Use of Images in presentation for projection and display

Use of Images in presentation for projection and display

·  Film and video
·  Slides 35mm
·  Overhead transparencies or
acetates
·  Flip charts
·  Computers

For this job aid we will only discuss presenting using computers.
Testing legibility of projected materials

1. Make a sample visual using the kind of lettering and or images
that you will use in your presentation.
2. Project this sample visual on a screen, stand in the back of a
room or at a similar distance as in the room you will be
speaking in.
3. Determine if the visual can be seen and read without strain.

Computers

Using computers can enable presenters to use multimedia and
graphics to get their message across.
Some considerations when presenting with computers
If you are demonstrating with a computer, the size of your
audience will have a profound effect on how you can present.

Presenting to a small group

With a small group it may be possible to present software using
only a monitor. Your main consideration is that all members of
your audience can see the screen. Be aware that lights can reflect
off a screen making it difficult to see the image; always check for
this.

Presenting to a large group

Demonstrating a computer application to a large group requires an
image, which is much larger than a monitor screen. To do this, you
will need to be able to project the computer image onto a larger
screen.

Creating visual aids
(overheads)

The purpose of a visual aid (overhead) is to
supply impact and enhance what you are
saying.
Determining what visuals to use is effected by...
The content of your presentation
·  Will a visual add to your presentation and enhance what you
are saying?
·  Will a visual make the purpose and objectives of your
presentation easier to understand?
·  Will a visual make what your are saying easier for the audience
to follow?
·  Will a visual convey to your audience what you want them to
learn?

Resources

·  The equipment you have access to.
·  The facilities that are available to you.
·  How much time you have to put together your visuals.

Other considerations

·  Can the point and or concept you are trying to make be put
into a visual form?
·  Will a visual fit into your presentation and complement the
other visuals?

Visual aid design considerations

Visuals should only include words, images, graphs, and charts that
directly relate to what you are talking about.
·  Overall design of a visual should not be crowded. Too much
visual or verbal information will result in your audience losing
interest.
·  Visual aids should be clear and simple without unnecessary
details. Complicated visuals with too much information can be
confusing for an audience.
·  It is essential that every bit of information on the visual aid is
large enough for all of the audience to see (i.e., make all details
large, put lines in bold, and use contrasting colours).
·  Only use simple lettering, unambiguous terms and symbols that
the audience can easily understand.

·  Keep in mind that you want your visuals to focus the audience's
attention where and when you want it.
·  It is not necessary to have a visual for everything you say.
Having too many visuals can result in information overload for
your audience.

Using images

The objective of visual aids is to be visual. Using visuals with only
text can become boring so when ever possible use images (i.e.,
pictures, charts, and graphs) to illustrate what
you mean. Images are more interesting than
text and can be remembered by an audience
long after your presentation is finished.
Be conscious of good design
Make sure the elements within a visual
complement and work together to bring your
message across. This applies to text as well as images.
Use emphasis to draw attention to important aspects of a visual
through arrows, colour, font size, and or object/image size.

Arrangement

It is important that the arrangement of the images and/or text is
designed in such a way that it will effectively grab the audience's
attention.
Arranging things in geometric shapes (i.e. oval, rectangle triangle)
or letters of the alphabet can be used as an underlying pattern to
display images on a visual. These are common shapes and will help
make your images look organized within the visual.

Colour

Colour can accent essential information for the audience by
creating a mood or emotional response towards your material.
·  Consistency with colour can help make things more clear, for
example, the same background colour can be used for each
section of your presentation (i.e. blue for statistical information
and green for research).
·  Letter colouring should contrast with the background. This helps
with legibility and draws attention to written words.
Too many colours can make an image confusing to look at.
Tips Text on visuals

No matter what visual aid you decide to create, if
you are going to use text, there are a number of
things that need to be thought about and planned.
Some considerations when using text...

Limit the amount of text

·  Having too much text on a visual will make it difficult to read.
·  If you want verbal information on a visual, it is generally best
to use a maximum of 36 words with 6 lines and only 6 words
per line.
·  Text should be brief in order to get your main points across and
help your audience to remember the information. This also
applies to text with images (i.e. pictures, charts, or graphs).
However, a projected visual with only one or a few words is
too brief and is a waste of time.

Format and organize text

·  It is best to put text in point form. Keeping your points brief
will make it easier for your audience to read the information. A
speaker can always elaborate on the text information that is
presented on the screen.
·  If you are listing things on your visual, using numbers can make
the information better organized and easier to follow.
·  Headings on each visual can help organize the material and give
the audience something to associate with your points.

Typeface

Do not use lettering that is too detailed to read easily. It is pointless
to use something that may be beautiful to look at, but difficult to
read. Instead try to use simple lettering styles.

Font size

Do not use a font size that is too small. It is pointless to have text
that your audience cannot read. It is best to experiment will
different font sizes to determine which is easier for the audience to
read.

Presenting with visual aids

·  Rehearse your presentation with the
visual aids you are going to use.
Running your presentation through
from beginning to end will give you an
idea on how long your presentation is
and give you the opportunity to make
any necessary changes. Whenever
possible, rehearse in the room you are
going to speak using the same technology.

·  When presenting make sure your entire audience can
When presenting make sure your entire audience can see the
visual aid.
·  When speaking always face your audience not the visuals.
·  If possible, once you have finished with a visual, remove it to
maintain the audience's attention on what you are saying.
·  Do not present a visual aid before you are ready to talk about
it. Seeing a visual before it is discussed can be distracting to an
audience.

Visual aids are only there to aid and enhance your speech. A visual
aid does not have to be self-explanatory. You, as the speaker, can
always verbally add information increasing the value of the visual as a means to communicate. The objective is to have something that will help you to get your point across.