visual slide design for engaging, memorable presentations

Visual Slide Design for Engaging, Memorable Presentations

Michele Van HoeckMargot Hanson

Cal Maritime Library

According to the picture superiority effect, pictures are remembered better than words—especially for casual exposure to information for limited time.

Use pictures and words together so they reinforce the same information for optimal effect.

See this effect used widely in marketing communications, such as posters, billboards, brochures, annual reports, etc.

Visual imagery is a powerful mnemonic tool that helps learning and increases retention compared to, say, witnessing someone read words off a screen.

Garr Reynolds, Presentation Zen Design

Slideument

Picture Superiority Effect:

• Pictures remembered better than words in cases of:• casual exposure• limited amount of time

• Reinforce by using pictures and words together

• Used extensively in:• posters• billboards• brochures• annual reports

Visual imagery is a powerful mnemonic tool that helps learning and increases retention.

Teleprompter

Image from Presentation Zen Design by Garr Reynolds

Text Only

Pictures Only

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%

Recognition Rates

from Brain Rules, John Medina

Visuals support learning

“Several studies show recognition doubles for a picture compared with

text.”

Dr. John Medina, Brain Rules

Dr. John Medinaauthor, Brain Rules

Recognition doubles for a picture

compared with text.

Who is your audience?

From The National Archives (United Kingdom)

One idea per slide1

Preserve“white space”

A slide's message should be able to be processed within three seconds. 3

Make time to translate ideas into pictures

Insert: ShapeTo create visual emphasis

Insert: SmartArtTo show relationships or process

Research Assignment

Thesis Statement

Research Question

Topic

Flight PlanSan

Francisco

Glasgow

RomeAthens

Belize City

More organic farming

More deforestation

More global warming

Article in The Economist says:

Insert: PictureFor emotional impact

Inspiration & Alternatives

Sample slide with bullets

We will select a couple of elements to convert to visual format

Group Practice

Watchstanding• All cadets “stand watch” on the TSGB or on campus• Watches are scheduled in four-hour blocks from 4:30

p.m. until 7:30 a.m. during the week and 24 hours per day on weekends

• Provides security and safety on campus and on the ship

• Part of Leadership Development by providing cadets with increasing levels of responsibility as they progress through their education

All cadets stand watchOn TSGB On Campusor

Watchstanding Hours

12:30-4:30

4:30-8:30

8:30-12:30

Increasing leadership responsibility

Freshmen

Sophomores

Juniors

Open slides you brought with you...

Your Turn!

Make them visual!

Bibliography

Nancy Duarte. Slide:ologySebastopol, CA: O'Reilly Media, 2008

Garr Reynolds. Presentation ZenBerkeley, CA: New Riders, 2010