Autor: Jan Wohlmuth

With another participant ready, I continued testing the effectiveness of my static and animated origami instructions. As predicted, step number 6 was anticipated to be challenging, and I was prepared to provide the animated version if the participant encountered difficulties.

Personal Data of Test User

• Gender: Female
• Age: 52

Test User 2 had no previous experience with origami. This made her an ideal candidate to test the clarity and accessibility of the instructions, especially for beginners.

Testing the Static Instructions

I observed and timed Test User 2 as she followed the static instructions.

• Time Spent: 3 minutes 54 seconds

Challenges and Observations

As predicted, she encountered difficulties with step 6:

• Step 6 Issue: She incorrectly folded the head of the duck over the body instead of inward. After pointing out that her fold was not correct, she admitted she didn’t know how to proceed.
• Solution: I showed her the animated version of step 6. Upon viewing the animation, she understood the correct fold and was able to complete the origami instruction correctly.

Another problem came up at step 5:

• Step 5 Issue: She initially folded the duck in half in the wrong direction but quickly realized her mistake and corrected it.

The origami duck when folded incorrectly at step 6

The origami duck folded correctly after I showed the animated step

Reflections and Insights

The second test provided additional valuable insights:

1. Impact of Experience: Unlike the first participant, User 2 had no prior origami experience, which significantly impacted her ability to follow the static instructions, particularly at the more complex steps.
2. Effectiveness of Animated Instructions: The animated instruction for step 6 proved crucial in helping the participant understand and complete the fold correctly. This supports the hypothesis that animated instructions can clarify difficult steps.
3. Additional Complexities: The mistake at step 5, despite being corrected quickly, indicates that even seemingly straightforward steps can cause confusion. This suggests a need for ensuring clarity at every stage of the instructions.

With the instructional design complete, it’s time to start testing. My prediction is that step number 6 might pose a challenge, as it’s one of the more difficult steps in the instruction. To investigate, I will have my test user go through the instruction, and if she encounters any problems and can’t proceed, I’ll show her the animated version of the step to see if it clarifies the process.

Personal Data of Test User

• Gender: Female
• Age: 23

My first test user already has some experience with origami. She mentioned that she often folds cranes or looks up new instructions when she’s bored, suggesting she might be more skilled than other test participants.

Testing the Static Instructions

I tested the static instructions with her and recorded the time she needed to complete the task.

• Time Spent: 2 minutes 17 seconds

After completing the task, I had a talk with her. She didn’t encounter any problems with the static instructions but noted that others who have never done origami might struggle with step 6.

As you can see in the picture Fold 6 can be quite tricky because you have to fold the head of the duck inwards and not just over the body like some might assume.

Reflections and Insights

The first test provided valuable insights:

1. Experience Matters: The test user’s familiarity with origami likely contributed to her smooth completion of the instructions. This underscores the importance of considering the participant’s skill level in my analysis.
2. Step 6 Concerns: Despite not facing issues herself, the user acknowledged that step 6 could be problematic for beginners. This aligns with my prediction and highlights the need to pay close attention to this step in future tests.
3. Potential of Animated Instructions: Although the static instructions were sufficient for this experienced user, the real test will be to see how beginners fare and whether the animated instructions can bridge any gaps in understanding.

Origami Duck of Test User-1

In another lecture we were tasked with finding a research question to our topic and think about different complexities that might occur on our planned project. Overall my project explores the optimal design of instructional materials, focusing on illustrated, animated, and video instructions. The central problem I aim to address is determining the most effective format for teaching motor skills.

Primary Research Question

My primary research question could be:

„Are animated instructions alone superior for motor skill learning, or does a combination of illustrated and video instructions yield better results?“

To answer this, I will investigate the efficiency, clarity, and learner preference for each type of instructional design. The ultimate goal is to provide evidence-based recommendations for creating the most effective instructional materials for motor skill education.

Complexities in the Project

After a recent discussion with a colleague, I’ve identified several complexities in my project that need careful consideration:

1. Varied Skill Levels: One significant challenge is that people have different levels of skill with their hands, which could impact the results of experiments involving tasks like origami folding or knot tying. To account for this, I need to consider a diverse group of participants with varying skill levels.
2. Interdisciplinary Perspectives: To find the best ways to teach motor skills, I must explore different viewpoints from fields such as education and psychology. This will help in understanding the cognitive and behavioral aspects of learning motor skills and how instructional materials can be optimized accordingly.
3. Learner Preferences: Individual preferences play a crucial role in learning. Some learners might favor illustrated instructions for their simplicity and ease of reference, while others might prefer the dynamic and detailed nature of video or animated instructions. Balancing these preferences and determining which method provides the most overall benefit will be key.

