Visual design is an often overlooked component in our LMS courses. According to research, it takes milliseconds for a user to decide whether or not a website is worth the visit; this is especially true for a learning environment. While we cannot control all aspects of what a course may look like in a LMS we can certainly make use of some strategies to overcome them. This master class will provide you with some basic graphic design concepts as well as technical tricks for putting together a visually pleasing e-learning course in Moodle and Totara.

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Lindgaard, Dudek, Fernandes & Brown, 2006

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Norman 2004

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14. Energy, excitement, urgency, boosts
motivation
Optimism, communication, mental
stimulation, boosts creativity (Moodle)
Optimism, intellect, cheerfulness,
boosts memory
Growth, balance, tranquility, peace,
calms nervous learners (Totara)
Peace, calm, trust, transforms complex
subjects to simple (Lambda)
Imagination, fun, sophistication; upbeat,
encourages learners to have fun
Security, friendliness, seriousness,
balances mood

15. Effective graphic design is not a haphazard
collection of elements; it is an arrangement
of objects into a
visual composition with the intention to
communicate effectively.
Balance
Proportion
Dominance
Rhythm
Unity

16. ● Is all about visual equilibrium and the arrangement of design
elements within a composition.
● Elements can have different visual weights dependent on size,
shape or colour.
● Two types of balance
SYMMETRICAL ASYMMETRICAL

17. ● Relationship between objects for the purpose
of weight, distance, interest
● Rule of Thirds
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RULE OF THIRDS
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‘F’ MOVEMENT

22. ● Creates degrees of importance and interest
● Minimizes confusion and draws the eye to the
intended starting point
HIGHLIGHT COLOUR SIZE

24. ● Creates a sense of movement
● Helps to control the pace of flow
● Repetition creates flow and rhythm
REGULAR FLOWING PROGRESSIVE

25. ● When each element has a
clear visual relationship
to one or more other
elements
● Unity is achieved when
○ A composition does not
become cluttered
○ A concept can be clearly
communicated
○ It evokes a sense of
organization

27. BLOCKS LABELS

29. COLLAPSED BUTTONS GRID

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