How to make (and use) Visual Aids for Presentations

Objective: I can list different options for visual aids and analyze what is best for a situation.

These are just the (educated) opinions of one teacher, some of which is backed by facts.

Always defer to what your teacher, boss, or audience expects

Err on the side of caution and professionalism.

DisclaimerThe exact type of presentation expected will vary by the situation.

These are guidelines, not rules.

Lesson Agenda

What is a Visual Aid? Are they Necessary? When (and why) to Use One Types of Visual Aids Choosing the Best Visual for the Situation 3 Philosophies for Slideshows Top 3 Things To Do in Your Next Slideshow Top 3 Things to Avoid What to Do WITH Your Slideshow QUIZ Follow-Up Reading & Bonus Activity

Stay Awake! This is good stuff!

What is a visual aid? Any slideshow, background, prop, costuming, or other

intentional object used to help the audience focus, understand, or engage.

Merriam-Webster: “something you look at (such as a chart or film) that is used to make something easier to understand.”

Definition

NOTE: In both of these definitions, you are NOT limited to posters and PowerPoints!

Examples of Visual Aids Tri-fold poster Flip charts Flat posters PowerPoints or

Slideshows Props or objects Charts & Data Brochures Video & Audio Clips Historical Artifacts Product examples People/cosutmes

Don’t feel limited!

Are they REALLY necessary?In short, usually. • In some speeches or

presentations, the person is the visual. We don’t use them for most…• Debates• Political speeches• Press conferences

• Some speeches desperately need visuals for the audience to UNDERSTAND the topic, like…• Conferences (or TED talks)• Educational settings• Business settings• Product launches

When (and Why) to Use One

In other words, YOU will do a better job with the presentation, AND your audience will understand AND remember it better!

Research has proven why they are necessary, too.• Scientists and educators have

found that “retention of information three days after a meeting… is six times greater when information is presented by visual and oral means than when the information is presented by the spoken word alone”(Source).

• Some studies suggest that about “83% of human learning occurs visually, and the remaining 17% through the other senses.”

• It is also believed that when a visual aid is used, the speaker does a better job of movement and gestures.

Why should we care?

Talk to your neighbor for 1 minute…… about why this quote is a big deal for you NOW, and you in the future.

“In many instances, presentations are the last impression a customer has of a company before closing a business deal”(Duarte 4). Excerpted from Slide:ology.

Besides, YOU should care!

Any careers involving marketing, communications, social media, politics, business, science, or technology may ALL require you to present at some point, to: Customers, reporters, government officials, local

leaders, clients, academics, professors, bosses, etc.

Are they necessary?

Image source

You will need to:• Survive high school• College• Undergrad, graduate,

or professional research

Not convinced?Watch this short video and see how he effectively uses his visuals.

Are they necessary?

How do you decide? It depends on:

Your content Your audience The requirements of

your boss/teacher Your genre The resources

available How you want to be

viewed/ judged

Types of Visual Aids

Factors to ConsiderPaper/Hard Copy

Can you print? Black/white vs. Color? Are you speaking to a small crowd?

(If so, this is fine.) What is your budget for materials?

Do you have the supplies you might need?

What kind of content do you need to display?

Does your audience want a very traditional type of presentation or display?

Is this work going to be hung on a wall, set up in a gallery, or displayed anywhere later?

Digital/ Electronic

Will your presentation site have power, speakers, projector, and/or internet?

Do you need to give your audience a copy of your work?

Do you need certain types of color, data, video files, or other information that makes digital content necessary?

Are you speaking to a large crowd? (If so, this is best.)

Does your audience expect a speaker to be “modern” and tech-savvy? If so, go this route to make a good impression.

Types of Visual Aids

Though most people agree that props and other kinds of visuals are great, slideshows still dominate much of the presenting in the Western World.

This is especially true for students, who might not be able to afford more extravagant options.

Let’s focus on slideshows for a bit. *Note: I am going to use the term “slideshow”, but you can use any software you want – MS PowerPoint, Google Slides, Prezi, Apple Keynote, or something else completely!