For the design of the instructional materials for my origami experiment, I focused on ensuring clarity and ease of understanding without relying on words. The goal was also not to make them look perfect but rather a quick approach to start testing with small experiments. Here is a look into the process and considerations that went into designing both the static and animated instructions.

Instructional Design Considerations

To make the instructions universally understandable, I used the following visual strategies:

• Color Coding: The paper’s front side is shown in white, and the backside in orange. This distinction helps users follow the folds more easily.
• Outlines and Creases: The paper always has a black outline to define its shape. Creases from previous folds are shown in grey, while creases needed for the current fold are illustrated with dotted lines.
• Depth Indication: In later stages, a darker orange shade is used to show depth, making complex steps clearer.

Creating the Static Instructions

For the static instructions, I used Adobe Illustrator. For visual aid, arrows were added to guide users through the folding process, enhancing understanding at each step. Each fold is depicted clearly, with emphasis on the transition from one step to the next, ensuring that users can follow along without confusion.

Creating the Animated Instructions

The files for the animated instructions were prepared in Illustrator and segmented into different layers to prepare them for animation. These layers were then imported into After Effects for animation. Unlike the static version, no arrows were used. Instead, the animation relied on the movement of the paper to convey the steps, allowing users to follow the folding process through motion.

Ready for Testing

I am now prepared to test the instructions effectiveness. The next step is to gather feedback and observe how users interact with each type of instruction, aiming to find insights into the strengths and weaknesses of static versus dynamic instructional methods.

On my way to find the perfect fold instruction which has a balance between complexity and accessibility for my experiment, I embarked on a personal journey of exploration with both illustrated and animated instructions. I ultimately settled on an instruction of an origami duck for my experiment but before that I did a lot of other origami instructions in video form and in illustrated form. Here’s what I discovered along the way:

Video Instructions: 

Video instructions proved to be a helpful resource, particularly for mastering difficult folds. However I often found myself hitting the pause button repeatedly to catch up or rewind to review a specific step. Additionally the hands of the person demonstrating the folds sometimes hindered my view, making it challenging to follow along accurately. Fortunately, for my experiment, animated instructions will eliminate this issue, as there will be no hands to obstruct the view.

Illustrated Instructions: 

On the other hand, illustrated instructions offered a different set of advantages and challenges. I appreciated the ability to take my time and proceed at my own pace. However I encountered difficulties with more intricate folds, especially when arrows were the only guidance I had.

I also noticed that steps were easier to follow when they were presented side by side, allowing me to see the progression from „before“ to „after.“ When this visual continuity was lacking, I found myself constantly scrolling back and forth between steps to ensure accuracy.

Conclusion:

Reflecting on my experience, I believe that animated origami instructions have the potential to strike a balance between the benefits of video and illustrated instructions. With animated visuals, I can simplify complex folds, segment steps for clarity, and eliminate visual obstructions like hands. As I prepare to launch my experiment, I’m excited to put my insights into practice and explore the effectiveness of animated instructions in motor skill learning.

As I transition into the experimentation phase of my research, I’m eager to dive into the world of instructional design with a hands-on approach. My first experiment will focus on comparing illustrated and animated instructions, with origami as the chosen task. Why origami? According to my research, motor skills are easier to learn with animated instructions, thanks to a concept called mirror neurons.

Mirror Neurons

Mirror neurons are special cells in our brains that fire both when we perform an action ourselves and when we see someone else perform the same action. This mirroring effect helps us learn and understand motor skills more effectively, making animated instructions particularly suitable for tasks like origami. Also origami is a simple yet versatile art form that only requires a piece of paper to get started. With its various folds of different difficulties, it offers the perfect canvas for my experiment.

Origami

Before diving into the experiment, I want to take a moment to explore what origami is and its history. Origami is the Japanese art of paper folding, derived from two words: „ori“ meaning folding and „kami“ meaning paper. It dates back to the 17th century and has since evolved into a globally recognized form of artistic expression and education.

Choosing the right fold

Now onto the task of finding suitable instructions for my experiment. I want instructions that strike a balance between complexity and accessibility. They shouldn’t be too simple, as I want to challenge participants and observe potential differences between illustrated and animated instructions. However, they also shouldn’t be overly difficult, as I want participants to be able to complete them with some practice. Additionally they should contain one tricky step to see how participants fare with each type of instruction.

Origami Duck

To ensure the quality of my experiment, I’ve decided to test out several instructions on my own before selecting the final ones. This hands-on approach will help me choose the difficulty level and identify any potential issues or struggles. After some time I settled on an instruction about an origami duck which has the right level of difficulty for beginners.

