Chapter 11 Reading Reflection

Personally, I am a visual learner, and I expect many of you are as well. Things make more sense to me when there is an example right in front of my eyes. For that reason, many presentations include visual aids to help the audience better understand and apply what is being taught. As a presenter, it is important to learn the major attributes of visuals, effective design treatments, and tips for creating successful slide shows and handouts.

First, every visual contains several attributes, such as direction, number, size, shape, and color. The last four are fairly self-explanatory. You, as the presenter, control the number of visual aids, as well as their size, shape, and color. For more important items, make sure that they stick out by using a bigger font size, interesting shape, or unique color scheme. Direction, however, can be a little trickier. One example is that a man walking or pointing in a certain direction will automatically make the audience look in that direction. Therefore, certain visuals make the audience look in a particular direction. As a general rule, these visuals should direct the reader to the center of the page instead of away from it. Mastering these attributes is a matter of practice, but doing so will result in more effective and dynamic presentations.

Next comes effective design treatments. When creating visual aids, place them in the general spot you want them on the page, remembering that readers normally read top to bottom and left to right. Therefore, the most important information should be at the top of the page to entice the reader. After figuring out the general layout, apply the following five treatments: balance, spacing, contrast, repetition, and alignment.

1. Balance. Decide on whether to align the items symmetrically or asymmetrically. Generally, a symmetrical layout produces a more formal but less interesting appeal.
2. Spacing. Separate the items into chunks, minimizing space in the chunks and increasing space between chunks.
3. Contrast. Decide what is most important, and draw attention to it by doing something different with size, color, or shape. Audiences are drawn to parts of the presentation that are unique.
4. Repetition. Know what your presentation theme is, and repeat the theme throughout the presentation. Repetition is key to the audience remembering the main point.
5. Alignment. Align the text to your liking. Text is normally left-aligned, but certain situations call for different alignment. Whatever you choose, be consistent so that there are no pieces of text floating randomly on the page.

Lastly, use slideshows and handouts to enhance the presentation (key word being "enhance"). Nothing is more boring than someone droning on and on, repeating every word from their slideshow. Instead, use the slideshow as an outline. Create unique and interesting graphics that allow the audience a break from reading text. But remember to find a balance- don't do anything too crazy to distract the audience from the main point of the presentation. Also, an agenda is often useful in organizing the slideshow so that the presenter and the audience understand what's coming next.

Following good principles in the major attributes of visuals, effective design treatments, and using slideshows and handouts will make your presentations POP! And most importantly, the audience will better understand your message.