Information Design (according to the International Institute of Information Design)Â is
the defining, planning, and shaping of the contents of a message and the environments in which it is presented, with the intention to satisfy the information needs of the intended recipients.
Applying the principles of information design to your presentations can be a game-changer, as they encourage you to focus on ensuring your messages are clear, digestible and retainable. Let’s explore how you can apply information design practice to elevate your presentations.
1. Understand your audience
Before diving into the design process, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of your audience. Knowing their interests, knowledge level, and what they hope to gain from your presentation will guide your design choices. Tailoring your content to meet their needs ensures that your presentation is relevant and engaging.
How to Do It: Conduct research or gather feedback to understand your audience’s preferences. Use this information to customise your presentation’s tone, content, and design elements. For instance, a presentation for a tech-savvy audience might include more data visualisation, while a presentation for a general audience might focus on storytelling and visuals.
2. Simplify and focus
One of the core tenets of information design is simplicity. Overloading slides with text, images, or data can overwhelm your audience, making it difficult for them to grasp your key points. Instead, aim to simplify your content, focusing on the essential information that supports your message.
How to Do It: Try the 6x6 rule: no more than six words per line and six lines per slide. This approach keeps your slides uncluttered and ensures that your audience can quickly absorb the information. Highlight key points with bullet points, and use visuals to complement your message, not clutter it.
3. Use visual hierarchy
Visual hierarchy is a design principle that guides the audience’s attention to the most important parts of your presentation. By organising your content in a way that emphasises key points, you can lead your audience through your narrative seamlessly.
How to Do It: Use size, colour, contrast, and positioning to create a clear visual hierarchy. For example, make your main points larger and bolder, use contrasting colours to highlight important information, and arrange your content in a logical flow. Tools like grids and alignment guides in PowerPoint can help you maintain a clean and organised layout.
4. Use consistent branding
Consistency in design not only makes your presentation look professional but also reinforces your brand’s identity and helps retain your audience’s focus (as visual variability can be distracting). Use your brand’s visual identity consistently across all slides to create a cohesive look.
How to Do It: Apply your brand’s colours, fonts, and logo consistently across your slides, using a well-made slide template. Stick to a limited colour palette and choose fonts that are easy to read. Consistent use of these elements helps create a unified and professional appearance, making your presentation more memorable.
5. Leverage data visualisation
Data is a powerful tool, but raw numbers and charts can be dull and difficult to understand. Effective data visualisation turns complex data into intuitive graphics that tell a compelling story.
How to Do It: Choose the right type of visualisation for your data, whether it’s a bar chart, pie chart, infographic, or timeline. Keep visuals simple and easy to interpret. Tools like Tableau, Infogram, or even PowerPoint’s built-in chart features can help you create impactful data visuals.
6. Engage with storytelling
Storytelling is a powerful way to connect with your audience emotionally and make your message more compelling. By weaving your content into a narrative, you can make complex information more relatable and memorable.
How to Do It: Structure your presentation with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Use stories, anecdotes, and real-life examples to illustrate your points. Visual aids, such as images or videos, can enhance your storytelling, making it more engaging and impactful.
7. Test and iterate
The best presentations are often the result of continuous refinement. Testing your presentation on a small audience or reviewing it yourself can help identify areas for improvement.
How to Do It: Rehearse your presentation multiple times, gather feedback from colleagues or friends, and make adjustments based on their input. Pay attention to the flow, clarity, and impact of your slides. Tools like Slidebean or Google Slides’ collaboration features can facilitate easy feedback and iteration.
Information design can level up your presentation’s impact
By applying these information design principles, you can simplify your content, create a strong visual hierarchy, maintain consistent branding, leverage effective data visualisation, engage through storytelling, and continuously refine your presentation. With these strategies, you’ll be well on your way to crafting presentations that not only inform but also inspire and persuade your audience.Â
brightpresentations team of experienced designers have a keen understanding of how to visually communicate your messages succinctly, effectively, memorably and (of course) beautifully. If you’d like to discuss how we can elevate your next presentation, just drop us a line.