There are three main philosophies for how we should make/use slideshows:

#1: “Death by PowerPoint”#2: Carefully-used slideshows#3: Minimalist/modern approach

(This is a big deal.)

*Note: “Death by PowerPoint” is a well-known concept, but the other two names are ones I made up to describe well-known concepts that don’t have names yet.

#1: “Death by PowerPoint”

This is a sarcastic nickname given to any slideshow that uses too much content and not enough images and/or design. Also: Slideshows that are too long, have too many slides, do not

involve or engage the audience, or are presented in a boring way. In fact, some people are SO turned off by traditional slideshows

that they do not permit this style of presenting!

3 Philosophies of Slideshows

However, sometimes this approach is hard to avoid, especially in education, if we have to present a lot of information in a short time. If this happens to you, then PLEASE use as many modern graphic design elements, images, or interactive methods as possible!

#2: Carefully-used slideshows Slightly better than “Death by PPT”, this is a slideshow

that is still fairly traditional BUT uses less text and better design/ images.

Prezi can fall into this category when used well. This is a good starting point to break stereotypes about

PowerPoint!

3 Philosophies of Slideshows

#3: Minimalist/modern approach As many images as possible, OR as

little text as possible on one screen. Great graphic design to emphasize JUST certain things. Usually includes colorful, appealing infographics and data The goal is that the slides SUPPORT a specific point you’re

making, but do not contain all of the text FOR you. (You’re still responsible for verbally stating the message!)

3 Philosophies of Slideshows

What to do WITH your slideshow

Don’t turn your back on your audience. Memorize your content OR make note cards. Practice flipping through the presentation, while standing. Decide how you will flip slides/ click.

Using it correctly

You made one. Now what?

What did we just learn from those 3 philosophies?

• In the 21st century, we are becoming progressively more interested in visuals: graphic design, audio, video, photos, data, etc.

• Your slides need to KEEP OUR ATTENTION.• Therefore, the best presentations will have a good

BALANCE of text and images, preferring images as much as possible.

• Your visual aid should support or emphasize what you’re saying, instead of saying it FOR you!

Quick Review

Top 3 Things to Remember1. Slides with memorable, appealing images2. Simplicity and engagement are valued today3. Use it effectively with your clicker & body

What you SHOULD doImage source

Top 3 Things to Avoid1. Too much text, including outlining/bullet points –

it’s a sign that the slide is doing the work FOR you.

2. Relying on the screen (or reading directly off of it instead of speaking to the crowd)

3. Distracting, flashing, or illegible designs

What you should NOT do

If the presenter is monotone,

didn’t practice, does distracting fidgeting, goes too

slowly, or is a weak presenter for

another reason, the visual aid can’t

completely save him/her.

You are still responsible for pulling off a great

presentation!

Practice, confidence, and professionalism still

matter.

A final note…

The visual aid is only as good as the person using it.

Quiz! 1. List as many types of visual aids as you

can.2. What factors might you consider when

choosing a visual aid and/or type of slideshow?

3. What are the three main philosophies on how to make a slideshow?

4. What do modern audiences want from a slideshow? (What SHOULD you do?)

5. What are the best things to do WITH your slideshow during a presentation?

Review

Follow-Up Reading• 10 tips on how to make slides that communic

ate your idea, from TED’s in-house expert• Create + Prepare Slides• Creating Effective Presentation Visuals• Visual Aids and Props• Slide:ology: The Art and Science of Creating G

reat Presentations• 11 Awesome Slide Titles• Top 9 Visual Slide Mistakes to Avoid• 7 Tips to Beautiful PowerPoint

Interested? Need Help?

BONUS ACTIVITYLet’s critique THIS slideshow. 1. Which slide was your favorite, and why? What was

good about it that makes it an example for us?2. Which slide was the most boring? Why? Was it the

content, or was it something about the slide design?3. What would you rate it (scale of 1-5) in terms of…

• Level of Engagement – did it keep your attention?• Memorable content – did you learn something? Why/not?• Speaker vs. content vs. visuals – if it wasn’t effective,

why?

4. Challenge: Take ONE slide of your choosing and make it BETTER. How could improved content and/or design engage the audience better?