With an increasing number of mobile design options emerging by the day, creative people are finding new and powerful ways to flesh out their visual concepts while on the move. The era of the mobile studio is upon us, so we thought we’d share a handful of brilliant apps to help you capture your inspiration whenever–and wherever–it may strike you.

Adobe Ideas

A vector app for iOS and Android that lets you finger paint and sketch. In addition, It works seamlessly with the desktop versions of Illustrator and Photoshop so you can take your creations to the next level when you get home.

http://www.adobe.com/products/adobeideas.html

Source: http://www.adobe.com/products/adobeideas.html

Adobe Photoshop Touch

Create multilayered images, apply filters, and share your creations using your Android tablet. Not only this, the layers are preserved when you bring you creations into Photoshop on your desktop.

http://www.photoshop.com/products/mobile

Source: http://www.adobe.com/products/touchapps.html

Air Display

Brought to you by Avatron. Multiple monitors in a coffee shop for ten bucks. Hard to argue the creative benefit when paired with your laptop and your favorite creative software.

http://avatron.com/

Bamboo Paper

A simple and effective sketchbook app from Wacom, the ever-popular tablet people. Use your fingers or try their Bamboo Stylus for even greater precision.

http://www.wacom.eu/index2.asp?pid=294&lang=en&gm=3

Moodboard2

Collect and organize things that inspire you. Plan your creative projects when the mood strikes, then share with friends or clients.

http://www.atinytribe.com/apps/moodboard

Source: http://www.atinytribe.com/

Photoforge2

Full resolution editing and layer support make this one powerful tool for creative nomads.

http://photoforge2.com/

Source: http://itunes.apple.com/app/photoforge2/id435789422?mt=8

Procreate

Savage Interactive delivers a whopping 1920x1408px canvas to your ipad. Use their intuitive interface to sketch, paint, and even edit photos.

http://savage.si/procreate/

Source: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/procreate/id425073498?mt=8

Sketchbook Pro

Autodesk introduces their digital sketching software to iOS and Android. Voted one of the “5 Must-Have iPad Apps” by Wired Magazine.

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/index?id=6848332&siteID=123112

Snapseed

Nik Software brings us a stunningly simple photo editing app for iOS that features some innovative new filters and options.

http://www.niksoftware.com/snapseed/usa/index.php?view=intro%2Fmain.shtml

Source: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/snapseed-for-ipad/id439438619?mt=8&ls=1

And last, but not least… the zero dollar app that requires no installation:

Light Table Pro-Series Alpha: Championship Edition

Photo courtesy of Andrew Heine. All Rights Reserved.

Now go download one or a bunch of these apps and hit the road!

Recently, InFocus held a “What Not to Present” contest, looking for the worst PowerPoint slide ever created.  After reviewing tons of horrific submissions, they came up with their top choices, and yep, are they bad.

Your slides are a visual representation of your idea and are a reflection of you.  So, we wondered what kind of people make slides like the ‘winners’ of the InFocus contest.  Mouse over the slides below to see who may be responsible for these gems.

So ask yourself, “What does this slide say about me/my idea?”  If the answer conjures up unpleasant images of pocket protectors or big hair, take another pass at your slides, and remember Duarte’s Golden Rule: Never deliver a presentation you wouldn’t want to sit through.

Seven score and seven years ago, Abraham Lincoln delivered one of the most poignant, and most memorable speeches of all time. Three score, one fortnight, and two days ago, Adam Gault posted to Vimeo a lovely homage to the speech, created entirely in After Effects.

Personally, I’ve read the Gettysburg Address several times—first in elementary school, and most recently in Nancy Duarte’s Resonate, where I was able to really appreciate if for the first time; both because I wasn’t going to be tested on it, and because Nancy dissected the words so elegantly. For the first time, the words made a real impact. I didn’t just read them, I heard them.

Adam Gault’s video did the words one better—it made me feel them. The video reminded me both of the heroics that took place at Gettysburg, and also the extreme power of the combination of words and visuals. Well-chosen images have the ability to take well-chosen words to a place beyond the senses, to emotions.

Adam offers a modest explanation of the video:

“…The speech doesn’t really need pictures. But once we started brainstorming we were determined to come up with imagery that would complement the words. We wanted to use simple and subtle metaphors that would give the speech context and create evocative compositions without trying to add meaning. Hopefully we’ve done the writing some justice.”