Ultimately my goal is to design a set of instructions that will provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of illustrated versus animated instruction methods. With my plans in place I’m excited to embark on this journey of experimentation.

Sources:

https://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/mirror-neurons-how-we-reflect-on-behavior

https://study.com/academy/lesson/history-of-origami.html#:~:text=The art of paper folding was popularized in Japan, but,to decorate temples and shrines.

https://origami.me

In the previous semester, I explored the advantages and disadvantages of static and dynamic instructions to optimize user understanding. Animated instructions were found to excel in teaching motor skills, offering users control over the pace of instruction and aiding in step-by-step comprehension. However, they may be less effective for highly complex topics and could lead to cognitive overload if not properly segmented. On the other hand, illustrated instructions shine in conveying detailed information for complex subjects and meet the needs of varied learning preferences. They are preferred in scenarios where physical manuals are necessary.

This semester, I’m shifting towards experimentation. I’ll be conducting small-scale experiments to delve deeper into the effectiveness of both instructional methods. Looking back, my discussions about static versus dynamic instructions gave me lots to think about. I learned about how our brains process information and how visuals can help or hinder that process. Now, it’s time to put some of those ideas to the test.

What is planned?

One idea is to compare illustrated instructions with animated ones. I could see myself for example designing instructions on how to fold origami. I could create both types of instructions and see which one works better. Here I would like to focus on quality research instead of quantitative research because it will be hard to find enough participants to have a significant outcome. So the plan is to find a few people to test these instructions on and maybe have a little interview or questionnaire afterwards to find potential struggle points or if they preferred pictures or animations. These conversations can give me deeper insights into how people interact with instructional materials.

Another idea is to analyze existing experiments about the topic of illustrated vs animated illustration. There is a lot of research out there already and I can learn from what’s been done before. By taking a deeper look into these studies I can pick up some tips to make my own experiments better and maybe compare some outcomes.

In summary, this semester is all about starting to experiment and seeing what works in instructional design. By keeping things simple and focusing on quality, I am sure I will be able to uncover some interesting insights in the field of instructional design.

In this last blog post I would like to explore the advantages and disadvantages of both approaches, shedding light on when to use each method to optimize user understanding.

Advantages of Animated/Video Instructions:

• Motor Skill Learning: Animated instructions excel in teaching motor skills, leveraging the mirror-neuron system for enhanced comprehension. Activities like folding origami or tying knots benefit from dynamic visualizations.

• User Control: Giving users control over the pace of instruction, with features like pause, replay, or speed adjustment, provides a personalized learning experience.

• Step-by-Step Comprehension: Complex procedures are better broken down into smaller, sequential parts in animated instructions, aiding in step-by-step comprehension.

Disadvantages of Animated/Video Instructions:

• Effectiveness in Highly Complex Topics: Animated instructions may be less effective when dealing with intricate and complicated subjects, such as understanding weather maps. Static instructions may prove more suitable for conveying detailed information.
• Potential Cognitive Overload: Without proper segmentation and clarity, animated instructions might overwhelm users, leading to cognitive overload and reduced understanding.
• Varied Effectiveness: Studies show mixed results regarding the effectiveness of animated instructions compared to static ones. Factors such as design, content, and user preferences play a crucial role.

When to Choose Illustrated Instructions:

• Highly Complex Topics: For subjects that require detailed analysis and where each element holds significance, illustrated instructions can provide a clearer and more focused presentation.
• Varied Learning Preferences: Some users may prefer still images and text over dynamic visuals. Offering both options caters to diverse learning styles.
• Printed Manuals: In scenarios where physical manuals are preferred or necessary, illustrated instructions maintain relevance.

When to Choose Animated/Video Instructions:

• Motor Skill Acquisition: Tasks involving physical actions or manipulations benefit from animated instructions, leveraging the mirror-neuron system for effective learning.
• Interactive Learning: Animated instructions allow for interactive elements, enhancing engagement and knowledge retention. Users can actively participate in the learning process.
• User Engagement: In scenarios where maintaining user interest is crucial, animated instructions can captivate attention and deliver information in an engaging manner.

Conclusion:

In instructional design, the choice between illustrated and animated instructions depends on the nature of the content, the complexity of the subject matter, and the preferences of the target audience. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each approach, instructional designers can craft effective learning experiences that cater to diverse needs and optimize user comprehension. Whether opting for the clarity of still images or the dynamism of animations, the key lies in aligning the chosen medium with the instructional goals and the special characteristics of the learning material.

In this blogpost I would like to focus on the topic of cognitive load and how it can be used to optimize cognitive capacity in animated instructions. Three sets of design guidelines emerge from this research.

