Message design guidelines for screen-based programs

This paper discusses message design for screen-based (computer and video) instructional programs. Message design is defined as the art and science of planning for the manipulation of the physical form of the message. Including a comprehensive literature review, this paper supplies information based on personal experience. There are three main purposes for this work. The first purpose is to present a compilation of present conventions. The second purpose is evaluating these conventions in terms of their current relevance. The third purpose is to suggest a new set of guidelines for the instructional designer or message designer creating screen-based instructional programs.