| Textures
and Patterns |
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Make sure textures and patterns don’t interfere
with seeing and understanding message.
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Text on top of textures or patterns can be extremely
difficult to see in projected materials.
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Do not use patterns (such as crosshatching)
using two different colors for projected visuals. These patterns should
only be used for differentiation of different areas for black and
white reproduction only. Use solid or gradiated blocks of color instead.
|
 Line Thickness
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|
Pictures |
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Graphics that have been prepared for the printed page rarely make
good visuals for presentation. Images usually need to be simplified
and text needs to be made larger so an audience can read and understand
the graphic as quickly as possible.
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In photographs, use close up of objects.
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Photos and illustrations should be close-ups so detail can be seen.
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Leaders from labels lying to left of drawing should begin 2/3 way
up the last letter of first line. Leaders from labels on right of
drawing should begin 2/3 way up first letter.
|
Drop- shadows |
Dropshadows are shadows behind your text and graphics.
Dropshadows visually imply that foreground objects are “floating” above
a flat background. They can make visuals more legible, particularly
text.
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Keep the shadows close to the graphic so they don’t
appear as separate graphics.
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Always make dropshadows darker than your background.
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NEVER use dropshadows on overhead transparencies.
|
Animations and Transitions |
Build or reveal techniques are good to
use when you have several points to make on one slide, whether it be
text or graphics. Using this animation method, the points are added
one by one until the whole message is complete. However, it can go too
slow and interrupt the presentation flow too.
Don't use automatic advance on slides shows if you are presenting in person. The slide show often goes faster than you can talk, particularly if you cough, sneeze, or choke while talking. If the show is for a kiosk or will be a self-running show, then use the automatic advance settings in the animations and transitions. |
Room Lighting Conditions |
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Room lighting conditions vary. If there is light
on the screen, kill it.
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Unscrew ceiling bulbs or spotlights from above
the screens.
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Move or angle the podium so the speaker’s light
doesn’t show or reflect on the screen.
|
Consistency |
Consistency in visual presentations helps the audience
more easily comprehend your message.
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Use similar colors for title or section of slide
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Use a standard type face
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Use a similar layout through the presentation
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Try to standardize on type size
|
Visual Pacing |
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Use a build series to reveal new material as you
talk about it. Each new line added appears in a highlighted color
while the previous line drops to a darker color. The audience can
focus on the highlighted line easier but can still see all previous
lines. The final slide shows all topics and serves as a summary. This
can also be used on graphs and charts.
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Repeat your title slide at the end. This should
include authors’ names, and your e-mail address.
|
References |
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Acknowledge the source of a graph, data or graphic.
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Only include the author and year of publication
on the visual. Often presenters put in too much reference information
and this clutters the visual.
- To reference a website, use only the authors name or the name of the website and year if there is one. Do not use an entire web address as it will only clutter a slide. If someone wants more information on your source, you can give them the full reference after your presentation.
Poor Example
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Good Example |
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Summary |
- Simplicity is not simple!
- Visual communication means thinking visually.
- Visuals support your presentation and information.
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