During the first quarter of the year 2018, I had written a full-length blog on the e-learning graphic design trends of 2018. Today when we have reached the end of another amazing year, isn’t this the time to revisit those graphic trends and review to know how did they fare in the domain of e-learning and what is that we carry forward as E-Learning Graphics Design Trends for 2019.
1.Interactive Infographics
2.High-resolution content
3.3D design
4.Bold colors and bold fonts
5.Color gradients
6.Animations & GIFs
7.Minimalistic design approach
1.Interactive Infographics
In my previous blog, I had mentioned that interactive infographics will be an increasing trend in the year 2018. And as we stand today towards the end of this year, e-learning interactive infographics has become the darling of the e-learning visual designers as they allow the learners to explore a data set themselves.
In the year 2018, interactive infographics were seen more popularly used across the e-learning representing various statistics and concise information. Interactive infographics can even be used as a standalone microlearning tool to act as PST (Performance support tools). Visit this beautiful infographic created to explain the biggest data breaches that happened around the world till 2018.
While interactive infographics are still on demand, 2018 showed a popular trend or rise of animated infographics. The animated infographics show information in motion. They are best used to illustrate processes or systems in which the parts move and work with each other. Here at XLPro e-learning we are already making the best of animated infographics in several of our e-learning projects.You can check a few of the samples by visiting the link here.
2.High-resolution content
Gone are those days of zooming into low-quality pixelated images, with the latest innovations in technology, there are various uses of high resolution and high-quality images that can be zoomed in to notice even the tiniest of the details.
The year 2018 saw the use of high-quality images in the e-learning course. This was especially used and seen in healthcare and pharma industry where the high-resolution images are most useful. Due to the larger size of high resolution images, the high quality images didn’t enjoy a warm welcome in the corporate training world. But now with high speed internet connection and more capable technological system, there is no doubt that high resolution images will be soon gaining more importance.
Click on the link to view a random medical animation that uses high resolution images.
https://youtu.be/HJFuke-86ic
3D designs
The use of 3D designs in e-learning is exciting and is gaining the popularity as predicted. During the year 2018, 3D designs were widely used to create an immersive learning experience. During the year 2018, we saw the increased adoption of high-speed network connectivity like 4G and wider adoption of broadband connections that enabled the faster downloads and seamless playing across the devices. With 3D designs, organisations are trying to leverage the techniques of using e-learning simulations to simulate the real work environment to make the learning look more personalised and relatable
Here is a link to a medical animated video that uses high-quality 3D graphics to train their learners.
https://youtu.be/HJFuke-86ic
Bold colors and bold fonts
As predicted, the bold fonts and colors were the favorites of the graphic designers to create stunning design experiences that suit the modern learners. Surprisingly it was not the graphic designs alone that appeared on bold colors and fonts , but there were many other products like smartphones that took inspiration from the same graphics trend. In the domain of e-learning, the graphic designers could successfully bring the best of these graphic trends .
Here is a screenshot from the popular gamified language learning app -Drops. The mobile learning app uses bold colors and fonts in the app.
Color gradients
Color gradients are not new to the graphics world as in the past graphic designers tried experimenting with gradients to bring a unique appeal to the graphic designs which later died off. I am sure that we still have the cool old memories of creating unique colored text by mixing the gradients in WORDART .
In the year 2018, we saw the rebirth and frequent use of color gradients in the e-learning to create bold statements and channel the learner emotions as well as helping audiences connect with a product or an idea. Gradients allow the designers to create something new by blending colors.
Here is an example of a scenario based e-learning sales training that used the color gradient to a good effect. Instead of choosing a flat color alone, the effective use of color gradient has made the e-learning look visually stunning.
6.Animations & GIFs
The year 2018 didn’t saw the increased adoption of animations and gifs in e-learning. With the arrival and rising popularity of microlearning and mobile learning, animations were widely used like animated explainer e-learning videos to explain complex learning topics, including animations in the e-learning course and more.
While the animations continue to be a favorite, the year 2018 saw the rising popularity of micro interactions . Microinteractions are small moments where the user and design interact. When they’re well designed, micro interactions can enhance the user’s experience with the design.
In e-learning, micro-interactions are increasingly used to guide the learner attention to the desired process, area etc. For example, if you have seen a glowing trophy after clicking the correct answer or a progress bar’ , the next and previous button etc in your e-learning can be animated with micro animations.
In the above example, after choosing the correct answer, when you earn a star the star grows and fills in the star placeholders. This micro interaction is able to capture the learner attention and at the same time create learner engagement.
Minimalistic design approach
The design principle of minimalistic design approach is -Less is more. If you are an advocate of minimalistic design, the year 2018 was yours. Graphic designers enthusiastically embraced the minimalistic design approach which was once considered not good. Below is a screenshot of an e-learning module on health and safety issues at the workplace. The minimalistic design approach here has fared well to make the e-learning course look neat and beautiful.
It was a delight to see the success of the e-learning visual designs that we had predicted. With just a couple of days remaining to complete another stunning year and with 2019 already knocking on the door, let’s thank the year 2018, which I believe was a landmark year for the e-learning visual design.
I wish all my readers a very happy new year 2019!
