This presentation is a summary of L. L. Lohr's Creating Graphics for Learning Performance: Lessons in Visual Literacy, Chapter 5 -- "Shape Tools." This slide show outlines best practices in visual literacy illustrating the use of shapes in presentations for delivering communications. The show discusses when to use particular shapes, where the shapes should be used, how the shapes should be used, and why particular shapes are used.

1. A Summary of L. L. Lohr's
Creating Graphics for Learning
Performance: Lessons in Visual Literacy,
Chapter 5
Shape Tools

2. Shape Tools: using shapes toShape Tools: using shapes to
create instructional visualscreate instructional visuals
To Focus Attention
To Contain Information

3. Focus QuestionsFocus Questions
 Do shapes have meaning?Do shapes have meaning?
 Can shapes be used to enhanceCan shapes be used to enhance
learning?learning?
 What is a display shape?What is a display shape?
 What do I need to know aboutWhat do I need to know about
copyright laws?copyright laws?

4. Questions to Ask YourselfQuestions to Ask Yourself
When Designing Visuals withWhen Designing Visuals with
ShapesShapes
 What shapes should I use?What shapes should I use?
 Which shapes can I combineWhich shapes can I combine
effectively?effectively?
 Which shapes will help me groupWhich shapes will help me group
and separate information?and separate information?

5. Simple ShapesSimple Shapes
 Circles and Ovals:Circles and Ovals:
 Show unityShow unity
 Imply harmonyImply harmony
 Show processShow process
 Focus attentionFocus attention
 Show elements of systems orShow elements of systems or
subsystemssubsystems

6. Simple ShapesSimple Shapes
 Squares and Rectangles:Squares and Rectangles:
 Act to contain informationAct to contain information
 Facilitate comparisonsFacilitate comparisons
 Show hierarchyShow hierarchy
 Focus attentionFocus attention

7. EXAMPLE: USE OFEXAMPLE: USE OF
SQUARES IN HIERARCHYSQUARES IN HIERARCHY
CHARTSCHARTS
Chief Executive Officer
(CEO)
Chief Financial Officer
(CFO)
Chief Information Officer
(CIO)
Chief Security Officer
(CSO)

8. Simple ShapesSimple Shapes
 Lines:Lines:
 Used to separate and defineUsed to separate and define
 Set boundariesSet boundaries
 Show motion and directionShow motion and direction
 Make connectionsMake connections
 Show sequenceShow sequence
 Show emotion and volumeShow emotion and volume

9. CommonCommon
ShapesShapes TrianglesTriangles
 StarsStars
 SwirlsSwirls
 ArrowsArrows
 BracketsBrackets
 Provide direction, imply motion, organize and unify,Provide direction, imply motion, organize and unify,
make something look engaging or fun, and makemake something look engaging or fun, and make
connections (join items).connections (join items).

10. Complex ShapesComplex Shapes
 Clip ArtClip Art
 Digital ImagesDigital Images

11. WHAT IS AWHAT IS A
DISPLAY SHAPE?DISPLAY SHAPE?
 Choose shapes andChoose shapes and
layouts thatlayouts that
compliment thecompliment the
underlying displayunderlying display
shapeshape

12. Types of GraphicsTypes of Graphics
 Vector GraphicsVector Graphics
 Reshape wellReshape well
 Provide excellent detailProvide excellent detail
 Raster GraphicsRaster Graphics
 Loose clarity with resizingLoose clarity with resizing
 See page 116 of the text for an example of a vectorSee page 116 of the text for an example of a vector
versus a raster graphic.versus a raster graphic.

13. Copyright IssuesCopyright Issues
 If you’re going to borrow, at the very least,If you’re going to borrow, at the very least,
be sure to credit/cite the original creator.be sure to credit/cite the original creator.
 Try to make contact with the creator andTry to make contact with the creator and
receive permission to reproduce.receive permission to reproduce.
 If you have something original, take theIf you have something original, take the
time and expense to get it copyrighted.time and expense to get it copyrighted.

14. Copyright IssuesCopyright Issues
 Further information on copyrightFurther information on copyright
issues may be found atissues may be found at
http://www.loc.gov/copyrighthttp://www.loc.gov/copyright

15. Cite Your Sources:Cite Your Sources:
Credit Where Credit is DueCredit Where Credit is Due
 FidoDido.jpg retrieved OctoberFidoDido.jpg retrieved October
10, 2005 from10, 2005 from
 http://http://
newton.kias.kr/~choims/AboutMe/newton.kias.kr/~choims/AboutMe/
FidoDido.jpgFidoDido.jpg
 11106.jpg retrieved October 10,11106.jpg retrieved October 10,
2005 from2005 from
 http://www.dpi.gld.gov.au/images/1http://www.dpi.gld.gov.au/images/1