Revitalize Your Content: Nine Techniques for a Fresh Look

Are you tired of learners falling asleep at their screens? Do you want to create content that not only educates but also engages? Well, it's time to stop the snoozefest and inject some life into your instructional materials!

In this article, I'm going to share nine techniques for modernizing your instructional content and giving it a fresh and dynamic look. We'll be talking about everything from images and design to typography and user-generated content, all with the goal of helping you create materials that your learners will actually want to engage with.

But don't worry, I won't get too technical on you. I'll keep things approachable and even throw in a few nerdy jokes along the way. So, get ready to give your instructional content a makeover and watch as your learners perk up and pay attention like never before!

Technique 1: Use High-Quality Images

Old way: Use low-resolution images with watermarks

New way: Use high-quality, original images with no watermarks

You know what they say, "A picture is worth a thousand words." But what they don't tell you is that a low-quality picture is worth about ten words and a watermark is worth even less. It's time to stop using those grainy, pixelated images with ugly watermarks and step up your image game!

Not only are low-quality images unappealing to the eye, but they can also damage the credibility of your content. Your learners may question the professionalism and reliability of your instructional materials if they're filled with low-quality or (YIKES!) stolen images. Yes, I said stolen - watermarked images are often taken from other websites or sources without permission, and that's a big no-no. So, not only do they look bad, but they can also get you in trouble!

The solution? Use high-quality, original images in your instructional materials. You can find these images on websites like Unsplash or create your own with a quality camera or even your phone. By using high-quality images, you not only ensure that your content looks professional and visually appealing but you also avoid any legal issues that could arise from using stolen images.

Technique 2: Choose a Modern Design

Old way: Use a generic or outdated design

New way: Choose a modern and cohesive design that is visually appealing

Let's face it, we all have a closet full of clothes that we should have thrown out years ago. And just like fashion trends, design trends also come and go. The design choices you made five or ten years ago may now look dated and unappealing to today's learners. So, it's time to refresh your wardrobe, I mean, your instructional materials, with a modern and cohesive design!

But what exactly makes a design modern? First and foremost, modern designs are clean and uncluttered. They use simple shapes, bold typography, and a limited color palette. On the other hand, outdated designs often feature too many colors, busy patterns, and outdated fonts like Comic Sans or Papyrus (yes, I said it).

Another aspect of modern design is cohesion. Your instructional materials should have a consistent look and feel, from the font choices to the colors used. This creates a cohesive and unified experience for your learners. Outdated designs, on the other hand, may feature a hodgepodge of fonts, colors, and design elements that don't work well together.

So, let's ditch those outdated designs and embrace a fresh and modern look for our instructional materials! Not only will this make our content more visually appealing and engaging, but it will also help us stay current with design trends and best practices.

Technique 3: Incorporate Infographics

Old way: Use dense blocks of text to explain complex information

New way: Use infographics to visually represent complex information in an engaging and easy-to-understand way

So, what exactly is an infographic? Simply put, an infographic is a visual representation of information, data, or knowledge that presents complex ideas in a simplified, easy-to-understand format. Infographics can include charts, graphs, diagrams, illustrations, and other visual elements that work together to tell a story or convey a message.

But not all infographics are created equal. A good infographic should be visually appealing, easy to read, and easy to understand. It should use a limited color palette, a clear and consistent font, and a logical and easy-to-follow structure. When done well, infographics can make even the most complex topics understandable and engaging.

Technique 4: Use Iconography

Old way: Use text HTML links to navigate and inform

New way: Use iconography to guide navigation and enhance the visual appeal

Iconography is the use of symbols or images to represent an idea, object, or action. And let me tell you, iconography can work wonders for your instructional materials!

So, how do you create an iconography system for your materials? It's simpler than you might think! First, identify the most important concepts, objects, or actions that you want to represent with icons. Then, create a set of symbols or images that are easily recognizable and visually appealing. These icons can be used for navigation, to highlight important information, or to aid in comprehension.

But not all icons are created equal. A good icon should be easily recognizable, even at small sizes, and should clearly represent the idea or action it's meant to convey. It should also fit within a cohesive visual design that includes a limited color palette and consistent typography.

Whether you're creating an e-learning course or a set of instructional materials, consider using iconography to guide navigation and enhance visual appeal. With a well-designed iconography system, you can make your instructional materials more engaging, memorable, and effective!

