Visual Hierarchy
A visual hierarchy is essential to be able to properly explain a concept. It should be placed in a direction that guides the viewers eyes in either a Z formation or an F formation as referenced on page 161 of Visual Design Solutions. When I came across this image for parents about digital citizenship, I was immediately having a hard time finding the title and where to focus. I wasn't quite sure what the topic was and what I, as a reader, needed to read first that conveyed its message.
So....I decided to simply the concepts by placing the essential idea in a center position with supporting ideas around it. I kept the typefaces similar, but made sure to emphasize the main idea in the center. In addition, I used simple colors that would focus the reader's attention. This example now has a three level visual hierarchy. It begins with the reader knowing the essential topic is being a digital citizen. The second glance brings the reader's attention to focus on the smaller entities of the principles of being a digital citizen. The last level explains where this information was adapted from and gives the source credit.
Visual cues
Maps are hard for anyone to read, most of all for fifth graders that lack a sense of understanding global positioning. Therefore, I came upon a complex map that was using visual cues to identify a place that we study, Darfur, in the Sudan region of Africa. I knew that I could help my students better be able to find this area with adding some new elements to it.
I added a person who was looking up at the question I posted asking the students where Darfur was. I strategically placed his hand on Darfur. In addition, I made sure the map shows Darfur in isolation from the rest of Africa. This allows my students to see that Darfur is on the continent on Africa. I was trying to use typographic clues as well as an eye gaze to recreate a better image for my students.