An important principle for building any type of instruction is to present your message, and only your message. Confounding your message with superfluous graphics, animations, sounds, colors, or activities that might distract the learner simply increases the likelihood that the message will not be received as intended. Communications theorists would refer to such superfluous and distracting elements as "noise". In designing screen displays, be minimalist in your approach. Think "lean." Avoid complex or "busy" backgrounds *. At the risk of being accused of being demeaning and politically incorrect, we reiterate a time-honored maxim: KISS (Keep it simple, stupid!). p. 1 of 10