Improving the Learning Environment

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Using Color: Emphasizing Key Elements

Communicating With Color > Emphasizing Key Elements

Color can be used strategically to highlight things you want to draw attention to. It can also be used to color-code and show relationships.

Emphasizing Key Elements—Non-Example

One of the most important uses of color is to direct the viewer's eye. Visually guide learners so that they can find information easily. Think of your instructional design as a map. Sections are labeled and colors match.

Using color and size you can set up a hierarchy to clarify the function of information components. To design with depth use different shades of the same color. Keep the strongest value for the part of your instruction that you want to emphasize the most.

Where you place different colors is also important because colors interact with one another. If you put two colors with the same intensity next to one another, and they are opposite on the color wheel...like red and green...you will create tension. This is counter-productive for most learning, but may serve to emphasize a point. Use strong colors when you want to show importance.