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Visuals for Technical Presentations Steven B. Zwickel

7 Visuals for Technical Presentations Steven B. Zwickel Visuals for Technical Presentations Use visuals to . . . Display data Compare options Show how process works Show steps in problem-solving Graphics help display data visually Main types of data graphics

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Visuals for Technical Presentations Steven B. Zwickel

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  1. 7 Visuals for Technical PresentationsSteven B. Zwickel

  2. Visuals for Technical Presentations Use visuals to. . . Display data Compare options Show how process works Show steps in problem-solving

  3. Graphics help display data visually Main types of data graphics • Tables present data accurately and concisely • Any graphic that is not a table is a figure

  4. .690 .99 .98 1.99 4.67 Data Graphics: Using Tables Keep Tables simple • Avoid having too many decimal places .009892256357865658 • Use scientific notation • Leave out 000s • Make significant information obvious • Line up decimal columns • Total columns (if appropriate)

  5. Data Graphics: Using Figures • Identify each graphic so reader knows what it is Number, Label parts (use callouts), and always give Sources • Title each graphic • Include notes to explain graphics right under title or at bottom callout

  6. Figures (6mos.)

  7. Ford Chevy MPG Resale value Cost Babe/Hunk magnet Overall Score Comparisons Part-by-part or whole-by-whole Use grid to show comparison of alternatives • Determine criteria • Weight criteria • Compare apples to apples

  8. Flowcharts help show how process works autoshapes Conventional flow chart

  9. Intro • Gather data • Interview experts • Read reports Draft • Enter data • Review article • Design logo Review • Edit for accuracy • Add index • Insert photos Top-down Flow Chart • Show whole process at once • Then each step can become a visual • Or, each sub-step can become a visual

  10. Showing a multi-step process

  11. Model for Showing Problem-solving Process 1. What’s the problem? Description of symptoms; show why problem is significant 2. What’s causing the problem? Problem statement; Show cause and effect 3. What solutions are available? Discuss what research shows; what’s been tried 4. How do you select best solution? Set criteria and compare options

  12. Props Models/ mockups/ props/ samples Maps: are a special case Pictures Tables; Graphs & Charts Photographs: 35mm slides, Overheads Schematics; Exploded view Flowcharts Computer Animations 3D and Virtual Reality Interactive multi-media Using Pictures and Props • BEST OF ALL: Show your audience the “real thing”

  13. Adding Pictures to Visuals • Clip art • Scanned-in photos • Download from Internet • Digital camera • 3D images • Maps

  14. Clipart: Only in an emergency • Just because your computer can do something doesn't mean you should do it!

  15. Scanned Photographs • Work very well in many media • Require more preparation and good photography

  16. Taking Pictures from the Internet • Can look fuzzy • Poor resolution • Too pixelated • Gets worse when enlarged • Colors look different on different systems

  17. Digital Camera Photos • Can help bring images to audience • Same problems as downloading from web

  18. 3D images CAD and other 3D programs can show audience what something will look like Artist’s conception of new office

  19. Use maps carefully Usually have too much detail • White out unnecessary details • Keep them very very simple • Always indicate... • North • Scale

  20. How to Solve Problems of Scale • Use models, videotape, photos • Enlarge small objects • Reduce large objects to manageable size • Hold props up high • Pass small samples around • Find ways to show motion

  21. Models/ mockups/ props/ samples 1. Take time to prepare in advance 2. Less-than-professional job looks amateurish 3. Most effective way of enlarging very small objects or reducing large ones to understandable size 4. Most effective way of providing concrete evidence to audience—can combine vision, touch, taste, smell, sound 5. Can be passed around while presentation in progress or viewed during any point

  22. Interact with your Audience! Talk to your audience, not to your visuals Keep your head up when you talk Don't read visuals to your audience, unless they can't read Put complex ideas and extensive data on handouts

  23. Interact with your Visuals! • Use a pointer, check things off, underline • If you use a pointer, find your place on the visual, put the pointer on it, then turn to face audience • Don't bang on the screen with pointer • Leave visuals up long enough for audience to read them • Project visuals high enough so they can be seen in back row without obstruction

  24. Fruits Fruits Fruits a. apples a. apples a. apples b. bananas b. bananas c. cherries Revealing information part-by-part • Progressive disclosure: Covering part of a visual arouses curiosity, but distracts • Overlaying is better than progressive disclosure

  25. The End Preparation & Practice will pay off

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