- Adam Gault

To Adam, Stefanie, Chris, Carlo, and Mitch— Nice work. Honestly, Abe would be proud.

Longtime friend of Duarte, Garr Reynolds has championed the cause of effective presentations through his blog and books for years.  Now he gives you the tools to help you create those effective presentations, all in one beautifully designed (shall we say delicious?) package.

Combining his love of presentations and his love of Japanese culture, Garr packaged his presentation job aids into a bento box-style container that is as functional as it is lovely.

Inside the box we see several items: Two yellow sticky note pads, two red pencils (packaged to resemble chop sticks), a green iStockphoto coupon (good for 20 free images at iStockphoto.com—a $300 value) and a red Presentation Zen DVD.  [Garr chose these colors to reflect the five colors of a balanced Japanese meal—yellow, red, green, black and white].  In the 50 minute DVD, Garr talks shares his Presentation Zen techniques for the preparation, design and delivery of a presentation, incorporating beautiful imagery and illustrative examples to reinforce the principles—a definite must-watch.

But that’s not all!  Underneath the top layer of the box is another layer which contains one more surprise: a 168-page sketch book to use when working on your presentations.

The sketchbook not only has lots of blank pages for your ideas, but also has pages for you to put your sticky notes when you are storyboarding your presentation (see image below).  Garr also includes quotes from Presentation Zen throughout the sketchbook to encourage you as you create your next masterpiece.

With the Presenation Zen Way, Garr serves up presentation help that is both visually delightful and easily digestible.  Itadakimasu! (Japanese for “Let’s Eat!”)

We are so grateful to have had our friend and author of Presentation Zen, Presentation Zen Design, (and coming soon The Naked Presenter!) Garr Reynolds visit us last week. Garr gave us a sneak peek at some of what he’ll cover in his new book, and shared nine lessons from the Japanese bath. (Yes, nine!) Take a note from the onsen and be more comfortable naked with your next presentation!

Thanks to everyone who attended. We hope you enjoyed yourselves; we enjoyed having you!

Don’t forget to pre-order Garr’s new book, and save the date (Thursday, October 7) to attend Duarte’s next event, the Resonate Book Launch!

If you weren’t able to attend last week’s event, here’s what you missed.

Garr Reynolds at Duarte Aug ’10 from Duarte Design on Vimeo.

In our workshops we often show what great stories might look like had they been presented as PowerPoint presentations—usually to demonstrate how the typical business presentation can suck the life out of a powerful story.

We wondered what the PowerPoint version of the recent Double Rainbow web video would look like.  Here is what we thought it might be like, if it were taken and presented in the standard, bullet-style presentation:

Compare that to the original story.

Can you see that there is just something missing from the PowerPoint version?  Where is the passion?  Where is the memorable moment?  Where is the “whoa?”

So, the lesson is to be careful when following the default layouts in PowerPoint.  Ask yourself, “What would be the best way to convey this information?”  Perhaps a bulleted list isn’t the answer.  Maybe just telling a story from the heart will give your amazing story the impact it deserves.

Whoa…

In the early 1400s, Florence, Italy was a hotbed of artistic competition. There were cathedrals to be built, giant baptistery doors to be sculpted, and lots of artists wanting to get in on the action.  Up-and-coming sculptor and architect, Filippo Brunelleschi, was one of those artists.  He had spent much of his life studying ancient Roman architecture and had entered his share of design competitions only to come in second to his more showy, but less qualified, peers. 

As a resident of Florence, Filippo lived in the shadow of the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, the largest cathedral in the world at that time.  Construction on the cathedral had begun in 1296, but after its original architect was unable to come up with a way to construct a dome over the cathedral’s massive nave, the building had remained unfinished for nearly a century.

In 1409, the group in charge of the construction of the cathedral asked Filppo’s opinion about how the dome (cupola) should be built.  He offered several ideas based on his studies of ancient Roman domes, but to his frustration, none of them were implemented.

Nine years later in 1418, the group announced that they were accepting new ideas for how to design the dome.  While at first the competition was only open to local artists, the group eventually opened it up artists all across Europe.  Filippo submitted his name to be included and was eventually invited to participate.  He traveled to Rome to study ancient structures and worked out his design for the dome.

