How should visuals be incorporated in a set of instructions?

Incorporating visuals within the discussion of related steps in instructions is essential for enhancing comprehension and usability. When visuals, such as diagrams, pictures, or screenshots are connected directly to the relevant step, they provide immediate context and clarity. This direct alignment allows users to easily associate the visual with the specific action they need to perform, thereby facilitating better understanding and reducing the likelihood of errors.

For example, if a set of instructions is guiding someone through assembling furniture, placing an image of the assembly process right at the step where that process is described enables the user to visually match the parts and instructions in real-time. This integration of text and visuals effectively supports varying learning styles and helps users who might struggle with written instructions alone.

In contrast, placing visuals in an appendix or the introduction may separate them from the relevant steps, which can lead to confusion and require users to flip back and forth between sections. This can disrupt the flow of following directions and make it more challenging to complete the task efficiently.