I first saw Presentation Zen in a bookstore about a year ago. It was a beautiful large hardcover filled with gorgeous photographs of sunsets, rocky still landscapes, seas, and Japanese gardens. I admired the layout, with it’s one column amid lots of white space, and told myself I had to get my hands on this book and see what I might glean from author Garr Reynolds, on the subject of presentations and design.
Over the last year I have seen and given a handful of presentations. At design school I watch my instructors deliver presentations that vary from weak to horrible, with few positives (crazy considering they all teach graphic design!). I endured an hour -long presentation from a supposed “professional” from a large education service provider, and was astonished that she bragged that they had delivered hundred of these presentations in the last year.
This is a day and age where anyone could be asked to create and deliver a presentation. It’s not limited to business people and educators. Here’s what we all want to avoid: A long, visually dull presentation that crammed each slide with bulleted text which was read aloud – verbatim – by the presenter, which will have your audience shifting uncomfortably in their seats by minute two. Don’t do it!
So did I do anything different? Well, I gave it my best shot, relying on some simple design ideas, and reflections on tendencies I wanted to avoid. Here are 4 basic suggestions and the principles I had in the back of my mind:
- I set up my presentation slides to be mostly graphic. I use photos and screenshots, and very little text.
- Any text I used was NOT bulleted and limited to a handful of words or one short sentence.
- Sometimes I have 5-6 slides evolve an image or idea like an animation (creates a cinematic feeling).
- I realized that a good presentation was about talking, sharing ideas, inspiring, and above all, storytelling.
To begin with Garr Reynolds has published a new book called Presentation Zen Design: Simple Design Principles and Techniques to Enhance Your Presentations, and I have not had a chance to read it. It may well be more hands-on and instructional regarding the practise of actually designing graphically-pleasing slides. The Presentation Zen book discusses graphics, but more or less simplifies the discussion to classic design and communication principles, illuminating examples with elements from Japanese culture (the birthplace of Zen and where Reynolds has lived and worked for the last few years).
The book runs through the basics of planning and preparing your presentation and the fine art of giving your presentation. there are many worthy tips throughout and summaries at the end of each chapter. I’m going to share with you some of the points that made an impression on me and some of the major ideas of the book.
HIGHLIGHTS from the book
In “Planning Analog,” Reynolds describes using Post-it notes on the wall to show effective storyboarding techniques. you can sketch your slides on a post-it and move them around on a wall or table, until you have mapped out your presentation plan.
Further along, in “Crafting the Story,” Reynolds gets into the art of the story and storytelling, and relates how the best presentations will have a strong feeling of authenticity- that the presenter is sharing something meaningful and powerful from their own lives, or something that can impart meaning to the audience. Brainstorming/ sketching / editing are also discussed.
Some chapters are introduced with an anecdote from time Garr spent in Japan. Zen is a Japanese idea/philosophy which is elaborated on in Ch 5 “ Simplicity: Why it Matters.” In this chapter Garr expounds on the Zen notions of: Kanso (Simplicity, Shizen (Naturalness), and Shibumi (Elegance).
In Chapter 8 “The Art of Being Completely Present,” the author describes the presentation talents of Apple Computer’s Steve Jobs and the “Art of the Swordsman.” Central here is the notion of “no mind” – to be immersed, fully participating, giving oneself over, and offering a social “contribution.”
CONCEPTS for Good Design
Empty Space – gives a sense of luxury / calm
Grids and Rule of thirds – don’t put your images dead center!
No 3-D Graphics! – and while we’re at it, no fancy dissolves or other cheesy transitions!
Big 4 of Design: Contrast, Repetition, Alignment and Proximity (aka CRAP)
Animate – slowly build up your images by adding elements over 5-6 slides – this will give your presentation a cinematic quality!
Present! – Talk, don’t narrate – move around – keep the lights on so people will look and listen!
Technology – a small remote can liberate – find one that has basic functions (play, forward, back, fade to black)
Garr Reynolds book is a really great read. I skimmed through this breezy book and quickly absorbed the best ideas, skipping parts that were already familiar. I am looking forward to the newbook, “Presentation Design,” and will give you a review after I’ve checked it out.
References:
To explore examples of great presentations, check out:
Slideshare.net
J Brenman – Educational Presentation on “The Future of Work”
http://www.slideshare.net/jbrenman/the-future-of-work-2361479
Ted Talks
David Carson – Surfer/sociologist turned designer
http://www.ted.com/talks/david_carson_on_design.html
Pecha Kucha
Presentation nights – 20 slides, so seconds – lots of interesting rapid fire talks
http://www.pecha-kucha.org/
