Harmony and Emphasis: Instructional Challenge

Our assignment this week was to create instruction for a simple concept by creating a graphic. We had to keep harmony and emphasis in mind.

I decided to teach contractions by using 2 equations, one of pictures and the other of words. Connections between the two were displayed through color and placement. Harmony was created by connecting the different parts of the two equations together, utilizing repetition and echo of colors. Echo of colors is seen with each part of the equation. The cupcake without icing and the first word in the contraction are identical. The icing and the second word in the contraction are identical in color. The full cupcake and the contraction have both colors represented to show two separate things join to make a new whole. The plus and equal signs are repeated to show consistency between the equations.

The typography included is centered under each related image. This alignment was used to show relation between the elements of each equation and to maintain equal distance between elements in each equation. Priority in the graphic is given to the visual equation. The visuals are emphasized more by being larger so the concept of making contractions can be more easily understood by young learners.