How to Make Visuals for Presentations?

Hi There!

In this article I will share to you some misconceptions about visuals so that you won't be committing them in the future. Maybe in the past you have created such beautiful visuals but it gets lessa attention than it deserves. What is wrong? What is missing? What will make it really appealing?

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Glamorous and Over-the-top

While most of us enjoys making our visuals really creative, some tries to make it really informative as much as they can. Before I use to place beautiful background them for my visuals like ocean, sunset, sky, and more. And to show mastery in my line of subject, I drown my visuals with all information I can put in. And maybe you have than the same thing before. Now the question is, "Why is it not effective enough to convey my message?" Is there something wrong? Did I make the wrong impression?

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Make it Simple

Before I finished my first trimester as multimedia student, I need to make a defense paper about my proposal on automated speech recognition software. The requirement is pretty simple. I just need to complete the system life cycle. Within a week I am done with my paper with some minor revisions. Everything was just so perfect. Even my classmates told me I will nail this one for sure. And I believe on that notion too. My defense day then came. I was pretty confident that I'll get flat one for this one. So I turned on the screen of my laptop and access the presentation. I was really excited to boast my work. The first slide then flashed on the screen and on. Then my teacher told me just stop. I asked him why. Then he told me, "Can't you see your work was really fine but your presentation is too complicated. I can't even understand it. What is the use of listening? Next time do it in a friendly manner."



Darn. How come he can't understand it? Is he blind of some sort? Then at home I think things over and over. And realized something.

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Avalanche of Boredom



I realized that my visual was like ancient carvings of some sort. If I will be in the position of my professor that time, it will feel as if I'm lost somewhere. Who would love to see complex drawings on the screen explaining an even complex concept. Complex plus complex equals misunderstanding. And who would enjoy a presentation hundred slides long? Even I would just want to run away. It's like a bad dream.



When we forget simplicity everything just becomes boring and unappealing.

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Be Direct. Brief. And Simple.

The question is how to make sure our presentation is right? I have some tips to share:

1. The Rule of Reduction. Can you show in lesser detail but maintaining the essence? For example you are too explain to a 10-year old how to go to the mall and get back home. You cannot throw to the child a hundred long presentation of landmarks in this case. Because if you do, the child will either get lost as early as now or just leave you. The good idea is to make it simple by selecting only the important things to remind the child. Never ever try to put things all together. It gets sloppy.


2. The 3-point rule. I always use this one. I got this idea while I was reading through a program design book. This rule suggests you to draw three boxes. The first box represents the people involved. The middle box will be a word to decribe all steps to reach the goal (which is the third box). In this case there will be a direct relation creating a clear picture.


3. Focal and Words. Remember to use as much as possible one picture per slide. Try to explain each picture one at a time. Do not mix them up. The text that comes per slide, I suggest, follow the 5-5 tip, that is, put no more than 5 lines per slide with each line no more than 5 words. But of course this is almost impossible. And too technical not unless it is a formal presentation. And so read on the next number.


4. 3 Cues. People understands things like a story. It is easier to get the attention of your audience by drawing them into a story telling mode. How does this works? Pick three words that best describes a portion of what you want to show on your visuals. Then arrange them from the least appealing to the most. After which tell your story. For example, I am to show you that apple must be green rather than red. The words that I will use will be smart, delightful and natural. I arrange them in order: delightful, natural and smart. My pitch goes like this: Apple must be green because this color means DELIGHT. Isn't a good start to have an apple of this color? And the thing is that most apple our green in color. It means that you will be assure that there is less than 2% who have undergone treatment because they are natural. And NATURAL is pro health. Isn't that green a SMART choice?