Examples of bad design

Instructional Technology & Design

Dr. Toledo

Note: This is too much – too much color, too much distracting design

Be consistent with the font

• Do not randomly change fonts– because you get bored looking at the same font

• Use italics, bold, color, and size to emphasize specific points

• Use non-serif fonts for online, projected, or screen communications – Arial, Verdana, Tahoma … not Times New Roman, Book Antiqua, Courier

Be consistent with background

Which is easier to read?

THIS

Note: This background is too busy – check the next slide to see how it can be muted

Be consistent with background

Or

THIS?

Note: This slide is a picture that has been washed out – right click, then click on format picture

Avoid Obnoxious Color Combos

• Choose complimentary colors, not neighboring colors (as above)

• Choose background colors that are easy on the eyes

Note: These colors are very hard on the eyes. Remember, reading off the screen is much more difficult than reading paper. You wouldn’t want to use this much color if you printed this slide anyway.

Using Clip Art & GIFs

Keep it simple

Stay away from distractions

Emphasize – don’t hideousize

Note: There is too much going on here. Choose one graphic.

Using Sounds & Motion

Note: Too much movement, the sound bite is too long for one slide.

Moral

Keep it simple

Make it appropriate for your audience