Define Presentation Graphics

Presentation graphics convey information to an audience.

Presentation graphics visualize data, ideas and information. They include charts, graphs, text, photographs, icons, logos and the backgrounds on which they are placed. They are designed to convey the gist of statistical and textural information quickly, often to an audience that is reading an article they accompany or listening to a speaker who uses them as an adjunct to a seminar.

Less is More

The science of information presentation recommends using restraint in designing graphics for audience viewing. Hallmarks of high-quality presentation graphics include attractive color choices that contrast well for optimum readability and well-chosen typography that is easy to read at a distance.

Well-Segmented Information

One of the most common mistakes in designing information graphics is the tendency to put too much information on an individual slide. Consider the analogy of the billboard when constructing individual slices of information. At highway speeds, the average billboard is readable only for a few seconds at a distance. Restricting an individual slide to a similarly bite-sized piece of information is the best way to assure the information is readable and the audience actually reads it.

Tested, Proven Presentation

When conveying complex concepts or sophisticated data analyses, it's a good idea to try out presentation material on a test audience to make sure the presenter's intent reaches the viewer. Testing material in advance also is a good way to assure readability.

References

• "Presentation Graphics"; Lana Johnson, DEAL Lab, University of Nebraska Lincoln
• "Presentation Graphics"; Leland Wilkinson, Department of Statistics, Northwestern University
• Princeton University Macromolecular Crystallography Facility: Presentation Graphics of Protein and DNA Structures
• "How to Write a Research Report and Give a Presentation"; Michael Longan, Department of Geography and Meteorology, Valparaiso University