In schools around the country, students are increasingly asked to create visual representations of ideas and information. Slideshows, infographics, and websites have become nearly as common as text documents. Years are spent teaching students grammar and paragraph construction so that they can become strong written communicators, but rarely is the same attention spent on the elements of visual communication. Teens regularly share images on Snapchat, Instagram, and Tumblr and use emojis and GIFs to communicate with each other. They are interacting with visuals every day; the goal in teaching visual literacy is to teach young people to think critically about the design that is all around them. AASL's learning standards and the Common Core State Standards point repeatedly to the need for clear, effective communication. In school and at play, students need communication skills that move beyond text. Learning to use design for communication gives students practical, necessary tools for success.