Technique 5: Use a Consistent Color Palette

Old way: Use a wide range of colors without regard for consistency

New way: Use a consistent color palette that enhances visual appeal and coherence

It's time to stop the madness and embrace the power of a consistent color palette! Using a consistent color palette can enhance the visual appeal and coherence of your instructional materials.

So, how do you choose a consistent color palette? First, identify the main colors that you want to use for your materials. Then, select a range of shades and tints that complement each other and create a harmonious color scheme. There are many tools available online to help you create a modern color palette, such as Coolors (coolors.co) or Canva's Color Palette Generator (canva.com/colors/color-palette-generator/).

Using a consistent color palette can also help reinforce your branding and create a more professional look for your instructional materials. It can be used to highlight important information, create a visual hierarchy, or simply add visual interest to your content.

Technique 6: Incorporate Animation

Old way: Use static images or text to explain dynamic processes or concepts

New way: Use animation to create engaging and effective visual explanations

Animation is a powerful tool that can create engaging and effective visual explanations for your instructional materials.

So, how do you create animations for your materials? It's easier than you might think! There are many software tools available that can help you create animations with no coding required, such as Adobe Animate (adobe.com/products/animate.html) or Toon Boom Harmony (toonboom.com/products/harmony). You can also use presentation software like PowerPoint or Google Slides to create simple animations.

Animation can be used to show a process or concept in action, highlight key points, or add visual interest to your content. It can also help break up long blocks of text and make your instructional materials more engaging and interactive.

Technique 7: Use Typography Effectively

Old way: Use a limited selection of fonts without regard for legibility, accessibility, or visual appeal

New way: Select and use typography that is visually appealing, easy to read, and enhances the overall design

Typography is more than just choosing a font - it's an art form that can greatly impact the visual appeal and legibility of your instructional materials. Using effective typography means selecting fonts that are visually appealing, easy to read, and enhance the overall design of your materials.

But why is typography so important? Well, for one, the wrong typeface can completely ruin a design. Fonts that are difficult to read, too small, or inconsistent can make your instructional materials look unprofessional and hard to follow. On the other hand, good typography can make your materials more engaging and easier to understand.

Another important consideration when choosing typography is accessibility. Using fonts that are difficult to read or not accessible to people with visual impairments can create unnecessary barriers to learning. So, it's important to choose typography that is legible and accessible to all learners.

By selecting and using typography effectively, you can enhance the visual appeal and overall design of your instructional materials. You can create a consistent and cohesive look that is easy to read and accessible to all learners.

Technique 8: Use Visual Hierarchy

Old way: Present information in a flat or undifferentiated way

New way: Use visual hierarchy to guide the reader's attention and create a sense of order and organization

Visual hierarchy is the use of visual cues to guide the reader's attention and create a sense of order and organization. It's a powerful tool that can help make your instructional materials more engaging and effective.

So, how do you use visual hierarchy effectively?

One way is to use size, color, and contrast to create emphasis and indicate importance. For example, using larger fonts or brighter colors for headings can make them stand out and guide the reader's attention. Another way is to use alignment and spacing to create a sense of order and organization. For example, aligning text or images can create a visual connection between elements and make them easier to understand.

Technique 9: Incorporate User-Generated Content

Old way: Use only professionally produced images and video

New way: Incorporate user-generated content, such as photos and videos, to create a sense of authenticity and engagement

You know what they say, "If you want something done right, do it yourself." But when it comes to creating instructional materials, it's time to let your learners take the reins. Incorporating user-generated content, such as photos and videos, can create a sense of authenticity and engagement that is hard to replicate with professionally produced content alone.

So, how do you incorporate user-generated content into your instructional materials?

One way is to ask your learners to submit photos or videos related to the content you're teaching. You can also curate user-generated content from social media or other online sources that relate to your instructional materials.

Incorporating user-generated content can also help create a sense of community and connection among your learners. By showcasing their work, you can create a shared experience that is both engaging and memorable. And by using user-generated content alongside professionally produced content, you can create a more balanced and varied instructional experience.

Every instructional designer should know some JavaScript. My new book The JavaScript Development Workbook takes a learn-by-doing approach to learning the JavaScript coding language.

With dozens and dozens of code exercises and projects, you'll find this book the best way to get upgrade your JavaScript skills. Order on Amazon.com.