With my instructions I am using 7.5 x 10 paper for both my novice and experienced. For the novice i am trying to islolate the steps with boxes. Trying to make the appeance less intimidating. Using attrows to help guide the novice through the steps. For the Experienced I am having the instructions steps seperated by horizontal lines, and being easy to follow. Both documents are going to include photos to help guide the user through the steps.
Visual Appeal and Column Consistency
The novice instructions look pretty good. I like the individual boxes for each step, as well as the red color. It looks like an appealing format. The experienced instructions, however, seem a little boring. I'm not sure that the olive green would hold my interest. I also noticed that your photo examples have different dimensions, yet your thumbnails include the same size photos in each step. Another thing you may consider is the use of consistent columns in your novice instructions. I'm not sure that the text and photos should switch sides between steps (i.e. the third box has the photo on the left and the fourth box has the photo on the right). The experienced instructions have columns that are more defined.
Graphics and Thumbnails instructor feedback: Zebulon
It looks as though you have a solid start here. I'm curious why you are using 7.5 x 10 as your dimensions. Does this smaller size make your instructions fit somewhere particular, or is there another reason that this specific size is appropriate to your situation and audiences?
I am a little curious about how the two structures reflect the different needs, expectations, and values of the two audience groups. We do want to keep in mind that we want to stay user-centered and view our audiences as discreet groups rather than people only differentiated by knowledge and experience.
I like that you're getting a consistent look to your photos. The image of the rice cooker seems to have a bit of motion blur. You might consider retaking that one.
Instructions flow
I think your novice instructions are a very good design. Especially having each step outlined and clearly defined what graphics and text belong with each step. I also think that the arrows going from one step to the other are a good idea and make sure there is no way a user can become confused after completing a step. They just have to follow arrow from one step to the next. Your expert instructions though seem a little bit bland compared to your expert one. I would maybe at least add a different color that helps it stand out more and grab the readers attention.
Patrick Griffin
pgriffin@purdue.edu