What is it?
Instructional design is exactly what it says in the name; instructional. In a society that’s constantly growing and evolving, new things are being introduced daily, some of which are hard to understand/use without some form of instructions. This is why instructional design is crucial to the success of an object/program. It’s there to explain to users how things work and how to operate it/them.
Graphics are ideal when designing a set of instructions. They allow for the isolation of important features and can provide more clarity on movements and actions occurring. There needs to be a balance between text and imagery. When there is too much imagery, one can become easily frustrated, becoming confused when trying to understand what is happening. Below are examples of instructional designs that aren’t functional.
OPSEAT Assembly Instructions
Though the graphics are detailed, there is no sense of movement in the images. Furthermore, the use of lettering in every graphic can confuse and overwhelm the reader.
OPSEAT. (2018). Assembly Instructions. Retrieved from https://opseat.com/assembly-instructions-grandmaster/
Billy Bookcase Assembly Instructions
The graphics are simple and uninformative. There is no sense of movement, making it hard for the reader to understand what is happening.
Ikea. (2019). Billy Bookcase Assembly Instructions. Retrieved from https://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/80429663/
Pan & Tilt Bracket Assembly
The graphics are extremely detailed which can confuse and overwhelm the reader. There is no visible form of instructions, making it hard to understand what an individual must do.
Pan & Tilt Bracket Assembly Instructions. Retrieved from https://www.robot-electronics.co.uk/htm/PanTiltAssembly.htm
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