Design and style

I continue to be convinced at the importance of style and design, including the aesthetic, for communication, but especially for education. And I�m distressed at how little we, as Christian educators pay attention to it. The significance of style and design to learning is an area few of use studied in our formal educational training. So, unless we have a propensity toward the artistic or taken an art history or design course, it�s unlikely we�ll bring those into our ways of teaching or designing curriculum.

I think design and style is an important resource for communicating everything from the mundane sublime to the divine. Here’s one mundane example: today my wife is spending a staff retreat day off-campus from her work (one of those team-building visioning things). I�d been the retreat facility where her meetings will be so warned her about the experience I had there recently in trying to get into the place. I got to the center and the door was locked. So I’m looking around and finally spot a BIG white intercom box with a button on it. So, I press the button. All I hear is a phone ring somewhere, but nothing else.

I push the button again. Same thing. I look around.

I look down and notice a small printed paper sign (a note, really) with LOTS of words taped to the door jamb BELOW the big intercom box. It’s trying to EXPLAIN to me a procedure for how to get in the building (it�s about four paragraphs long in tiny letters). Too many small words on a little piece of paper translates in my brain as “push the button to get in.”

So, I push the button on the intercom again. A phone rings, I’m still standing outside not getting it.

So, now, I’m frustrated and look again at the note and READ all the words. I note that it says to ring the doorbell first before using the intercom. ONLY THEN do I notice that right BELOW the white piece of paper with lots-of-words-on-it is a small black button (practically invisible against the dark doorjamb). I assume that the little black button must be the doorbell.

So, on my third attempt to get in the door I ring the doorbell and sure enough, someone comes out from the kitchen and opens the door.

SOLUTION: a small sign, BELOW the doorbell button, with a red arrow pointing to the doorbell button that reads, “PRESS HERE FIRST”.

MORAL: Paying attention to design and style is important. Assume nothing. KISS. What is obvious to you is not obvious to others. Provide people with the information they need where they need to find it.