Visual Design

Question 1

What are mental models?

Answer 1

We construct mental models to help remember how things work

Used to simulate what happens to the internal state of a device when certain input is given

Untrained users often have fragmented mental models

Question 2

What does conceptual blends mean?

Answer 2

A theory on human cognition that explains how we use metaphors to establish mental models

Creating a mental model to understand a problem

Question 3

What is the grid layout

Answer 3

A spatial structure that places elements in a non-overlapping way on a (typically rectangular area

Content arranged along grid lies

Relies on the gestalt principle of enclosure

Question 4

What are the 5 key visual design principles

Answer 4

Scale
Visual hierarchy
Balance
Contrast
Gestalt principles

Question 5

What is scale?

Answer 5

The principle of scale refers to using relative size to signal importance and rank in a composition

A visually pleasing design generally uses no more than 3 different sizes

Question 6

What is visual hierarchy?

Answer 6

The principle of visual hierarchy refers to guiding the eye on the page so that it attends to design
elements in the order of their importance

Use; two to three typeface sizes, bright and muted colors, contrast, area and depth

Question 7

What is balance?

Answer 7

Balance occurs when there is an equally distributed amount of visual signal on both sides of an
imaginary axis

Balance can be:

• Symmetrical: Elements are symmetrically distribued relative to the central imaginary axis
• Asymmetrical: Elements are asymmetrically distributed relative to the central axis
• Radial: Elements radiate out from a central, common point in a circular direction

Question 8

What is contrast?

Answer 8

The principle of contrast refers to the juxtaposition of visually dissimilar elements in order to convey the fact that these elements are different

Can be difference in size or color

Question 9

What is gestalt principles?

Answer 9

Gestalt principles capture our tendency to perceive the whole as opposed to the individual elements

Question 10

Explain the 6 gestalt principles

Answer 10

Proximity: Elements grouped together are perceived as a unit

Similarity: Elements similar in shape, size, or structure are perceived as a unit

Enclosure: Elements enclosed in a box are perceived as a unit

Closure: Seeing the whole even when only parts are visible

Continuity: Seeing the whole even if partly occluded

Connection: Elements which share a line between them are seen as connected