The day of the presentation arrived.  Master builders from all over Europe assembled in the unfinished cathedral.  Each architect presented his solution in turn.  Many ideas were presented.  One thought the dome should be made of “spongestone” to keep the weight down.  Another suggested that they put a giant pillar in the middle.  Yet a third proposed that the dome be filled with earth mixed with money during the construction, and then once it was finished, that citizens be allowed to dig for the money, removing all of the dirt in the process.

Filippo was last to present.  He was confident that he alone, based on his knowledge of ancient methods of dome creation and study of the Gothic techniques, had the answer.   He verbally described his solution: a dome within a dome, octagonal in shape, capped by a lantern to let in light, all of which would be constructed without scaffolding.  They were astonished by his claim and demanded to see his model.  Fearing that the other architects would steal his design, or that (even worse) his design might be given to someone else to build, Filippo flatly refused.

Filippo then issued a challenge, saying that the commission to build the dome should be given to the man who could make an egg stand on end, as that man would have the skills required for the job.  After the various architects tried in vain to accomplish it, Filippo took an egg, whacked it on its end and then placed it on the table where it stood upright and did not fall over.

The other architects protested that they could have done that, too, to which Filippo replied that they could have built the dome, too, had they seen his model.  Impressed, the judges awarded Filippo the commission to construct the dome.

The dome was completed in 16 years and is the largest dome ever created with bricks and masonry.  It has been credited as an inspiration for St. Peter’s dome, St. Paul’s Cathedral in London and even the Capitol Dome in Washington, D.C., and is a must-see destination for all those who visit Florence.

Do you operate in a competitive environment?  Have your great ideas not gotten the chance they deserve?  Do you need to stand out from the crowd in order to be heard?  Sometimes it takes a little extra effort to push a great idea through the cloud of politics and jealousy into the light for everyone to see.

You can do that with your presentation.  Take a cue from a 15^th Century architect and be bold!  Consider using a S.T.A.R. Moment™.  Make yourself memorable.  Take a risk.  Your idea (and possibly the world) will thank you for it.

Several days ago, one of my co-workers sent out a link to a video entitled “Embrace Life”, a commercial promoting seat belt use. Apparently The Sussex Safer Roads Partnership decided that it was time for a seat belt awareness campaign that didn’t use the shock and awe approach. Sussex must be a lot like where I grew up, because the only seat belt awareness messages I’ve seen involve threat of punishment… and punishment by way of fine, personal injury, or death.

The video immediately arrested my attention,  a feat nearly impossible when I am two cups deep into a pot of coffee, and juggling multiple tasks. But by the time the father’s expression changed to concern, I was reacting emotionally to this thing… in my cubicle, of all places. How embarrassing.

I thought to myself, “Don’t blink. Just finish the video, collect yourself, and get back to life as usual. And in the event of a total emo-meltdown, there is Kleenex nearby.”

But I could not go back to life as usual. For some reason I found myself thinking about it the following morning while brushing my teeth. I couldn’t stop thinking about how quickly that video got inside my head. Why did it have such power over me? Was it luck, or was there a formula to charging something that fully with emotion? And how could I bring that same level of emotion to my own creations?

As it turns out, it was no accident. On the production company’s website there is a “Making Of” page, where I learned the method behind this masterpiece.

“I wanted to create a visual metaphor addressing how a single decision in a person’s day can greatly influence both their own and their loved ones’ lives. Choosing to film the story inside the family living room represents the feelings many people equate with their own car, in that it represents a level of safety and protection from the ‘outer’ world.”

This was true for me. Instantly I was thinking about my own family and friends… the people I owe my personal safety to the most.

“So to create the emotion of this dramatic moment, I wanted to tell the story using slow motion to allow the audience the time to be drawn into the film’s world and to let them connect with and project their own feelings onto the scenario playing out before them. I wanted to give the audience the time to breathe, to absorb our message and using slow motion was the right technique to allow this to happen.”

Ahhh so that’s how I got so absorbed. It takes a lot to yank us out of the hypnosis of our routines, but I was completely halted in the first 15 seconds.

“I wanted to keep the audience in the moment and so we kept the film’s look to be subtle and natural, complimenting Luke’s onset lighting.”

Although I didn’t notice it at the time, that may have contributed to my initial impression… that the piece seemed to have no wasted energy. No wasted pixels or motions. Every component has purpose.

“Embrace Life’s music … started with Daniel giving examples of the music he felt best optimised the emotion and tone of Embrace Life and from these guide tracks Sid worked his magic until the right blend was achieved.”

