How can you effectively present trend forecasts to a team of designers?

1 Know your audience

Before you start creating your presentation, you need to understand who you are talking to and what they expect from you. Are you presenting to a team of designers who are working on a specific project or a general overview of the industry? Are they familiar with the trend sources and methods you used or do they need some background information? Are they looking for concrete solutions or creative ideas? Knowing your audience will help you tailor your content, tone, and style to their needs and interests.

2 Choose your format

There are many ways to present trend forecasts, such as reports, mood boards, videos, infographics, or interactive platforms. The format you choose should reflect the purpose, scope, and depth of your presentation, as well as the preferences and capabilities of your audience. For example, if you want to showcase a broad range of trends and inspire your team with visual examples, you might opt for a video or a mood board. If you want to explain the rationale and implications of a specific trend and provide actionable recommendations, you might prefer a report or an infographic.

3 Organize your content

A good presentation should have a clear structure that guides your audience through your trend forecast. You should start with an introduction that summarizes the main topic, goal, and key points of your presentation. Then, you should divide your content into logical sections that cover the different aspects of your trend forecast, such as the drivers, indicators, scenarios, and applications of the trends. Finally, you should end with a conclusion that highlights the main takeaways and invites feedback or questions from your audience.

4 Use visual aids

Visual aids can enhance your presentation by making it more engaging, memorable, and persuasive. They can help you illustrate your trend forecast with examples, data, or stories that support your arguments and show the potential impact of the trends. However, you should use visual aids wisely and sparingly, as too many or too complex ones can distract or confuse your audience. You should also make sure that your visual aids are relevant, clear, and consistent with your content and format.

5 Practice and refine

The last step before delivering your presentation is to practice and refine it. You should rehearse your presentation several times, either alone or with a colleague or friend, to check the timing, flow, and delivery of your content. You should also review your presentation for any errors, inconsistencies, or gaps that might undermine your credibility or clarity. You should also prepare for any questions or challenges that your audience might have and think of how to address them confidently and respectfully.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?