A500.8.3RB_ValenteMarco

- Good Presentation Design

   Creating a quality presentation begins with some analysis by the presenter. The first thing that needs to be identified is the purpose of the presentation (training, informative, decision brief). The purpose will set the direction for the next step which is target audience. If the presenter is conducting training on new office equipment, they may want to “liven” it up with attention getters as many of these topics can seem technical and dry. However, if the presenter is providing a status on their progress of an organizational endeavor, they would do well to keep the presentation “on point” and professional as this type of presentation will more than likely have Sr. representatives or stakeholder involve that are usually pressed for time. By establishing the purpose and target audience, the presenter now need to organize their thoughts or concepts they wish to present. In doing so, the presenter can ensure the flow of information is smooth and seamless. Once the presenter has a clear direction they need to go, they can begin to build a quality presentation using design to enhance their points.

   Designing a presentation should be centered on the presenter’s message or points; to give weight an issue or action towards a point. Designing a thoughtful presentation can assist the presenter engage with the audience, bring home the point, and reinforce confidence in a position. Good design can be a force-multiplier when used correctly. For example, presenters must be mindful of:

·       Consistency: When setting the tone with a particular format (font, background, color), it is important to remain constant throughout the presentation, unless it is the desire of the present to evoke a different feel or reaction.

·       Transitions: If it is important enough to conduct a presentation on a topic, it is important to ensure the message is received and processed in the way the presenter needs it to be. This is done by transitioning and linking key concepts together for the audience so that confusion doesn’t settle in. If a presenter can walk an audience through their points with minimal obstacle, the more likely they will be more effective in reaching their objectives.

·       Keep it simple: Good design presentations use programs to reinforce and enhance their message. The point of the presentation is the purpose and objectives that has created the need for a presentation. Thus, when the design of the presentation becomes overly animated or “to busy,” it is more likely that the message could be distorted or never received by the audience because they were being “entertained” rather than informed or trained.

Presentation design is an important tool for any presenter. It has the potential to make a dry topic good, a good topic better, and a better topic great. Designing a presentation to “bring home the point” also has the potential to make information memorable. Likewise, poor design could do the same. Thus, that is why it is important for the presenter to do the analysis and invest the time and effort to provide a quality presentation.