There is a moment of tension when the piano changes key at the 50-second mark… and then there is the impact… and the glitter in the bowl showers down around them like pieces of safety-glass or the fragments of one’s fragile life.

The moral of this story is obviously “fasten your seat belt”… but for us creative types, a secondary message exists: Slow down… eliminate clutter… take the high road to emotional impact and really ENGAGE your viewer. Respect your audience. Don’t threaten them… create imagery that they will WANT to remember and maybe even share… and if you can make them want to call their families after your presentation, well then everybody wins.

Read the full “Making of” page: http://www.alexandercommercials.co.uk/Makingof.html

Alexander Commercials: http://www.alexandercommercials.co.uk/index.html

The Sussex Safer Roads Partnership http://www.sussexsaferroads.gov.uk

Here at Duarte, we help people create cinematic presentations—you know, ones that are the opposite of those word-saturated bullet-rich presentations we have all come to dread.  So, if you want your presentations to be cinematic, why not take a cue from a current movie poster trend and make your color scheme cinematic, too!

The June 25^th edition of Entertainment Weekly commented on a recent trend in movie poster design which pairs the complementary colors blue and orange together for visual impact.

© Entertainment Weekly

While movie posters may be leaning toward these colors lately, using complementary colors to achieve a powerful effect is not a new technique.  Colors that sit across from each other on the color wheel (complementary colors) have high contrast, and contrast, as we teach in our workshops, draws the eye of the audience.

Need to help your audience focus on a particular option?  Consider using a contrasting color to help draw the eye.  The greater the contrast, the easier it will be for your audience to know where to look.

Obviously, this needs to be done within your corporate or predetermined color palette.  No going maverick here.  Usually a well-designed template color palette will have a selection of colors that include some high contrast colors to help you tell your story while still maintaining a consistent overall look for your presentation.

So, for your next presentation, consider adding a bit of contrast to make your message worthy of the big screen.

Duarte has a very special spot in our heart for cause-related work. Aside from allowing us to think outside the box and reach a global audience, it  makes us feel all warm and fuzzy inside, which is always nice.

Thankfully, thought leaders are neck-deep in presentations. And over the years, we’ve learned that a presentation isn’t just standing up and speaking to slides. Whether enticing investors, recruiting volunteers, or raising awareness in the community, thought leaders present information in some form or another at every step along the way. And it’s not always on a podium, in front of an audience.

About Global Citizen Year

Each year, Global Citizen Year (GCY) selects a Corps of high school seniors, and supports them through apprenticeships with social enterprises in Asia, Africa and Latin America during a “bridge year” before college. Students enter college with the ability to speak a second language, a clearer sense of themselves, and a global perspective. Their mission: prepare the next generation to address the global challenges of the 21st century.

Their mission is well-stated, but during pitch meetings, they were met with same questions, and apprehensions time and time again. Speakers had trouble conveying that GCY is an integral step in American education experience,  not a “break” or an “alternative track”. They continued to hear the resounding refrain:

“I really wish I could just see this visually, it would be much easier to explain and be much more powerful!”

GCY recognized that their statement alone was not conveying their message clearly. Typically, this is when most people would open PowerPoint… but GCY went a slightly different route. Below is an explanation from GCY’s Wil Keenan, about how they were able to solve their problem:

“When Abby, the founder of GCY, returned from Pop!Tech with a copy of slide:ology and fundamentals of visual storytelling, she sent her team to the drawing board. As their new media director was looking for other utilities as alternatives to PowerPoint, he stumbled on Prezi. Prezi seemed to be the perfect solution because it was, non linear, it utilized depth of field for emphasis, and could easily navigate an audience through illustrations. After watching a sample presentation on Prezi, GCY was sold that it would be a powerful tool to guide key audiences through their 9-month program model, while keeping everything in the context of the status quo – Americans going directly to college. After crafting an illustration that highlighted the core components of the Global Citizen Year experience, they took the drawing to Prezi, inserted text, and crafted a path:

http://globalcitizenyear.org/program/gcy-experience/

In a similar fashion, the team at GCY knew they wanted to use the components of the illustration to address the core questions and concerns of their applicant pool. So, they used Prezi to walk the applicants through 3 conversations that covered common concerns among applicants:

http://globalcitizenyear.org/apply/deciding-to-join/