Much of the eLearning industry is either moving away from, or integrating animation and high quality visual design int their courses. The format of using slideshows and powerpoint presentations can be replaced by, or enhanced by this change.

We have more engaging experiences with animated, and dynamic illustrative visuals. They help learners retain information better, and achieve their goals.

Whether these come from gamified simulations, motion graphics, detailed character animation, or interactive elements. The word is in; great visuals are king.

Good visuals are very important for developing effective courses for a few reasons:

• Visuals keep people’s attention
• Visuals put people at ease and engage a learners curiosity
• Visuals can enhance and help information retention from a course or idea
• Visuals engage a different part of the brain simultaneously with sound or text to enhance learning
• Visuals can add a level of entertainment for the viewer

Animation is particularly effective because one of its strengths is showing abstract ideas in an easy to understand way.

We’re very in tuned with symbols in daily life. Any corporate logo you see is a symbol. Any icon inside of a video game, any emblem on a car, paper certificates, etc, are all symbols that we impart meaning to.

The ability to grasp the abstract makes human beings pretty unique. Capitalising on the same brain structures we have to understand and comprehend symbols can and will help people learn.

Human beings are incredibly visual creatures, so it only makes sense that learning through visuals is one of the ways we learn best.

Lots of our more revered forms of escapism and entertainment these days come in the form of movies, video games, internet videos, etc. All of which are inherently visual media.

Young children tend to learn their behaviors, beliefs and process the world around them through observing and imitating others.

This is why showing and not just telling together with visuals and sound can be a great and practical solution for modern training problems and in putting together effective course materials.

eLearning tends to make this even easier and more consistent. Your message will always be the same, and your visuals can help that message get across easily and effectively in a learner.

Tips for Creating Great Visuals:

Clarity is paramount

• Make sure your visuals are easy to understand
• Don’t over design your visuals unless it’s required
• Ask others for their opinions on something you’re making if you’re not sure if it’s working

Be careful with your colors

• Always use color schemes that intuitively make sense for a given subject matter unless there is a good reason not to.
• Avoid oversaturated or neon colors unless they make sense, many find them hard to look at and digest for long period of time
• Think about the typefaces (fonts) you’d like to use and if they work with what’s you’re creating

Think about the Entertainment Factor

• No one likes to be bored learning something, so finding ways to spice up the experience and make it more engaging with visuals is good
• Can what you’re creating be classified as visually appealing? If not, why not?
• Try and put yourself in the learners shoes.

Good luck! Keep on making great stuff!