It is important to spend a little extra time and thought on your graphic presentation. Your presentation should easily display visual clarity and narrative flow. It doesn’t have to be time consuming when you take the following tips into consideration.
1. “Communicate, don’t decorate.”
Create a concept and stick with it. Without a clear message your presentation is nothing but pretty. Think about how the design of your presentation communicates with the audience. When incorporating text or a design element consider how it might support your concept.2. “Speak with one visual voice.”
Think of your presentation as one harmonious unit. Do all the elements on the page relate to one another both graphically and conceptually? Make sure you are picking colors and type font that supports your concept.3. “Less is more.”
The more information you have squished into your presentation, the more distracting it is. Consider what pieces are most important and let them do the talking. Make sure to give them room to breathe. Allow white space to pause and digest information.4. “Do it on purpose- or don’t do it at all.”
Be decisive on the hierarchy of your presentation. Start with an organizing principal that you can carry throughout and be consistent on where you place emphasis. Breaking you concept down into smaller parts makes it easier for the audience to digest.5. “Ignore Fashion. Seriously.”
Your presentation should be styled around your concept or meaning, not the current trends. While trends may be attention grabbers, a meaningful design leaves a lasting impression. Take current trends as inspiration not guidelines.Next times you start a graphic presentation take these tips into consideration and let you concept guide you. Your presentation will be more meaningful for the audience as a result. These are just a few favorites from Timothy Samara’s “Design Elements: A Graphic Style Manual”. If you’re interested in further reading, check it out and let us know what your favorites are!
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