Answer 2_11_10

The sales director has developed a presentation.  It is planned that the sales team will deliver this as part of a sales talk to large audiences at various locations throughout the country.

(a)    Give three advantages of using presentation graphics over traditional methods such as OHP.                                                                                      

(b)    State three design considerations to be taken into account when developing the presentation.  

(a) Advantages:

• Looks more "professional", as user is not having to rummage through OHP sheets and having to weight them down;
• Greater range of colours.  OHPs are usually duplicated in black and white, since colour duplication is expensive.  Colours, if used at all, are restricted to the colours available with OHP pens.
• OHP transparencies look faded quite quickly.  Not a problem with presentation graphics;
• Animations can be added to enhance points made in the talk;
• Video clips can be added.

(b) Considerations:

• The interface needs to be the same for all users, and should be able to be used by the least computer literate.  Standard symbols should be used so all can understand;
• Avoidance of too much text on the slides;
• Use of colour in the graphics.  Blue type on a blue background should be avoided, as it cannot be read well;
• Break up the text with pictures to enhance the points.

[Side note: Many presenters do not follow this advice.  Their presentations are long lists of bullet points which they read solemnly from the screen, while the audience gets a glazed look.  I even know of someone high up in an organisation whose prepared presentation graphics (consisting of lots of bullet points) are printed onto OHP transparencies in black and white, totally defeating the object of presentation graphics.]

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