Good Presentation Design

 

A500.8.3.RB Blog  Good Presentation Design

The topic of good presentation design has been an eye opener.  For many years I have been tasked with preparing information to share with internal and external stakeholders in both government and private organization. 

As a presenter my focus has been on the content rather that the design.  Often times the presenter is given a format or template that must be used to provide the information to the audience.  The standard template can limit the presenters’ creativity and their ability to design the presentation that will capture the audience’s attention.

It is my belief that a presenter, regardless of the boundaries set by the organization, can plan a presentation and create it in a way that will provide relevant, thought provoking and entertaining information to the audience.

The term design is defined by Merriam-Webster dictionary this way “to create, fashion, execute, or construct according to plan : devise, contrive. 2. a : to conceive and plan out in the mind.”

A good presentation is a result of three things; meaningful content, powerful & engaging delivery and good looking slides. (Singh 2011)

Good looking slides have 4 key design principles according to the author Garr Reynolds in the book titled Presentation Designs. The 4 Major design principles are the following:

·         The principles of contrast – creates strong dynamic differences among elements that are different

·         The principle of repetition – repeats selected elements throughout your slides. 

·         The principle of alignment – connects elements visually (through invisible lines)

·         The principles of proximity – ensures that related items are grouped together.

In my opinion, good presentation design is important in good presentations.  The principles of good design, if followed, can make the difference between a good presentation and a great presentation.  Paul Arden stated that “The more strikingly visual your presentation is, the more people will remember it.  And more importantly they will remember you”.

 

References:

Merriam-Webster dictionary Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/design‎

Singh, V. (2011) Principles of good presentation design. Retrieved from  http://www.ipeglobal.com/newsletter/May_2011/Presentations%20made%20easy.pdf

Reynolds, G. (2008). Presentation zen: simple ideas on presentation design and delivery. Berkeley, CA: New Riders Pub.