On "Visual Design"

Theresa posted some great information regarding Visual Design, stating,

"One of the aspects of Instructional Design that I find the most fascinating is the Visual Design of training or e-learning materials. Bad VD in your e-learning or training can distract and actually deter your learners, whereas good VD can help engage and retain your learners.

A nice little intro/preamble to the value of Visual Design in ID:

• 'After many years (and ugly courses), we’ve come to realize that e-learning needs to be well designed instructionally and visually to capture a return on investment.' Link.

For breakdowns of what is Instructional Design vs. what is Visual Design, see these blog posts:

• 'Great content presented poorly will not reach its audience because learners won’t or can’t get what they need from it. Beautiful eLearning that has irrelevant, inaccurate, or incomprehensible content won’t accomplish its goals because learners won’t get what they need from it. That’s why instructional design and visual design are equally essential to the success of your eLearning projects.' Link.
  
  
• '...knowing your learners needs and your learning goals, having full knowledge of the course's subject, as well as us applying both the Instructional Design and the Visual Design principles ensuring instructional and visual integrity, then and only then you can deliver effective eLearning courses that have the best outcome for your learners and help them gain a meaningful experience.' Link.
  
  

Also, for some really great easy-to-follow tips, see these blog posts:

• Link 1. 
• Link 2."