The difference between a wearisome, tedious and pedestrian presentation and one that is captivating, engaging and highly effective can lie in the use of the ubiquitous PowerPoint by Microsoft and Keynote by Apple.
Given that most presentations cannot do without these tools and that a vast proportion of preparation time is spent on slide design, it pays to consider some principles that make a big difference.
The Minimalist Approach
Newer releases of software versions come updated with ever-increasing bells and whistles. The key is not to figure out how they work but to learn how to ignore them. What is commonplace practice for PowerPoint presentations should not be confused with the natural way in which people learn, communicate and receive information.
Cognitive Load Theory, developed in the 1980’s and expounded by John Sweller in his book Cognitive Load Theory: A Special Issue of Educational Psychologist [Lawrence Erlbaum, 2003], refers to the amount of data the human brain can store before information loss occurs. In essence it theorises that people can only store seven (plus or minus two) chunks of information in short term memory.
Where possible, therefore, use visual images to bring a point across rather than reams of words. In a talk on healthy living for example, flash a photograph of a young child suffering from malnutrition with the key information taking up no more than seven words contained within the picture itself. This is far more effective than several bulleted points of nutritional data with little images squeezed into whatever remaining space.
Any detailed statistics or data that the audience needs should be given out in a written document, not splashed across the screen. This approach is backed up by research that shows the human brain having difficulty in processing information that is presented in both written and oral form simultaneously. In other words, the audience cannot read and listen at the same time. Moreover if what the speaker is saying is on the slides and the audience can read them on their own, then there is no need for the speaker in the first place.
Empty Space
Space is at a premium but do not succumb to the urge of filling it with more clutter. Less is certainly more here. A large empty and clean space purposefully leads the eyes toward the one important image or key sentence that captures the viewer’s attention. Think Google versus MSN.
Psychology of Colour
Use colour to emphasise key ideas and not to decorate the slide. They are universally characterised as either warm (red, orange and yellow) or cold (blue, purple, green) and the right combination can evoke emotions and attention. A useful colour scheme uses a warm colour as background with a cold colour text or vice versa. Take the room into consideration as the lighting conditions will impact on the slide clarity and intensity.
Powerpoint Slide Transitions
The KISS Principle of “Keep It Simple, Stupid” applies here. There is a time and place for slide transitions and animation schemes but in a professional seminar, business or academic class presentation, they do not add much value and can be annoying or even puerile.
On their own, slides do not and should not tell the full story. That is why they are known as presentation visual aids that reinforce, not repeat the message. It is the speaker who conveys the emotion and importance of the message.
Some may even wish to consider presentations that do away entirely with a slideshow or explore other presentation possibilities.
 |
 |
