What was on your slides? Were they just a series of words, and perhaps too many words at that? If you're nodding your head, you're not alone. In "5 Questions for Great Presentation Visuals," Wendy Gates Corbett helps presenters create slides that will better engage their viewers.
Every presentation has a message, and every slide in that presentation should have a purpose as well. As Gates Corbett writes, "The human brain loves pictures, and visuals are processed by the brain much faster than words." Further, "Images also evoke emotion. Emotions open us up to the possibility of change, so using the right kind of visuals can spark the precise change you're seeking from your audience."
Gates Corbett's February 2016 issue of TD at Work, published by the Association for Talent Development, offers guidance on which ideas in your presentation to represent visually. How do you know what visuals to use to represent the concept you want to emphasize? To ignite creativity, try getting away from your computer for a while.
Ever heard that the best ideas come when you're in the shower? Brainstorm around the visuals when you're doing something else, like going for a walk, driving or—yes—taking a shower. You might also ask others—either directly or via social media—what comes to mind when they hear the idea you want to express.
In Gates Corbett's issue of TD at Work, she includes two job aids, one of which will help you let go of text-heavy slides; the second provides a template for generating ideas regarding what to represent visually. "5 Questions for Great Presentation Visuals" also suggests resources for locating visuals and warns against using copyrighted graphics.
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Three Ideas for Improving Slides
- Identify the idea that's most relevant to the presentation's core message. If you look at the bullets on your slide, which one is most relevant to the overarching concept behind your presentation?
- Identify the most complex idea on your slide. Because visuals are processed faster than words and help our short-term memory make sense of what we're hearing, it makes sense to use visuals for the idea many people might have the most difficulty understanding.
- Focus on the most evocative point of your presentation. Again, because visuals spark emotion context, tapping into that element of the brain works to your advantage. Which idea will grab the heartstrings of your listeners?
