightrope. On the one hand, you want your design to be clean and clear, so the audience can easily understand the content or find the information they are seeking. On the other hand, you want it to be dynamic and energetic, to keep the audience interested and motivated. When you add visual interest, your design will have more appeal.

In this chapter, you will find ways to add visual excitement that won't interfere with the audience getting the message. These ideas are just the start. Once you start, you will find lots of ways to add visual interest yourself.

Bullet Points to Graphics

Fortunately, screens filled with bullets are out of fashion. But not everyone has caught on. With a little care and attention, it's not that difficult to convert bullet points to graphics and improve the visual interest of the screens.

You don't need to exterminate every last bullet list, as they do make important points easy to read. Yet, too many bullet lists becomes repetitive and boring, and what may be even worse, they have a bad reputation. Give the ...