I am on the fence with characters. I really like how the illustrated characters look, but the feedback I get from the photographic ones is that they look more professional. Does anyone have a rule of thumb or thoughts on when to use either type? Do you ever mix them in the same project? Would really like to hear any thoughts....
I'm working on a project for 6-12-year-olds right now, and I'm using both. It actually looks more professional than I thought it would. I think using both can work, even when the audience is adult professionals, especially if your budget is limited--just depends on the design.
I use both depending upon the client and the topic, but I try not to mix them in the same project. The same with clip art and photo quality images, I try to stick to a design feel. The one place I have moxed with good repsonse id illustrated characters places in photos of offices.
Depends on the subject and the audience. I've used illustrated characters for a corporate soft skills course and it really fit in well with the them of the course (Listening Skills). Some other courses are far more serious and you might not want to go with illustrated characters. I could see an instance of using both but you have to really be careful with the treatment and plan your theme properly so they flow together and not just look as if you couldn't decide. For instance, I've seen where the illustrated characters were used as "popups" to deliver instructions on the screen, although the screen contained photographic images.
Depends on the subject and the audience. I've used illustrated characters for a corporate soft skills course and it really fit in well with the them of the course (Listening Skills). Some other courses are far more serious and you might not want to go with illustrated characters. I could see an instance of using both but you have to really be careful with the treatment and plan your theme properly so they flow together and not just look as if you couldn't decide. For instance, I've seen where the illustrated characters were used as "popups" to deliver instructions on the screen, although the screen contained photographic images.
Hi Denise,
Yes, I use them as pop-ups as well. I agree with Rich. I think it generally doesn't look good to mix them.
Sometimes I think that if you're wanting the learner to imagine themselves as the character on the screen, it's better to use illustrations. IMO, if you use a photograph, the learner sees a person more than a character.
Great summary Bob! I was having trouble articulating exactly that!
I have to mention too--I don't mix photographic people with illustrated people, however, I have been known to mix photos and illustrations. It's not always appropriate, but it can be carry some impact.
My manager has a 'corny' factor he uses when reveiwing course design. He is not a fan of clipart and is not a fan of the illustated characters in Storyline because they don't look profesional to him. However, context is everything. If the image is relevant and is used with good course design he rarely has concern when I use illustrated characters and or clip art.
Well said Bob. I may provide your clarification of the two image type to my team.
As to mixing the two, on the surface I can agree that it may not look good. However, design is critical as is relevance. For instance, if you are doing a course for childern you could use illustated images of children and photogragh images of adults to emphasize the difference.
You can also use something like photoshop to create illustrated characters from photographed characters and achieve a professional illustrated image. I've done this in a course before and it looks good.
Just remember, context and relevance are everything in the design of your course.
Hi, Sara -- Thanks for reaching out with your question and reviving this older thread! I know there are some members of the community such as Jerson Campos and others who can create characters to suit your needs, but there are a few other options if you'd like to do it yourself. Please see the following info. or you'd also be welcome to reach out in our design-related forum, Building Better Courses:
Hope that helps, and you are welcome to share your finished product if you'd like to aid others who may be in search of a similar type of characters! :)
10 Replies
I'm working on a project for 6-12-year-olds right now, and I'm using both. It actually looks more professional than I thought it would. I think using both can work, even when the audience is adult professionals, especially if your budget is limited--just depends on the design.
I use both depending upon the client and the topic, but I try not to mix them in the same project. The same with clip art and photo quality images, I try to stick to a design feel. The one place I have moxed with good repsonse id illustrated characters places in photos of offices.
Depends on the subject and the audience. I've used illustrated characters for a corporate soft skills course and it really fit in well with the them of the course (Listening Skills). Some other courses are far more serious and you might not want to go with illustrated characters. I could see an instance of using both but you have to really be careful with the treatment and plan your theme properly so they flow together and not just look as if you couldn't decide. For instance, I've seen where the illustrated characters were used as "popups" to deliver instructions on the screen, although the screen contained photographic images.
Hi Denise,
Yes, I use them as pop-ups as well. I agree with Rich. I think it generally doesn't look good to mix them.
Thank you,
Doug
Sometimes I think that if you're wanting the learner to imagine themselves as the character on the screen, it's better to use illustrations. IMO, if you use a photograph, the learner sees a person more than a character.
To Kristin's point, here is how we view the difference....
Photographed Charaters:
Illustrated Characters:
And no, we try not to mix them as a rule.
Hope this helps,
Bob
Great summary Bob! I was having trouble articulating exactly that!
I have to mention too--I don't mix photographic people with illustrated people, however, I have been known to mix photos and illustrations. It's not always appropriate, but it can be carry some impact.
My manager has a 'corny' factor he uses when reveiwing course design. He is not a fan of clipart and is not a fan of the illustated characters in Storyline because they don't look profesional to him. However, context is everything. If the image is relevant and is used with good course design he rarely has concern when I use illustrated characters and or clip art.
Well said Bob. I may provide your clarification of the two image type to my team.
As to mixing the two, on the surface I can agree that it may not look good. However, design is critical as is relevance. For instance, if you are doing a course for childern you could use illustated images of children and photogragh images of adults to emphasize the difference.
You can also use something like photoshop to create illustrated characters from photographed characters and achieve a professional illustrated image. I've done this in a course before and it looks good.
Just remember, context and relevance are everything in the design of your course.
Can some one recommend a location where I can use/purchase photographic characters that are more waiter, waitress, blue color?
Hi, Sara -- Thanks for reaching out with your question and reviving this older thread! I know there are some members of the community such as Jerson Campos and others who can create characters to suit your needs, but there are a few other options if you'd like to do it yourself. Please see the following info. or you'd also be welcome to reach out in our design-related forum, Building Better Courses:
7 Ways to Create Characters for Your Online Training Courses
A Three-Step Process to Create Hand Drawn Custom Characters
Create Your Own Custom Characters for Online Training
Hope that helps, and you are welcome to share your finished product if you'd like to aid others who may be in search of a similar type of characters! :)
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