SLIDEOLOGY:THE ART AND SCIENCE OF CREATING GREAT PRESENTATION

Nancy Duarte, a presentation designer, and coach, altered the world of presentations by producing an easy-to-read masterclass on presentation — SLIDEOLOGY. Slideology talks about advanced presentation designs. It assumes that the presenter will probably utilize Microsoft powerpoint or other presentation software such as Google slips or Keynotes, an integral part of their presentation but one of the core strengths of Slideology is the fact that it explains the process of better presentation planning, design and delivery whether you utilize slideware or not. In addition, it introduces readers to 3 pillars of presentation competence which are:

1-  Create a strong story

2-  Illustrate with simple visual

3- And deliver with conviction

We, humans, are visual communicators; presentations must be delivered longer in forms of images/diagrams as visual aids. Slides should be simple and the text should be reduced, preventing bullet points. Text should be no less than 30 font.

Slides are there to improve the story and also to help the readers see what the presenter is saying  so the ideas/messages can be transmitted efficiently. Use icons instead of numbers as images tell a better story. When people relate better, it increasing the retention of data. Using various icon brings information to life.

To give a strong presentation, the presenter should know his/her audience to get ready for material and shipping. Pace info across multiple slides to increase its impact. The number of slides to present is dependent on one good rule: the 10/20/30 rule that says- 10 slides, 20 minutes and  no fonts smaller than 30.

Nancy went further to examine three things that ought to be handled creatively in a consistent way to avoid noise or confusion:

• Deal elements: contrast (to help the audience see primary things), hierarchy, unity, space, closeness and stream.
•  Visual elements: background, color (appropriate color palette), text and images.
•  Movement: time, speed, distance, direction and eye flow

Duarte divides the book into five core areas:

1. TREAT YOUR AUDIENCE AS KINGS

They didn’t even come to your presentation to see you. They came to determine what you may do for them.  Provide content that resonates and make sure it’s clear what they’re to do.

2. SPREAD IDEAS AND MOVE PEOPLE

Communicate your ideas with strong grammar to engage all of their senses. They’ll adopt the ideas as their very own.

3. HELP THEM SEE WHAT YOU’RE SAYING

Think like a designer and movie producer and guide your audience through each idea in a manner that can help their comprehension. Appeal not only to their verbal perceptions but to their visual impressions as well.

4. PRACTICE DESIGN, NOT DECORATION

Don’t limit your content to pretty talking points. Instead, present information in a way that makes complex information clear.

5. CULTIVATE HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS

Display information in the best way possible for comprehension rather than focusing on what you need as a visual crutch.

THE BIG THREE – KEY POINTS

Keypoint #1: Develop flow within a slide intentionally.

Keypoint #2: People’s retention of data increases when they can “see the numbers.”

Keypoint #3: Think like a designer to create effective slides.

One Last thing

“Don’t blend in; instead, clash with your environment. Stand out. Be uniquely different. That’s what will draw attention to your ideas.”

― Nancy Duarte, Resonate: Present Visual Stories that Transform Audiences