• Attract and sustain attention• Reinforce main ideas• Support the spoken word• Maximize understanding• Increase retention• Add a touch of realism• Help in organizing your thoughts• Build confidence in yourself

Why Use Visuals?

Audience Memory and the Impact of Visual Aids

Percent of Speech Remembered After...

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

VerbalOnly

VisualOnly

Verbal &Visual

Perc

ent

3 Hours

3 Days

Types of Visual Aids• Slides• Posters• Objects• Models• Handouts

Types of Visual Aids• Flip Charts• Chalkboards• Marker Boards• Overhead

Transparencies• Projected Computer

Graphics

• Print large enough for audience to read

• Title every page/slide/chart and highlight title

• Use key words or bullet points• Use color whenever possible

Basics of Visual Aid Management

• Visualize as much by using graphs, diagrams, picture, etc.

• Use a variety of visual aids• Highlight items by underline,

circle, use arrow, use color, bold letters, use pointer, write in

Basics of Visual Aid Management

Guidelines for Preparing Visual Aids

• Make it Easy to See• Keep it Simple• Prepare for Problems

Avoid Distracting Your Audience

• Don’t Pass Items Around• Reveal Only When Needed• Talk to Audience, Not Visual

Aid• Refer to Visual Aid• Use Handouts with Caution

• Looking at and talking to visual aids

• Poor physical handling• Blocking audience view of visual

aid• Visual aid layout• Reading visual aid

Common Mistakes in Using Visual Aids

Design Rules for Visual Aids - Size 72 PT

60 PT44 PT36 PT32 PT28 PT24 PT18 PT14 PT

Type Sizes in Points

Design Rules for Visual Aids - Repetition

Symbols RepeatSymbols Repeat

Unique BulletsUnique Bullets

Repeated Clip ArtRepeated Clip Art

Consistent TypefaceConsistent TypefaceColors RepeatColors Repeat

Color of TitlesColor of Titles

Color of TextColor of Text

Color of BackgroundColor of Background

• Limit your visual to two or three colors so color does not become too obvious to the audience

• Have one dominant color and follow the rule “the smaller the area, the brighter the color”

Tips on the Use of Color

• Use cool colors such as green or blue. Black is best for emphasizing the message.

• Keep backgrounds neutral. Displayed objects will appear weak if the background color is too vivid.

• Use warm colors. They are most visible.

Tips on the Use of Color

Design Rules for VisualAids - Color

Blue and YellowBlue and YellowAre Contrasting but Harmonious ColorsAre Contrasting but Harmonious Colors

Blue and PurpleBlue and PurpleAre Not Contrasting or Harmonious ColorsAre Not Contrasting or Harmonious Colors

Design Rules for Visual Aids - Contrast

Boulder Along with close spacing,bolding, and large type sizeappears dense and heavy.

Relief-Serif Along with wide spacing, no bolding, and

smaller type size appears even lighter andless substantial.

Fifth Avenue Along with wide spacing, bolding, and smaller type size

appears lighter and airier.

Ineffective Clip Art

• Clip Art Should Help You Make Your Point

• It Should Not Seem Out of Context or Draw Undue Attention to Itself

Clip Art

Effective Clip Art Clip Art Should Enhance the Impact of

the Point You Are Making

Effective GraphsPrice of Stock

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5

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30

35D

olla

rs

Price of Stock A

Price of Stock

0 10 20 30 40

Oct-92

Nov-92

Nov-93

Dec-93

Nov-94

Nov-95

Nov-95

Dollars

Ineffective Graphs

Effective GraphsIdeal Portfolio - New Investor

Overseas Funds20%

Bond Funds25%Small Stock

Funds25%

Large Stock Funds30%

Ineffective Graphs

OverseasFunds Bond Funds

Small StockFunds Large Stock

Funds

S10

10

20

30

Ideal Portfolio - New Investor

• Support and reinforce the heading• Avoid too much of it• No over-preciseness• Must be within the audience’s

realm• Must be convincing if attributed to

recognized sources

Effective Use of Statistics

• Avoid slanting of figures• Give a more up-to-date and

accurate picture• Explain the methods used

Effective Use of Statistics