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Visual Aids 2
Preparing visual aids (contd)
Keep your visual aids simple so they:
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Help understanding
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Make a greater impact on the audience
This applies to the text used, the amount of information and the use of colour.
Preparing Visual Aids
Text Size
The audience must be able to read the text so use a legible font
size.
Italics
Avoid it if possible as it is more difficult to read and
causes the reader to pause.
Punctuation
Punctuation is generally not required.
Numbering and bullet points
Usually use bullet points, only use numbering when you wish
to indicate an order of importance as numbers imply priority whereas
bullet point imply neutrality or equal weighting.
Capitalisation
Avoid it unless you want to draw attention to a particular
word; do not produce blocks of capitalised text - it is clumsy and distracting
to the reader.
White space
Leave plenty of 'white space' on the visual aid to 'frame' the written
content.
Visual Aids
They are aids and should not to be read to the audience - just
key words so the presenter can fill in the missing words and deal with
any implications.
Layout
Establish a clear hierarchy of content to help lead the viewer
through the presentation. Be consistent with use of headings, content
and bullet points - consistency puts the viewer at ease. Avoid inconsistent
layout of content as it distracts from the message.
Colour
Use colour to enforce the page hierarchy. Avoid clashing
or low-contrast colours and text. Avoid clashing colours as they make
content hard to read. Avoid low-contrast colours and text which visually
impaired or colour-blind viewers may be unable to read.
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