designing graphics for effective use in a videoconference

Effectively For Use in a Videoconference

The rules for producing successful computer graphic designs for video are the opposite of desktop publishing. Choices in text, color, and design vary between the two because they are very different mediums and different rules apply. Graphics for use on television should conform to broadcast guidelines.

Sans serif typefaces (Helvetica, Arial) are more legible than serif typefaces because of their clean letterforms. They are used where quick legibility is vital (street and highway signs), or to catch one's attention with short bursts of type (newspaper headlines). Serif typefaces (Times, Garamond) tend to be more readable for large amounts of text on paper. However, they are ineffective to use as text on the video screen.

The most basic rules for preparing presentation materials are to Keep It Short and Simple, and Keep It Large and Legible. The following tips should provide you with a basic set of graphic guidelines.

1. Keep primary text in the centerAlthough "dead center" is usually an area to avoid in print media, viewers are used to watching video this way. Don't crowd the screen, instead use several screens to focus attention. Use a horizontal page format, and use six words per line and six lines per screen {Rule of Six}. (Figure 1)

Larry Kless, Production Manager,National Video Communications Services, Voice: 8-427-3956 or (510) 987-3956

Fax: (510) 873-5034 Email: [email protected]

Vertical Vertical VisualsVisualsdo notdo not

match thematch theshape of shape of the TVthe TV

monitormonitor

TITLE SHOULD BE44 - 48 PT SIZE

• Bold 30 pt body text• Sans serif typeface• Light text on dark background• 6 words per line• 6 lines per page• Stay within Safe Titling Area

Figure 1: Computer Screen Example

2. Work within the STA (Safe Titling Area)The STA is the cut off area for all screen images. The screen size between computers and TV monitors is not equal, and things can be cut off if they get to close to the edges. Leave at least a one inch border of empty space around each side of the page to be safe. (Figure 2)

3. Avoid thin horizontal lines, single dots, busy patterns and finely detailed gridsAlways use 2 Pt. lines or larger, thin lines just don't cut it. Lines need to be thick and bold or they will flicker. Like thin lines, fine grids, patterns and dots cause flickering and picture distortion also. Avoid shading on printed hard copy because it creates buzzing patterns on camera. Supply details verbally, making charts and graphs simple (Figure 3) . Also, use clip art and flow charts sparingly, remember less is more.

4. Avoid highly saturated colors Chroma crawl can be seen when two neighboring colors (text and background) bleed into each other. . The more saturated your colors are the more chroma crawl is added to the image. Don't overdo your use of color.

AVOID USING RED or GREEN FOR TEXT



Figure 2: Hard Copy “Overheads” Example Prepared in Landscape format

TITLE CANBE ALL CAPS

• Same rules as above (Figure 1)• Black Text + White Background

• No less than 30 Pt. body text• DON'T USE ALL CAPS• Leave an inch border at edges• Use Landscape Orientation

81/2”

11”

Text outside of theText outside of theSTA can be cut offSTA can be cut offwhen going fromwhen going fromthe Computer tothe Computer tothe TV monitorthe TV monitor

Figure 3: Graphic Example

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1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr

Make Charts andGraphs Simple

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WRONGWRONGRIGHTRIGHTFigure 3: Graphic Example

5. Make text large and legible• Use 32 Pt. for body text, and 40 - 48 Pt. for titles. • Use no more than two typefaces per presentation • Use drop shadows to add depth to text, drop shadows help separate text from the

background (Figure 1) • DON'T USE ALL CAPS FOR BODY TEXT, IT'S TOO HARD TO READ!!

(see examples below and Text Tips section)



Bold, sans serifBold, sans serifcharacters arecharacters areeasier to readeasier to readfrom a distancefrom a distance

High contrast with High contrast withwhite text on awhite text on adark backgrounddark backgroundworks bestworks best

DON’T USE ALLDON’T USE ALLCAPS FOR YOURCAPS FOR YOURTEXT, IT’S TOOTEXT, IT’S TOOHARD TO READHARD TO READ

Be Word WiseBe Word Wise

•• Be conciseBe concise

•• Use key phrasesUse key phrases

•• Make a single pointMake a single point

•• Less is moreLess is more

Light, Serif And ItalicLight, Serif And Italic

TYPEFACES ARE MORETYPEFACES ARE MORE

Difficult To ReadDifficult To Read

Do's• Keep text large and legible by using 32 pt for body text, 30 - 45 pt for subtitles and

40 - 48 pt for titles

48 pt serif title: Times Bold32 pt sans serif-body text: Helvetica Bold

• Use sans serif typeface for body text and serif typeface for titles (the opposite of desktop publishing)

• Use no more than two fonts and only one background per presentation• Use white text on a dark blue to black background, this works the best readability

from across the room• Use drop shadows to add depth to text, drop shadows help separate text from the

background• Use fonts like Zapf Dingbats or Monotype Sorts (example below) as bullets, they are

more expressive than Option-8 (•)

Dont's• Don't use Script fonts, they are too fancy for

presentations • DON'T USE ALL CAPS IT'S TOO HARD TO READ!!

All caps works only for TITLES



designing graphics for effective use in a videoconference

Self Improvement

text large

legible use

white text

presentation use

use of color

text outside

separate text

primary text