Design and Use of Visual Aids

Level 50

Language Centre

University of Saskatchewan

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Design and Use of Visual Aids

I. Purpose of Visuals

II. Types of Audio Visuals

III. Evaluating Visuals

IV. Designing Visuals

V. Using Visuals

I. Purpose of Visuals

• Focus attention

• Make the verbal message stronger

• Stimulate/maintain interest

• Illustrate complex concepts that are difficult to visualize

• Help audience understand and remember the info

Sausage Maker Co.Fruit and Wine Press

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Technology and Investment

TechnoCompanyCorporate Profits After-Tax

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$ billions

II. Types of Audio Visuals

• Actual Object

• Models

• Chalkboard

• Flipchart/Poster

• Overhead

• Computer

• Music and Videos

III. Evaluating Visuals

• Is it relevant?

• Is the message clear and easy to understand?

• Is it attractive and easy to read?

Apple

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Durian Fruit

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Wine

Obikwa’s Unique Label

IV. Designing Visuals

• Make each visual stand on its own

• Make the visuals balanced and consistent

• Make visuals easy to read

• Include only your main points

TechnoCompany

Organ/Tissue Donation and Registry Expenses

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I. Purpose of Visuals

• Focus attention

• Make the verbal message stronger

• Stimulate/maintain interest

• Illustrate complex concepts that are difficult to visualize

• Help audience understand and remember the info

III. Evaluating Visuals• Is it relevant?

• A visual aid needs to help the audience understand the point you are making in your presentation

• The audience needs to clearly understand why you are showing the visual. It needs to serve a real purpose.

• Is the message clear and easy to understand?

• The audience should be able to understand the message of the visual in a couple of seconds.

• Give them time to read and look at the visual before you start talking again.

• Is it attractive and easy to read?• The text should be typed, not handwritten• The font should be simple, dark, and large

enough to see• The visual should be clean• Don’t use too many colors• The content shouldn’t be too complex or

have too much information

IV. Designing Visuals

• Make each visual stand on its own

• Make the visuals balanced and consistent

• Make visuals easy to read

• Include only your main points

V. Using Visuals• Beforehand, make sure:

– everyone can see– equipment works – you have a backup plan

• Show visual when you talk about it• Show visual for 5 seconds before

speaking• Introduce visual and tell or indicate

what’s important• Don’t talk to the screen• Remove visual when you are finished