What makes a good visual in a presentation?

What makes a good visual in a presentation?

• Add images with hidden meanings.
• Tell a story (perhaps with images).
• Use colours but do not overdo it.
• Make your text clear.
• Be entertaining, engage with the audience.

Basic qualities you need to cover when presenting a presentation

• Use higher resolution images in order to prevent from using pixelated images.
• Adequate size.
• Choose images which has a professional look e.g. (proper composition, lighting, contrast, colour etc.)
• Try not to distort the image too much.
• Ensure that the height and width are equal.

Two main Factors:

1. Image Relevancy: Does it back up/ strengthen the main purpose of your slide?
2. Image Uniqueness: Does the image project out well and catches your audiences attention?

Bad quality images and overused/generic images that do not connect to your message can cause distractions. They don't really help you to back up you message, in fact they do the opposite of helping.  
Using images that are unique but not relevant can turn into decorations (this can damage your presentation).

(These are the two synergy that shouldn’t occur in a presentation.)

Image Relevancy:
Add an image with dialogue/text. It should be more than just a worthy photograph/illustration at it needs to match your message. Organisation and delivery is what makes an effective presentation. Telling a good joke is also a good way to make your presentation interesting. Ensure to position your images in way to portray its relevance to the topic/ main message, it can be accomplished either verbally or with the right balance of text (e.g. title, quote, statement).

Does your approach support rich imagery?

Adding analogies and metaphors can deliver a richer and more memorable visual looking presentation.

Conveying too many ideas or points on a single slide?

Try adding an idea/point per slide. It really helps the audience to digest the information quicker and more unforgettable. Use images as a build up to the main message.

Image Uniqueness :
Always make sure to think that if "your image is going to stand out?", has it got the capability to "capture the attention of your audience?".

Two main areas where a photo can be unique:

• The subject of the photo.
• The composition of the photo.

Subject of the image:

The focal point of an image is the subject of the photo. Ways to make the stock photo more unique is by avoiding tired images.

The 'handshake', 'the globe', 'the arrow/dark in the target', and the 'chess piece' are the typical images that we have seen a thousand times. Try to experiment with new images and shake it up whenever possible.

Unexpected image:
You could use something more playful, retro and unexpected for your presentation images, rather than using the standard product, or business, oriented photos. Perhaps use a comical image to make you audience laugh and to lighten up the atmosphere.

Realistic vs. fake:
Try to keep your images real and relate it to your slides and avoid making it look prefect and artificial.

Exaggeration:
Play acting to be real (unsuccessfully) and making no effort of trying to be real has a difference. Try to exaggerate in order to highlight a key point and to really stand out. Utilize your best judgment with embellishments.

Try using images that focuses on people; especially faces. Researchers have found out that audience's response well with images that relate with people. You can even turn your images into a story in order to make the slide more memorable.


Evoke an emotion:
Use images that elicit an emotional response from your audience; when suitable. It logically helps to draw conclusions, emotions that gets people to act.

Humour:
Provocative and comical pictures draws in your audience.

Composition of the photo:
The use of composition techniques can generate more exciting and unique stock photos.

Asymmetry:

Positioning your subject at the centre is at an amateur standard, however, positioning your photos asymmetrically can make your slide more attention-grabbing.  "Asymmetrical photo links to the rule of thirds."

Empty Space:
Always make sure to leave space to create a contrast with the other image. Furthermore, this allows you to have a convenient location for your text.


Point of view:
Look for new and distinctive angles for your images, good photographers can produce attention-grabbing photos.

Perspective:
You can add depth into your presentation by using an eye in order for capturing perspective.


Cropping:
A close up view of an object can be more engaging rather than seeing the complete image of the object at a normal view. Close up view exposes the details that wouldn't normally be observed.

Background:
Some images are edited and placed on a white background; as they are a good combination with presentation and most templates use white background.

Focus or depth of field:
The use of depth of field creates a fascinating emphasis/focal point of an image. A particular point of the image will be focused, blurring the surroundings.

Framing:
A photographer can capture the focal point of an image by utilizing the tools in the foreground, adding a complexity which completes the overall look of the image making it look interesting and unique.


Action or motion:
To add a vibrant impact to a presentation slide compose an image that captures that moment.

Repetition:
Repetition/ Pattern can emphasize a point and catch the audience's attention.

Colour:
Vivid images draws attention into your presentation slide. Colours highlight a specific part of an image, it expresses the moods and emotions of the image.