The most common use of computers in distance education is in the preparation of a visual image that is somehow transmitted to students. This paper addresses some design considerations for computer-produced visual displays that are intended for either local or distant audiences. Advice is offered on all three basic components of information display: (1) creating a pleasingly structured image, including all the elements of screen design like the use of text, color, graphics, animation, and multimedia; (2) creating a meaningful display with graphs and other methods of data visualization; and (3) creating a powerful image, perhaps even with virtual reality techniques. (Contains 9 figures and 26 references.) (BEW)