Intro to Business Communication: Oral Communication and Presentations - Slide Design, Minimal Text Visuals Fonts Color Using Graphs and Charts Effectively

What This Is

Effective slide design is crucial in the workplace, as it helps convey complex information in a clear, concise, and engaging manner. A poorly designed slide can lead to confusion, miscommunication, and even project delays. For instance, imagine attending a meeting where the presenter's slides are cluttered with too much text, making it difficult to follow their presentation. This can lead to a tense atmosphere and a lack of engagement from the audience.

Key Principles & Techniques

• Minimal Text: Use no more than 3-4 bullet points per slide and limit text to 20-30 words per bullet point. Example: Instead of listing 10 items, use a table or a graph to show the data.
• Visuals: Use high-quality images, diagrams, and charts to break up text and illustrate key points. Example: Use a picture to show a product or a process instead of describing it in words.
• Fonts: Use clear, easy-to-read fonts such as Arial, Calibri or Helvetica. Avoid using too many font sizes or styles. Example: Use font size 24 for headings and font size 18 for body text.
• Color: Use a maximum of 2-3 colors to avoid visual overload. Choose colors that are easy on the eyes and consistent with your brand. Example: Use a blue and white color scheme for a professional look.
• Graphs and Charts: Use graphs and charts to show trends, comparisons, and data. Example: Use a bar chart to show sales data instead of a table.
• Storytelling: Use a narrative structure to engage your audience and make your message more memorable. Example: Use a "problem-solution" approach to present your idea.
• Consistency: Use a consistent design throughout your presentation to create a cohesive look. Example: Use the same font and color scheme for all slides.
• White Space: Use white space effectively to create a clean and uncluttered design. Example: Use a blank slide to separate sections or to provide a clear visual break.
• Key Messages: Identify your key messages and highlight them clearly on your slides. Example: Use bold text or a different color to draw attention to your key messages.
• Audience Analysis: Analyze your audience and tailor your design to their needs and preferences. Example: Use simple language and clear visuals for a non-technical audience.

Do's and Don'ts

• DO: Use a clear and concise title for your slide to help your audience understand the content.
• DON'T: Use a title that is too long or too vague, as it can confuse your audience.
• DO: Use bullet points to break up text and make your content more scannable.
• DON'T: Use too many bullet points, as it can overwhelm your audience.
• DO: Use visuals to support your key messages and make your content more engaging.
• DON'T: Use too many visuals, as it can distract from your key messages.

Common Mistakes

• Mistake: Using too much text on a slide.
• Correction: Use minimal text and focus on visuals to convey your message.
• Mistake: Not using a clear and concise title for your slide.
• Correction: Use a clear and concise title to help your audience understand the content.
• Mistake: Not using bullet points to break up text.
• Correction: Use bullet points to make your content more scannable and easier to understand.

Quick Practice

Scenario 1: You are presenting a new marketing campaign to your team and you want to highlight the key messages. How would you rewrite this slide to make it more effective?

Answer: Use a clear and concise title, highlight the key messages in bold text, and use bullet points to break up the text.

Explanation: This will help your audience quickly understand the key messages and focus on the most important information.

Scenario 2: You are presenting a complex data set to a non-technical audience and you want to make it more engaging. What should you say first in this meeting?

Answer: Start by explaining the key findings and highlighting the most important data points.

Explanation: This will help your audience quickly understand the main message and focus on the most important information.

Scenario 3: You are presenting a new product to a foreign audience and you want to make it more culturally relevant. What should you do?

Answer: Research the cultural preferences and values of your audience and tailor your design to their needs and preferences.

Explanation: This will help you create a more effective and engaging presentation that resonates with your audience.

Last-Minute Cram Sheet

• Use minimal text and focus on visuals to convey your message.
• Use clear and concise titles to help your audience understand the content.
• Use bullet points to break up text and make your content more scannable.
• Use high-quality images, diagrams, and charts to illustrate key points.
• Use a maximum of 2-3 colors to avoid visual overload.
• Use a consistent design throughout your presentation to create a cohesive look.
• Use white space effectively to create a clean and uncluttered design.
• Identify your key messages and highlight them clearly on your slides.
• Analyze your audience and tailor your design to their needs and preferences.
• Use a narrative structure to engage your audience and make your message more memorable.
• Use a "problem-solution" approach to present your idea.
• Use a bar chart to show sales data instead of a table.
• Use font size 24 for headings and font size 18 for body text.
• Use Arial, Calibri or Helvetica as your default font.
• Use a blue and white color scheme for a professional look.
• Use a consistent font and color scheme throughout your presentation.
• Use a clear and concise title for your slide to help your audience understand the content.
• Use a title that is too long or too vague, as it can confuse your audience.
• Use too many bullet points, as it can overwhelm your audience.
• Use too many visuals, as it can distract from your key messages.