Any raised hands for spending way too long making something "look pretty" instead of grading? Of course. And how could we blame you? Design is FUN!
The good news is, graphic design is about way more than making something look nice. It's the art of organizing and presenting information in a way that helps people focus on what matters most. And although teachers are not graphic designers, the use of text, images, and symbols to communicate is an integral part of the job.
It is iLearnNH's position that understanding basic graphic design principles can help you craft materials that not only look fun and professional but also enhance student learning and engagement.
That said, graphic design is not a science. There are lots of ways to present the same information in different ways, and students' preferences and needs are wildly variable. But there are a few basic tenets we can keep in mind to build learning resources as effectively as possible for the highest number of students-- and have fun while doing it.
Good design isn't about making something pretty. It's about creating a space of clarity and safety in which all students can learn. Simplicity and consistency create clarity and safety.
Rule of Three's
How do you create simplicity, consistency, and clarity in design? Don't fret. Learning a few principles about alignment, typography, and color can go a long way. This resource is designed for busy educators who want to make their materials clear, engaging, and accessible without needing advanced design skills or expensive software.
Consistent Alignment
- Use the same margin size and spacing throughout your document, employing ample white space
- Keep heading and text styles uniform across all materials
- When in doubt, choose left-alignment over centering or justified text
Text = Mood & Feeling
- Choose a sans serif font for a more fun, relational tone or sans serif for more poise and professionalism
- Make sure to use Header 1, Header 2, etc. and not just change the size of the text
- When in doubt, use bolding consistently and italics infrequently
Use Color Purposefully
- Choose a high contrast between text and background color
- Avoid using color as the only way to convey information
- When in doubt, stick to three colors: the background color, the main color, and an accent
