How can you improve your visual aids for research presentations?

1 Choose the right type of visual aid

Depending on your purpose, audience, and content, you may want to use different types of visual aids for your research presentations. Some common types are graphs, charts, tables, diagrams, images, videos, and animations. Each type has its own strengths and limitations, so you need to consider which one best suits your data, analysis, and story. For example, graphs are good for showing trends, patterns, and relationships, while tables are good for displaying precise numbers, comparisons, and categories. Images can illustrate concepts, examples, or emotions, while videos and animations can demonstrate processes, effects, or scenarios.

2 Design your visual aids for clarity and impact

Once you have decided on the type of visual aid, you need to design it for clarity and impact. This means using simple, consistent, and appropriate formats, colors, fonts, labels, and legends. Avoid clutter, confusion, and distortion by eliminating unnecessary elements, aligning and spacing your components, and choosing accurate and proportional scales and shapes. Use contrast, emphasis, and hierarchy to highlight the most important or relevant information and guide your audience's attention. Also, make sure your visual aids are readable and visible from a distance and on different devices.

3 Integrate your visual aids with your speech

Your visual aids should not replace or repeat your speech, but rather complement and reinforce it. To integrate your visual aids with your speech, you need to plan, practice, and present them effectively. Plan how and when you will introduce, explain, and refer to your visual aids in your speech. Use transitions, cues, and questions to connect your visual aids to your main points and arguments. Practice using your visual aids in advance to check their timing, functionality, and compatibility with your speech. Present your visual aids with confidence and enthusiasm, but do not rely on them too much or lose eye contact with your audience.

4 Adapt your visual aids to your context and audience

Your visual aids should not be static or generic, but rather dynamic and tailored to your context and audience. To adapt your visual aids to your context and audience, you need to consider the following factors: the size and layout of the room, the equipment and software available, the time and duration of your presentation, the background and expectations of your audience, and the tone and style of your communication. For example, you may need to adjust the size, resolution, or brightness of your visual aids depending on the lighting and projection of the room. You may also need to simplify, elaborate, or modify your visual aids depending on the level of familiarity, interest, or feedback of your audience.

5 Review and revise your visual aids

Your visual aids are not finished until you review and revise them. To review and revise your visual aids, you need to check them for accuracy, consistency, and quality. Check your data, sources, and calculations for accuracy and validity. Check your formats, colors, and fonts for consistency and harmony. Check your images, videos, and animations for quality and copyright. You may also want to get feedback from others, such as your peers, mentors, or experts, to identify and correct any errors, gaps, or improvements.

6 Test and troubleshoot your visual aids

Your visual aids are not ready until you test and troubleshoot them. To test and troubleshoot your visual aids, you need to prepare for possible technical issues, glitches, or failures. Prepare backup copies, formats, and devices for your visual aids in case of loss, damage, or incompatibility. Test your visual aids in the actual setting and equipment of your presentation to ensure their functionality and visibility. Troubleshoot any problems that may arise during your presentation, such as slow loading, distorted display, or broken links. Have a contingency plan in case your visual aids are not working or available, such as using handouts, whiteboards, or verbal descriptions.

7 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?