Visual Slide Design

for Engaging, Memorable

Presentations
Michele Van Hoeck
Margot Hanson

Cal Maritime Library

According to the picture superiority effect, pictures are
remembered better than words—especially for casual
exposure to information for limited time.

Use pictures and words together so they reinforce the

same information for optimal effect.

See this effect used widely in marketing

communications, such as posters, billboards, brochures,
annual reports, etc.

Visual imagery is a powerful mnemonic tool that helps

learning and increases retention compared to, say,
witnessing someone read words off a screen.

Garr Reynolds, Presentation Zen Design

Picture Superiority Effect:

• Pictures remembered better than words in cases of:

• casual exposure
• limited amount of time

• Reinforce by using pictures and words together

• Used extensively in:

• posters
• billboards
• brochures
• annual reports

Visual imagery is a powerful mnemonic tool that helps

learning and increases retention.
Image from Presentation Zen Design by Garr Reynolds
 Recognition Rates

Pictures Only

Text Only

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%

from Brain Rules, John Medina

 Visuals support learning

“Several studies show recognition doubles

for a picture compared with text.”

Dr. John Medina, Brain Rules

 Recognition doubles
for a picture
compared with text.

Dr. John Medina

author, Brain Rules
Who is your audience?

From The National Archives (United Kingdom)

One idea per slide
Preserve“white space”
A slide's message
should be able to be
processed within
three seconds.
Insert: Shape
To create visual emphasis
Insert: SmartArt
To show relationships or process
Research Assignment
Topic

Research Question

Thesis Statement
 Flight Plan
San
Francisco

Belize City Glasgow

Athens Rome
Article in The Economist says:

More
global
More warming
deforestation
More
organic
farming
Insert: Picture
For emotional impact
Inspiration & Alternatives
Group Practice
Sample slide with bullets

We will select a couple of elements

to convert to visual format
Watchstanding
• All cadets “stand watch” on the TSGB or on campus
• Watches are scheduled in four-hour blocks from 4:30
p.m. until 7:30 a.m. during the week and 24 hours
per day on weekends
• Provides security and safety on campus and on the
ship
• Part of Leadership Development by providing cadets
with increasing levels of responsibility as they
progress through their education
 All cadets stand watch
On TSGB or On Campus
Watchstanding Hours

8:30- 12:30-
12:30 4:30

4:30-8:30
Increasing leadership responsibility

Juniors
Sophomores
Freshmen
Your Turn!
Open slides you brought with you...

Make them visual!

Bibliography
Nancy Duarte. Slide:ology
Sebastopol, CA: O'Reilly Media, 2008

Garr Reynolds. Presentation Zen

Berkeley, CA: New Riders, 2010