Visual Aids in Presentations
Using Visual Support Effectively
Why use Visual Aids?
“A picture often says more than 1000 words”• Using visual aids makes presentations more
effective• Well-designed graphics are better to understand
than words alone– They can show how things look– They can show how things work– They can show how things relate to each other– They can emphasize important points
• Complicated statistics are easier to explain with a visual
• Professional visual reflect on the presenter
Media for presenting Visual Aids
• Chalk- and dry-erase marker boards– Effective for on-the-spot clarifications– Effective for recording and organizing audience input
• Flip charts– Relatively easy to use– Portable
Drawbacks– Too small for large audiences– Clumsy
Media for presenting Visual Aids
• Transparencies– Easy to produce– You can draw on them
while you speak– Easy to store
• Handouts– Reduce listener’s need to take notes– Give more details on presented materialDrawback– Distraction
Media for presenting Visual Aids
• Videotape– Effective for illustrating actions
Drawback– Segments are too long– Poor quality of footage
Media for presenting Visual Aids
• Presentation Software– Professional look– Smooth transitions and synchronized timing– Create visuals in many formats– Create charts, graphs, tables– Portability
Drawbacks– Design over content– Too much distraction (Animations, excessive pictures)
Types Visual support
• Diagrams and models– To show the process – Effective in explaining step by step
Types Visual support
• Lists and Tables– Effective for highlighting key facts– Good for comparison of several facts
Year Unemployment rate Rank Percent Change Date of Information
2003 2.90 % 171 2002 est.
2004 2.20 % 176 -24.14 % 2003 est.
2005 1.50 % 11 -31.82 % November 2004 est.
2006 1.80 % 12 20.00 % 2005 est.
2007 2.10 % 17 16.67 % 2006 est.
2008 1.70 % 12 -19.05 % 2007 est.
Unemployment rate Thailand
Source: CIA World Factbook
Types Visual support
Thai
Asian
North american
European
• Pie Charts– Effective for illustrating percentages of a single item
Student Population at MUIC
Types Visual support
• Bar and Column ChartsBar charts
–Effective for comparing several items
Simple column charts–Effective in showing changes in a single
item over time
Multiple column charts- Effective in showing changes for several
items over time
Bar Chart
0 100 200 300 400 500
Business
TIM
Science
Entertainmentmedia
Majors and student enrolment
Simple Column Chart
0
1
2
3
4
5
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Unemployment rate in Thailand
Source: CIA World Factbook
Multiple Column Chart
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr
Bangkok
South
North
Sales Figures per region
Types Visual support• Graphs
– Effective for showing correlation between 2 quantities– Good for showing trends
0
1
2
3
4
5
2000 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Unemployment rate in Thailand
Source: CIA World Factbook
Guidelines for using Visual Aids
• Be sure to have a reason for using a visual aid• Match the sophistication of your visuals to the
audience• Make sure the visual is large enough to see• Keep the design simple• Don’t use excessive text• Use only horizontal text• Don’t display visuals until you are ready for them• Practice using your visuals