Guidelines to Tame Complexity

Decrease intrinsic cognitive load

(How hard a task is for your brain to handle without considering external factors)

• Sequence of simple-to-complex whole tasks: Start with animated models that demand the integration of basic skills and knowledge. Gradually increase complexity, like transitioning from a pin code of four numbers to six.
• Pretraining: Introduce isolated components before animated interactions. For instance, familiarize learners with key terms before immersing them in an animated model.

Guidelines to Sidestep Obstacles

Decrease extraneous cognitive load

(The mental effort caused by unnecessary or irrelevant information during a task)

• Pacing: Empower learners to control the tempo of the animated model. Features like pause, play, or slider bars provide flexibility.
• Segmentation: Divide animated models into meaningful segments, aligning with critical parts of a procedure or process.
• Modality principle: Present textual explanations in spoken format within animated models.
• Contiguity principle: Ensure textual explanations are presented consistently in time or space within the animated model.
• Signaling or cueing: Integrate cues to guide attention and prevent unnecessary visual searches.

Guidelines to Boost Engagement

Increase germane cognitive load

(The mental effort related to meaningful learning and understanding of new information during a task)

• Expectancy-driven methods: Prompt learners to predict the next steps in a process within animated models.
• Subgoaling: Encourage learners to group coherent steps into meaningful subgoals.
• Imagination: Stimulate learners to imagine procedures and concepts presented in animated models.
• Variability: Present problems that vary in relevant features, keeping learners engaged and adaptable.

In summary, these guidelines provide an overall framework for creating impactful animated models. It serves as a roadmap for designers to balance complexity, user engagement, and cognitive load. Following these principles can elevate animated models from simple visuals to effective tools for comprehension building an intersection of cognition and creativity.

Sources:

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.3102/0034654308320320

https://www.skillcast.com/blog/instructional-design-best-practices

Traditionally assembly instructions have been conveyed through manuals filled with text and illustrations. However, in the global landscape, designing assembly instructions without words becomes essential for a universal understanding.

Visual communication has emerged as a game-changer in assembly instructions. It serves as a universal language, breaking down language barriers and catering to a diverse audience. Here are some reasons why designing assembly instructions without words is gaining popularity:

1. Increased Clarity and Accuracy:

Visual communication excels in conveying complex information with clarity. Step-by-step visual guides can seamlessly communicate the assembly process, making it more accessible for users to comprehend and follow. Crucial points and potential errors can be highlighted through images, contributing to a more accurate assembly process.

2. Time and Cost Savings:

Translation of text-based instructions into multiple languages is both time-consuming and expensive. Designing assembly instructions without words eliminates the need for translation, saving both time and money.

3. Improved User Experience:

People inherently learn better through images and visual aids. The use of images in assembly instructions enhances the overall user experience by reducing frustration and errors. Visual communication creates a more user-friendly environment, making the assembly process not just efficient but also enjoyable.

Examples of Successful Implementation:

There are a lot of companies which have successfully adopted a wordless approach to their assembly instructions, showcasing the power of visual communication:

IKEA Furniture Assembly:

IKEA, known for its flat-packed furniture, employs simple illustrations instead of text-based instructions. The result is an efficient and enjoyable assembly process that caters to a global customer base.

LEGO Building Instructions:

Lego’s wordless instructions cater to its diverse audience, including children. Step-by-step visual guides make the building process enjoyable for users of all ages.

Dyson Vacuum Cleaner Assembly:

Dyson utilizes simple visual guides for the assembly of its vacuum cleaners. The approach aligns with the company’s minimalist design philosophy.

Methods to Design Wordless Assembly Instructions:

To delve into the realm of assembly instructions without words, various methods and tools can be employed:

When crafting assembly instructions without words, various methods and tools come into play. One approach is sketching, where visual instructions are hand-sketched, offering flexibility in design and simplicity without the need for specialized software. Alternatively, vector graphics software like Adobe Illustrator is employed, providing the means to create precise illustrations and diagrams—ideal for technical illustrations with the added benefits of versatility and easy editing. Another option is utilizing flowchart software such as Lucidchart or Visio, which allows the creation of step-by-step diagrams, offering clear and easy-to-follow visual representations of the assembly process. For those seeking dynamic and engaging instructions, animation software like Adobe After Effects or Blender comes into play.

In conclusion, the shift towards designing assembly instructions without words is a powerful move towards universal understanding. Visual communication enhances clarity, saves time and costs, and elevates the overall user experience. Companies like IKEA, LEGO, and Dyson exemplify the success of this approach.

https://graphics.stanford.edu/papers/assembly_instructions/assembly.pdf

https://www.cadasio.com/post/designing-assembly-instructions-without-words