How to make (and use)
Visual Aids for
Presentations
Objective: I can list different
options for visual aids and analyze
what is best for a situation.
Definition
What is a visual aid?
Any slideshow, background, prop, costuming, or other intentional
object used to help the audience focus, understand, or engage.
Merriam-Webster: “something you look at (such as a chart or film) that
is used to make something easier to understand.”
NOTE: In both
of these
definitions, you
are NOT
limited to
posters and
PowerPoints!
Don’t feel limited!
Examples of Visual Aids
Tri-fold poster
Flip charts
Flat posters
PowerPoints or
Slideshows
Props or objects
Charts & Data
Brochures
Video & Audio Clips
People/costumes
When (and Why) to Use One
Are they REALLY
necessary?
In short, usually.
• In some speeches or presentations,
the person is the visual. We don’t
use them for most…
• Debates
• Political speeches
• Press conferences
• Some speeches desperately need
visuals for the audience to
UNDERSTAND the topic, like…
• Conferences (or TED talks)
• Educational settings
• Business settings
• Product launches
Why should we care?
In other words, Research has
YOU will do a proven why they are
better job with the necessary, too.
presentation, AND • Scientists and educators have found
your audience will that “retention of information three
days after a meeting… is six times
understand AND greater when information is presented
remember it better! by visual and oral means than when
the information is presented by the
spoken word alone”(Source).
• Some studies suggest that about
“83% of human learning occurs
visually, and the remaining 17%
through the other senses.”
• It is also believed that when a visual
aid is used, the speaker does a better
job of movement and gestures.
Are they necessary?
Besides, YOU should care!
Any careers involving marketing, communications, social media,
politics, business, science, or technology may ALL require you to
present at some point, to:
Customers, reporters, government officials, local leaders, clients,
academics, professors, bosses, etc.
Image source
Are they necessary?
Not convinced?
Watch this short video and see how he effectively uses his visuals.
Types of Visual Aids
How do you decide?
It depends on:
Your content
Your audience
The requirements of your
boss/teacher
Your genre
The resources available
How you want to be
viewed/ judged
Types of Visual Aids
Guidelines for Visual Aids
Prepare it in advance
Keep them simple
Make sure they are large enough
Easy to read (no goofy fonts)
Limit number of words
Use color
Guidelines for Presenting Visual Aids
Avoid using the chalkboard
Display aids where audience can see them
Avoid passing items around
Display aids only when discussing them
Talk to audience, not to visual aid
Explain all visual aids
PRACTICE with visual aids
Though most people
agree that props and
other kinds of visuals
are great, slideshows
still dominate much
of the presenting in the
Western World.
Let’s focus on
slideshows for a bit.
This is especially true *Note: I am going to use the term
for students, who “slideshow”, but you can use any
software you want – MS PowerPoint,
might not be able to Google Slides, Prezi, Apple Keynote,
afford or create more or something else completely!
extravagant options.
(This is a big deal.)
There are three main philosophies for
how we should make/use slideshows:
#1: “Death by PowerPoint”
#2: Carefully-used slideshows
#3: Minimalist/modern approach
*Note: “Death by PowerPoint” is a well-known concept, but the other two names are ones I made up to
describe well-known concepts that don’t have names yet.
3 Philosophies of Slideshows
#1: “Death by PowerPoint”
This is a sarcastic nickname given to any slideshow that
uses too much content and not enough images and/or
design.
Slideshows that are too long, have too many slides, do not involve or engage the
audience, or are presented in a boring way.
3 Philosophies of Slideshows
#2: Carefully-used slideshows
Slightly better than “Death by PPT”, this is a slideshow that is still
fairly traditional BUT uses less text and better design/ images.
Prezi can fall into this category when used well.
This is a good starting point to break stereotypes about
PowerPoint!
3 Philosophies of Slideshows
#3: Minimalist/modern approach
Asmany images as possible, OR as little text as
possible on one screen.
The goal is that the slides SUPPORT a specific point you’re
making, but do not contain all of the text FOR you. (You’re still
responsible for verbally stating the message!)
Using it correctly
What to do WITH your slideshow
You made one. Now what?
Don’t turn your back on your audience.
Memorize your content OR make note cards.
Practice flipping through the presentation, while standing.
Image source
What you SHOULD do
Top 3 Things to Remember
1. Slides with memorable, appealing images
2. Simplicity and engagement are valued today
3. Use it effectively with your clicker & body
What you should NOT do
Top 3 Things to Avoid
1. Too much text, including outlining/bullet points – it’s a sign
that the slide is doing the work FOR you.
2. Relying on the screen (or reading directly off of it instead of
speaking to the crowd)
3. Distracting, flashing, or illegible designs
If the presenter is monotone,
didn’t practice,
does distracting fidgeting, A final note…
goes too slowly,
or is a weak presenter for
another reason,
the visual aid can’t completely The visual aid
save him/her.
is only as
You are still responsible for
pulling off a great presentation!
good as the
person using
Practice, confidence, and
professionalism still matter. it.
Review
Quiz!
1. List as many types of visual aids as you can.
2. What factors might you consider when choosing a
visual aid and/or type of slideshow?
3. What are the three main philosophies on how to make
a slideshow?
4. What do modern audiences want from a slideshow?
(What SHOULD you do?)
5. What are the best things to do WITH your slideshow
during a presentation?
Interested? Need Help?
Follow-Up Reading
• 10 tips on how to make slides that communicate your idea
, from TED’s in-house expert
• Create + Prepare Slides
• Creating Effective Presentation Visuals
• Visual Aids and Props
• Slide:ology: The Art and Science of Creating Great Presen
tations
• 11 Awesome Slide Titles
• Top 9 Visual Slide Mistakes to Avoid
• 7 Tips to Beautiful PowerPoint
BONUS ACTIVITY
Let’s critique THIS slideshow.
1. Which slide was your favorite, and why? What was good about it
that makes it an example for us?
2. Which slide was the most boring? Why? Was it the content, or
was it something about the slide design?
3. What would you rate it (scale of 1-5) in terms of…
• Level of Engagement – did it keep your attention?
• Memorable content – did you learn something? Why/not?
• Speaker vs. content vs. visuals – if it wasn’t effective, why?
4. Challenge: Take ONE slide of your choosing and make it BETTER.
How could improved content and/or design engage the audience
better?
