Visual Aids

We use visuals to:
* Support a thesis

• Make abstract ideas more real
• Break the tedium
• Convince a skeptical audience

2. Visuals include
   • Charts, data
   • Cartoons, drawings
   • Photos (e.g. pictures, mug shots)
   • Videos
   • Text art
   • Speaker image
3. Four principles of design
   • Contrast (to create interest & organize ideas)
   • Repetition (to reinforce key points, establish interest)
   • Alignment (to unify & organize information on the page)
   • Proximity (to organize ideas)
4. Elements of visual design
   • Color
   • Size
   • Placement
   • White space
   • Font (typeface, size)
   • Language
   • Emotional tone
   • Sound
5. Effective visuals
   • Convey one thought
   • Are concisely expressed (a few key words)
   • Are easy to understand
   • Are aligned for readability
   • Reinforce speaker message
   • Use just one font (but may vary font size)
   • Project well (e.g. color, contrast, size, alignment, placement)
   • Are appropriate to subject
   • Add meaning