In today’s busy world, we are often faced with the need to get a presentation together in a short period of time. In this post I am going to show you my proven 3 step process to get your presentation design started off on the right foot, so you can create an awesome final product. We often want to sit down at the computer and startup Powerpoint or Keynote, and start making slides for our presentation. If you can take just a few minutes to institute the following 3 steps, I’m confident that your presentation design will go to the next level.
Step 1 – Brainstorm and Plan (On Paper!)
With all of the new interactive and simple to use software we have available today, it is very easy to jump right in creating our presentation in our slide making software of choice. But as we discussed in a recent post Makeover Your Powerpoint Slides in 3 Easy Steps how that approach can easily lead to slides that act as notes for your presentation, and have way too many bullet points. In this first step, you must step back from the computer and begin to let the creative juices flow. I like to take a list of my objectives for the presentation and write down as many key nuggets of information, stories, and resources that I can use to prove the objectives. This is best done with good old fashioned “post-it” notes and a pen. This process allows you to move the notes around on your desk and organize the presentation visually. Below is a recent presentation in which I used handwritten notes to brainstorm my presentation.
Now if you are like me and just can’t go without technology, you could use an app like StickyBoard 2 for your iPad wich allows you to create virtual “post-it” notes during this part of the process.
Step 2 – Layout Presentation Slides
Now is the time to take your notes from the initial brainstorming session and begin to layout the presentation. I prefer to do this using light table view, or the slide sorter view, where I create blank slides that mirror the main topic from my post-it notes. Below is an example of step 2 in the process. This helps to ensure that all sections of the presentation flow together, and that you are still focusing on the content of your presentation and not yet getting concerned with design elements. The pitfall here is that if you rush this step, you can end up with a lot of really pretty slides but no real content to discuss as the presenter. Remember the slides are a visual aid to assist YOU the presenter with delivery of the material. The final part of step 2 is to make notes on the actual slides shown below that remind you what kind of images or content you want on the slide to make your point. (DO NOT GET CONCERNED WITH FINDING IMAGES IN THIS STEP!!!)
Step 3 – Choose Images & Design Slides
Now we are ready to create images to match our slides and more importantly, the content we are presenting. Start with each slide from the image above and change them from a solid black slide to something creative and exciting for your audience. I will often make notes on slides such as “Pic of child on bike with training wheels” so that I know exactly the kind of image I want to put in my audiences mind during a specific point in the presentation. However, by only placing a note, I do not lose track of my underlying content. I will be able to focus on that specific image later in the process, and give if my full attention. Using this 3 step process to begin your presentation will hopefully eliminate your desire to go after cool images before creating the presentation content. NOTE: It is of course okay to grab a key picture or two that you know will be great in this presentation during step 2, but you need to resist the urge to get caught up with photos before you are finished with your main content outline.
Now that the 3 key steps are completed to begin your presentation, it is time to start brining all of the content together and let the creativity flow. By creating a solid outline based on your objectives in the beginning, you can really find the images that accent your key points. Remember to design clean attractive slides that will connect your audience with the main points, and truly be a visual aid for your presentation. If you are looking for more help on creating slides that use less bullet points, and are more visually appealing, check out this link. from a previous post. Good luck on your next presentation, I know it will be Awesome!
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