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Start with a pencil, not a mouse.
OK, I’m tired of seeing presentations that are seemingly inspired while sitting at the computer. It feels like people don’t sketch anymore. ¡C’mon! We are seeing too many presentation designs that scream, “Hey, I know how to use the new 3D tool in PowerPoint!”
Remember: Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.
You are creating a presentation to inform, connect, and engage your audience. Sometimes, design that starts on the computer is never fully developed and may never have a REAL concept or story behind it. When you rely too heavily on the tools and not the ideation, you end up with a presentation that looks polished on the surface, but lacks any unique or engaging ideas. In other words, you get a pretty presentation that has no emotional connection with the audience.
The solution? Let’s back it up and sketch it out! Ideas first, execution second!
Sketching can sometimes be intimidating, but really, it’s not about how clean your lines are. It’s about idea generation. Here’s an example of concept sketches where the designer proposed multiple solutions for one concept. The initial rough sketches only need to be good enough for your team members to see your ideas. The refined sketch it is what you present to your boss or a client. And the final slide shows how it was executed digitally. This is just a snapshot of a larger project, but you get the idea.
Here’s another example of a storyboard, showing again how rough your initial sketches can be.
So, the next time you sit down to create a presentation, don’t get caught up with the newest and coolest tools, because all it takes to create great slides is a pencil and an idea. And anybody can do it, (especially you.)
Back to TopTopic: Design, Strategy
Tags: concept, sketch, storyboard
- COMMENTS (5)
i completely agree with the concept, but am having trouble seeing how your examples illustrate this. shouldn’t an outline with words, ideas, or basic concepts precede even sketches of “slides”? to me, there isn’t much difference between what you say you shouldn’t do on a computer and what you actually have done with paper/pencil except for the choice of medium. surely the idea must be to get it all down as concept (just a couple of words) frist, THEN figure out how best to bring that concept home for the audience.
Ok guys… (Bruce & Susan)
Helooo… the question is simple and basic…
1. Think about yor message
2. Think about who your audience is – do it ALWAYS!
3. Write down your message if you feel you have to, underline main guides – them throw away garb… sorry, excess, and keep key topics.
4. Seat and sketch – Don’t wail you can’t sketch, you can’t draw, bla, bala, you did it when you were a child… with no complains, just do it the same way now.
5. Turn the computer on? NO!
6. Get a professional presentations designer, him/her will interpret your ideas, give inputs and put it into “slideware” much better than you would do even in your wildest dreams!
Hey Diandra,
Please don’t get me wrong but… is it me or… someone is running out of subject?
You’re all repeating the same common sense ideas (designer’s view).
Or is it a strategy? “Let’s flood them with the same, again and again,
until they finally see the light?”
Are they that dumb…?
Well, according to my experience, except for a few… maybe…
LOL
Hi all,
Miguel.M, I seem to agree with your point #6. It’s always good to get a professional to do the stuff they’re trained for… the difference is always clear.
Nice blog Diandra, you’ve really inspired me to get back to the basics.
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Bruce
December 3rd, 2008
12:39 pm
Diandra, I enjoy the blog much. BUT – I cannot, repeat – cannot sketch or draw or…. But I think the main point is to be conceptually creative and free to develop the storyline without constraints. And I agree with the much. I try to visualize the “space”, “attitude” and vital components of a slide before I start working on it. Your post will push me to do more of that in my brain before I do it on the screen. Thanks.