VISUAL DESIGN IN ONLINE COURSE DEVELOPMENT: EXPLORING INSTRUCTORS' EXPERIENCES AND CHALLENGES

Research has illustrated the role visual design plays in effective communication and instruction. However, more research has yet to investigate how online course designers (i.e., anyone who designs online courses) add visual appeal to online courses. This study explored the visual design process in online course development. It examines how educators utilize the Thinking, Looking, Doing, and Critiquing (TLD+C) method in online course design, identifying common barriers in applying visual design principles. The research highlights a gap in formal visual design training among instructors and emphasizes the need for institutional support in enhancing visual design in online education. Through semi-structured interviews with experienced educators, the study revealed how design thinking, despite its complexity, is crucial in creating effective and engaging online courses. Keywords: visual design, online learning, course design, instructional design, images, media, accessibility