Exercise Three - Anna, Anthea, Hayley, Komal & Nicole

Alignment
Alignment is the placement of text and graphics in relation to other objects. It is one of the principles of design that help us create unity, attraction and readability.

We use alignment to:
• create order
• organize page elements
• group items
• create visual connections

Good alignment is invisible. Most readers will not consciously notice that everything is lined up neatly but they will feel it when things are out of alignment.

There are several types of alignment that can work together to create a pleasing layout:
• horizontal alignment - left and right margins are visually equal
• vertical alignment - top and bottom margins are visually equal
• edge alignment - lines up text or objects along their top, bottom, left, or right edges
• center alignment - may be horizontally or vertically aligned, or both
• visual or optical alignment - objects may not be precisely aligned but to the eye they appear lined up

Layering
Layers are used to work on individual parts of an image while not affecting other parts. You might say that layers are like transparency papers stacked on top of one another which can be repositioned and separately drawn on without disturbing each other.

There are two types of layering:
• two-dimensional layering - the viewer can only see one layer of information at a time. They can be either linear, which are used for stories that have a clear beginning and ending, or non-linear, which are used when a reinforcement in a relationship between layers is needed. Two-dimensional layering is used to manage a problem through information.


• three-dimensional layering - the viewer can see multiple layers of information at a time. They can be viewed as either opaque or transparent groups of information, which lay on top of each other. Three-dimensional layering is used to expand on information and show ideas without changing the subject matter.


Signal-to-Noise Ratio
Signal-to-noise ratio refers to the amount of relevant information vs. irrelevant information in a design. The signal is the information intended to get through, and the noise is extraneous information that degrades the signal. A high signal-to-noise ratio is desired in any design, where the clarity of the signal is not clouded by the useless information that is the noise.

Maximizing signal means communicating clearly and efficiently, with a clear and simple presentation of information. For example, using the wrong type of graph can manipulate the signal and distort the fundamental information that is trying to get through. Maximize signal-to-noise ratio by keeping the design simple, enhancing key elements and minimizing or removing unnecessary clutter.

Minimizing noise means avoiding excess and keeping things as simple and concise as possible. For example, thinning out the lines on a graph, removing unnecessary patterns or details, and even minimizing the necessary elements to the point at which they are still functional.

HIGH SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO

LOW SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO


Highlighting
Highlighting is a way to increase the importance to a certain area, and to grab the viewers’ attention first. Highlighting words or images in small amounts works, as well as changing certain aspects of the type such as the case, italics, underlining, and most commonly bolding. Changing or adding colour, as well as inversing the colours already present works well in small doses and in conjunction with other methods. Blinking or flashing is very effective but it draws all attention to itself and therefore takes away from the data overall.