Chapter 13 Visual Aids

Effective Visual Aids

Visual aids that enhance presentations meaningfully, not just for aesthetics.

can spark interest

must be simple

more likely to remember when displayed in words and images

must be relevant to your message

reinforce message

easy to understand

use when you need to explain things you cannot see

ex. model of your internal organs

Purpose of Visuals

To spark interest, build emotional connections, clarify words, explain abstract ideas, and increase understanding.

Simple Visuals

Visuals must be relevant, memorable, clear, and visible to the audience.

Types of Visual Aids

Includes personal appearance, objects and props, demonstrations, posters, audio/video, handouts, slideware.

Dress for Presentation

Dressing appropriately helps set the tone and affects credibility.

Objects and Props

-Seeing the actual item will often make it easier for your audience to understand your meaning and will help you connect with your audience on an emotional level. 

-Props can be used as part of demonstrations (discussed below) or as a stand-alone item that you refer to in your speech.

Demonstration Purpose

To wow the audience or show how something is done.

Posters and flip charts

-for small audiences

-poster should be to support your core message and can be left behind to remind those in attendance of your presentation after you have left

-If you are writing be sure to take this into your time consideration

Audio and video

-recommend only 10- 20 seconds

-It is important that the clip be properly cued to start at exactly where you want it to begin playing

-It distracts from both your audience's attention and your credibility when you are fumbling with technology during a speech

-It is important that your file format can be played on the computer you are using

Handouts Best Practice

Provide copies after or during the presentation to respect audience's attention.

-handout can contain the evidence for your message in a way that is legible, detailed, complex, and shows respect for the audience's time and intelligence

Slideware Definition

Software used to create and display slide shows, e.g. PowerPoint, Google Slides.

Pecha Kucha

presenting using a slide deck of 20 slides that display for 20 seconds per slide, advance automatically, and generally contain no text

-helps the speaker practice editing, pacing, connecting with the audience, focusing on the message, and using images in place of words

Prezi

is digital presentation software that breaks away from the standard slide deck presentation. It requires users to plot out their themes before adding primarily image-focused content

-the presenter zooms in and out of the presentation to visually demonstrate connections not available in other slideware

-helps to keep the viewer engaged 

-can cause you to have too many images

-Prezi’s fast moving images and, at times, unusual movement can make users dizzy or disoriented

Design Principles

Design with the audience in mind

Keep slides short

Each slide should enhance the message

To keep it simple:

Include only one concept per slide

Practice so you can judge how much information to put on each slide

Have slides that can be understood in 3 seconds

Rule of Thirds

If you divide the screen using two imaginary lines horizontally and two vertically, you end up with nine sections. The most visually interesting and pleasing portions of the screen will be at the points where the lines intersect. Aligning your text and images with these points is preferred to centering everything on the screen.

Contrast in Design

Using different colors or fonts to highlight key messages and improve visibility.

High Contrast Colors

Use high contrast colors for improved visibility; avoid red and green together.

Standard Fonts

Using legible fonts like Times New Roman or Arial for readability.

These fonts work well with the limitations of computer screens and are legible from a distance if sized appropriately.

Split-Attention Effect

A phenomenon in which the audience is distracted trying to read and listen simultaneously. You need to give your audience silent reading time when you display a new slide

Use of Images

Utilize photographs that are compatible with the message to evoke emotion or direct attention.

Graph Presentation

Utilize clear labels and ensure conclusions of graphs are distinguishable.

Implementation

Always credit sources for props and visuals to maintain credibility.

Visual Clues

Create arrows or pointers to direct audience attention to key information.