eLearning: Color Design Challenges

by Sally Cox  

 

This is the first in a series I am creating on "eLearning Challenges." Over the coming weeks I will address common issues I run into when designing eLearning projects and offer tips for solving them.

 

Color as a Training Aid

I use color to train learners to interact with my eLearning content. For instance, I use a single color for all of my interactive objects. In the image below, there are several interactive buttons. Although the buttons might look different, they are similar in color.

 

 

By only using a specific color on interactive objects, users become accustomed to engaging with the interactive objects. In this case, I would also make all interaction instructions ("Press here for more info," for example) blue as well.

Seeing Red?

 

In my experience, corporate style guides prohibit the use of red unless it's a part of the corporate brand. Another problem with using the color red is readability. When used on text and then viewed on a computer screen (or a mobile device), most learners will agree that the red color makes text harder to read. As an alternative to red, I often use orange. 

Bright Colors

 

I tend to use bright colors in my designs, but I use them sparingly. In the image below, you see a series of nine rectangles on the lower right. Notice which colors grab your attention first. 

 

 

For me, it's challenging to focus on anything in the image above because I am drawn to the bright blue, the neon yellow, bright red, orange, and green. I hardly even notice the dark gray objects. Use bright colors only as needed, and sparingly. Too many bright colors distract your learner and inhibit learning. Notice the more muted, toned down yellow I used for the text boxes. It's a nice shade that is far less distracting than the neon yellow.

Note: The images above are from my YouTube video on this subject; find it here.

 

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