MODULE -1
Fundamentals of Communication Design
1. What is hierarchy of information in the context of a layout? Explain why it's
important. Give a simple example related to designing a poster for a school event.
The arrangement of information in order of importance.
It's important because it guides the viewer/reader to the most crucial
information first.
Example: On a poster, the event name and date should be the largest and
most prominent elements
2. Describe three different principles that can be used to create a visual hierarchy in
a
design.
Size: Larger elements are perceived as more important.
Color: Bright or contrasting colors attract attention.
Placement: Elements placed at the top or center are usually seen first.
3. Explain how contrast can be used to highlight important elements in a layout.
Contrast:
Using contrasting colors, sizes, or fonts to make certain elements stand out.
For example, using a bright yellow headline on a dark blue background.
4. How does the arrangement of elements on a page affect the user's understanding
of the information presented?
Arrangement and Understanding:
The arrangement affects how easily the user can find information and
understand the relationships between different elements.
A logical arrangement leads to easier understanding
5. Imagine you are designing a website for your school. How would you use the
principles of layout and hierarchy to guide a new student to the most important
information (like contact details and class schedules)?
Place the contact details in a highly visible area, such as the top right
corner of the homepage or in the footer (since users expect essential
information there).
Use bold, well-structured headings like “Class Timetable” or “Academic
Schedule” to make the section easily recognizable.
Use a top menu with intuitive categories (e.g., “Admissions,” “Academics,”
“Events,” “Contact Us”).
Answer the following questions :
1. Explain the four key elements of a communication model: **Message, Channel,
Code, and Context**. Provide an example to illustrate your explanation.
Communication Model Elements:
Message: The information being conveyed.
Channel: The medium used to transmit the message (e.g., speech, email, text).
Code: The system of symbols used to encode the message (e.g., language,
gestures).
Context: The circumstances surrounding the communication.
Example: A teacher (sender) uses spoken language (code) through a lecture
(channel) to convey a lesson (message) in a classroom (context)
2. What is the role of “context” in effective communication?
Give a scenario where understanding the context is crucial to interpreting a message
correctly.
Role of Context: It influences how a message is understood. Scenario: A friend says
"That's great!" The meaning changes depending on if you just told them you won a
prize or broke your leg.
3. Define the term "Code" as it relates to the communication process. What happens
if the sender and receiver do not share the same code?
Code:
A system of symbols. If sender and receiver don't share the same code, the
message will be misunderstood.
4. Give an example where choosing the wrong “channel” could negatively impact
the delivery of a message. Think of a time when you saw someone use an
unsuitable medium to communicate.
Wrong Channel:
Announcing a sudden school holiday via a written notice displayed after school hours
when most students have already left. A text message would be more suitable
5. Explain how a clear and well-structured “message” contributes to successful
communication. What are some things you can do to make sure your message is
understood?
Clear Message:
A clear message ensures that the receiver understands the information accurately.
Use simple language, avoid jargon, and structure the message logically
Activity based questions:
1. Imagine your school wants to encourage students to participate in
extracurricular activities. Using the design thinking process, outline the steps
you would take to create a communication strategy to achieve this goal. Be
specific about each stage and include examples.
Extracurricular Activities Communication Strategy: Empathize: Survey
students to understand why they don't participate. Define: Problem: Lack of
awareness or perceived lack of interest in available activities. Ideate: Create
posters, social media campaign, announcements during assembly, showcase
student work. Prototype: Design a poster and share it with a small group of
students for feedback. Test: Get feedback on the poster's design and
message
