Teaching visual design without instructors

Abstract

This paper presents a preliminary implementation of an online just-in-time self-learning tutorial for college students to learn basic document design skills. This project is motivated by a lack of resources and opportunities for students who are not majoring in visual design to learn basic visual communication skills. The tutorial consists of audio-visual explanations of basic concepts and skills, self-assessment tools for testing declarative knowledge, and guided hands-on exercises with individualized feedback. The results of a pilot evaluation study suggest that certain visual design skills can be taught via this self-learning tutorial.