Improving the Learning Environment

to ACDowd Designs website

Design Tips: Designing for Usability

Designing for Usability > Using Design to Create Flow

One of the best ways to make instruction easier to use is by being consistent. Design a grid to use as your blueprint that integrates design principles, elements and concepts. It helps you to map your positive and negative spaces.

Designing for Usability–Example

Keep navigation predictable. Use "wayfinding" to show location.

Cue the reader in before content changes.

Use an off white background to avoid glare.

Make sure you have contrast between background and text colors.

Use the minimum recommended font size, 12 point type.

Keep the textbox width to about 70 to 80 characters wide.

Do not justify all lines so the edges are even. This creates “rivers” of white in the text and even makes the type move for some people.