How to Make a Presentation Board

So you may not be a graphic designer, but at some point or another you will probably have to create a board for a presentation. After five years of architecture school and several years working in marketing for architecture firms, I've learned a thing or two about designing and assembling presentation boards. Whether you are helping your child with a school assignment, taking a college course that requires public speaking, or preparing for an important meeting in the business world, these tips and tricks will help you create a dynamic presentation board.

Things You'll Need

• Depending on how you choose to make your board, you may need the following:
• Foam Core
• Adhesive Spray
• Computer with page layout program & printer
• Large format paper
• Markers, pens, etc.

Instructions

1. Decide whether you want to create your presentation on the computer or by hand. This of course depends on your time frame, subject matter and audience.

2. 

   If you choose to lay out your board on the computer, you can compose it as one sheet and print it out. Popular layout programs include Adobe Indesign and QuarkXPress. If you aren't familiar with or don't have access to these programs, which can be expensive, try Adobe PageMaker or Microsoft Publisher. You can even use Powerpoint. Print a few 'drafts' and pin them up so you can step away at viewing distance.

3. 

   If you choose to lay out your board by hand, it's a good idea to first do a mock up on butcher paper, the same size and scale as the final. Work out the proportions of your images, etc. and step back to check the size of your text. Stand at the distance your viewers will most likely be - a much different perspective than you have when working on it up close. When you are ready to begin the final, make light pencil lines to create guides for text and sections divisions within your layout.

4. 

   Decide on media if creating your board by hand. Colored pencils and poster paints lend themselves well to creating free-form illustrations. Charcoal and pastels are fast to apply but tend to be messy, so if you decide to use these, make sure to finish with a spray fixative (or hairspray) to keep your work from smudging. Markers provide a clean edge but can look streaky if not applied carefully.

5. 

   Add the finishing touches. If you printed your poster from the computer, you should consider attaching it to a foam core board as most printer paper is very flimsy in large format. The quickest way is to attach with clips. In terms of adhesives, spray adhesive is the neatest option, just be careful that you line up the edges before you press down. Smooth from the middle out to the edges. This method can work for attaching items to a hand rendered presentation as well. If you must use glue, apply it with a scrap of paper, spreading it out thinly to avoid tell-tale glue bubbles.

Tips & Warnings

• Colors can really make a presentation pop, but the most effective graphics are limited to two or three colors.

• Keep it simple. While your layout need not be symmetrical, clean and orderly is the best approach.