MLSD 500: Leadership Found in Research
A500.8.3RB – Good Presentation
Design
Submitted to ERAU Worldwide
in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements of the
Degree of MBAA
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Worldwide
Online Campus
September 30, 2015
HOW TO ROCK YOUR PRESENTATION!
The
backlash to the traditional PowerPoint has started. There are ways in which we
can improve our effectiveness and allow our content to connect in more powerful
ways. One key concept is simplicity. Making the simple complicated is
commonplace; making the complicated simple, that is creativity (Reynolds, 2015).
One key
factor for consideration is how the audience will actually process the
presentation. A design must take advantage of how people process information.
People process information is three ways: dual-channels, which is having
separate information that separates visual and verbal material; limited
capacity, where people can pay attention to only a few pieces of information in
each channel at a time; and active processing, understanding the presented
material when the audience pays attention to the relevant material. That means it is organized in a coherent
mental structure and integrated within their prior knowledge (Reynolds, 2015).
Multimedia
combines the use of several media or medium of expression or communication,
such as sound/narration and images. The
results are more impactful and memorable than single mediums. Modality
principle focuses on audio narration over on-screen text, particularly for
complex presentations, as in these cases, the concept is that people learn
better when words are presented as narration rather than text. The redundancy
principle states that people learn more readily with narration and graphics/animation
and that text is not necessary. And, the coherence principle asserts that
people learn better when extraneous visual material is excluded (Reynolds,
2015).
When creating
a PowerPoint presentation, one should limit the use of slide information, as that
it overloads people's cognitive systems. Successful PowerPoint presentations use
verbal and visual methods, limiting them to three seconds for effective comprehension.
Following these recommendations, the presenter will be assured of targeted
learning capability. A good presentation guideline will include the following
elements: a targeted end as an initial
step; creation in analog mode; and, cultivation of a sense of community. It is
best to avoid reading from slides, and instead to include pamphlets for
distribution after the presentation. It
is always best to keep it simple (Reynolds, 2015).
People
respond well to PowerPoint presentations that use high-quality graphics,
photography, slide transitions, and video and audio (Reynolds, 2015).
When delivering the presentation, one should pretend that everyone in
the audience is naked, connect with the audience by making eye contact and
smile (my late grandmother was a very famous politician and these were her
words of wisdom and advice)!
Contrast is
what we notice, that is, how things differ, and it is what gives a design its
energy. Contrast is one of the most powerful design concepts of all, because
any design element can be contrasted with another. It can be achieved through
manipulation of space, colored choices, text selection, and the position of elements.
Contrast allows the viewer to understand the point of the design quickly. Every
good design has a strong and clear focal point and having a clear contrast
among elements helps. Designs that have strong contrast attract interest and help
the viewer make sense of the visual (Reynolds, 2015).
Repetition
means that the same elements are reused throughout the presentation. It brings
a sense of unity, consistency, and cohesiveness. Repetition is viewed as being
part of a larger whole. However, too much repetition may overload viewers and
creative a negative reaction (Reynolds, 2015).
Alignment refers
to organization within a presentation, where everything is lined up via an
invisible line. Alignment is about obtaining unity among elements of a single
slide, but with a visual connection. Without alignment, presentations look less
sophisticated and less professional (Reynolds, 2015).
Proximity has
to do with movement of things closer or farther apart to achieve a more
organized look. Information, images and content should be grouped together so
they are processed as a group or idea, as opposed to conflicting ideas. It is
important not confuse so that the information is clearly presented. A rule of
thumb is to group like-minded things together so that it catches one’s eye (Reynolds,
2015). It is all about location, location, location!
Bottom-line:
• Design matters,
yet design is not about decoration or ornamentation.
Design is about making communication as easy
and clear for the viewer as possible.
• The
principle of signal-versus-noise should be kept in mind so all nonessential
elements are eliminated. Visual clutter
should be removed and 3-D effects avoided.
• People
remember visuals better than bullet points. Always consider how the use of
strong visual—including quantitative displays to enhance narrative.
• Empty
space can be a powerful tool. Learn to see and manipulate empty space to give
slide designs greater organization, clarity, and interest.
• The
principle of contrast can create strong dynamic differences among elements that
are different. If it is different, make it very different.
• The
principle of repetition can be used to repeat selected elements throughout the slides.
This can help give the slides unity and organization.
• The
principle of alignment can be used to connect elements visually (through
invisible lines) on a slide. Grids are very useful for achieving good
alignment. This will give the slide a clean, well-organized look.
• The principle of proximity may be used to ensure that related items
are grouped together. People will tend to interpret items together or near to
each other as if they belong to the same group.
References:
Reynolds, Garr. (2015). Presentation Zen: How to deliver presentations like a pro. Sociable Media, Inc. Retrieved from http://www.garrreynolds.com/
Reynolds, Garr. (2015). Presentation Zen: How to deliver presentations like a pro. Sociable Media, Inc. Retrieved from http://www.
Reynolds, Garr. (2015). Presentation Zen: How to deliver presentations like a pro. Sociable Media, Inc. Retrieved from http://www.garrreynolds.com/
Reynolds, Garr. (2015). Presentation Zen: How to deliver presentations like a pro. Sociable Media, Inc. Retrieved from http://www.
