Using Presentation Aids

or image. Use a blank PowerPoint slide or, if it’s within easy reach, simply cover the projector lens when you don’t want the audience to be looking at a slide.

Repeat Visual Elements to Unify Your Presentation Use a common visual element, such as a bullet or other symbol, at the beginning of each word or phrase on a list. Use common color schemes and spacing to give your visuals coherence. Also, avoid mixing different fonts. You get a professional, polished look when you use the same visual style for each of your images.

The most significant advantage of computer graphics is the ease with which they allow you to display visual images. Both color and black-and-white images are avail- able as clip art. Clip art consists of pictures and other images that are either in printed form or stored in a computer file. You can incorporate these images into your visuals. Clip art (as shown in Figure 12.7) can give your visuals and graphics a pro- fessional touch even if you did not excel in art class.

Choose a Typeface with Care You’ll be able to choose from among dozens of typefaces and fonts. But make an informed choice rather than use a typeface just because it strikes your fancy. Graphic designers divide typefaces into four types: serif, sans serif, script, and decorative. You’ll see each of these illustrated in Figure 12.8. Serif fonts, like the one you are reading now, are easier to read for longer passages because the little lines at the tops and bottoms of the letters (called serifs) help guide the eye from one letter to the next. Sans serif fonts (sans means “without”) do not have the extra lines. Script fonts are designed to look like handwriting; although interesting and dramatic, script fonts should be used sparingly because they are harder to read. And you should use decorative fonts only when you want to communicate a special tone or mood. Regardless of which font style or typeface you use, don’t use more than one or two typefaces on a single visual; if you do use two, designers suggest they should be from different font categories.

Make Informed Decisions about Using Color Color communicates. Red and orange are warm colors that communicate excitement and interest (which is why most fast-food restaurant chains use red, yellow, and orange in their color schemes; they want to make you hungry and catch your attention). Cooler colors such as green and blue have a more calming effect on viewers. Warm colors tend to come forward and jump out at the viewer, whereas cooler colors recede into the background. What are the implications of the power of color to communicate? Consider using warm colors for positive messages (for example,“Profits are up”) and cooler colors for more negative messages (“We’re losing money”).

Designers caution against using certain color combinations. For example, if some audience members are color-blind, they won’t be able to distinguish between red and green. And you don’t want to get carried away with using color. To unify your

FIGURE 12.7 Copyright-free clip art is readily available at many Web sites. It can give a professional look to your visuals and memorably reinforce your verbal messages.

clip art Images or pictures stored in a computer file or in printed form that can be used in a presentation aid

font A particular style of typeface

Common Meeting Mistakes

✓ Missed the meeting

✓ Did other work during the meeting

✓ Missed part of the meeting

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presentation, use the same background color on all visuals and no more than two colors for words. A light background with darker-colored words can have a pleasing effect and is easy to see.