How can you determine the ideal length for a design pitch?

1 Know your purpose

The first thing to consider when deciding the length of your design pitch is the purpose of your presentation. What are you trying to achieve with your pitch? Are you introducing a new concept, explaining a process, demonstrating a prototype, or proposing a solution? Depending on your purpose, you might need more or less time to convey your message effectively. For example, if you are introducing a new concept, you might want to spend more time on the background, the problem, and the opportunity. If you are demonstrating a prototype, you might want to focus more on the features, the benefits, and the feedback.

2 Know your audience

The second thing to consider when deciding the length of your design pitch is the audience of your presentation. Who are you pitching to, and what are their expectations, needs, and preferences? Are they familiar with your project, or do they need some context? Are they technical or non-technical, or a mix of both? Are they decision-makers or influencers, or both? Depending on your audience, you might need to adjust the level of detail, the tone, and the format of your pitch. For example, if you are pitching to a technical audience, you might want to include more data, evidence, and specifications. If you are pitching to a non-technical audience, you might want to use more stories, analogies, and visuals.

3 Know your format

The third thing to consider when deciding the length of your design pitch is the format of your presentation. How are you delivering your pitch, and what are the constraints and opportunities of the medium? Are you presenting in person, online, or via email? Are you using slides, video, or audio? Are you interacting with your audience, or sending them a recorded or written pitch? Depending on your format, you might need to adapt the length, the structure, and the style of your pitch. For example, if you are presenting in person, you might want to keep your pitch shorter and more engaging, and use cues like eye contact, gestures, and questions. If you are sending an email pitch, you might want to make your pitch longer and more detailed, and use headings, bullet points, and attachments.

4 Know your time limit

The fourth thing to consider when deciding the length of your design pitch is the time limit of your presentation. How much time do you have to pitch, and how much time does your audience have to listen? Are you given a specific slot, or can you choose how long you want to pitch? Are you competing with other pitches, or are you the only one? Depending on your time limit, you might need to prioritize, summarize, or expand on your pitch. For example, if you have a short time limit, you might want to highlight the most important points, use clear and concise language, and end with a strong call to action. If you have a long time limit, you might want to cover more aspects, use examples and anecdotes, and invite feedback and questions.

5 Know your content

The fifth thing to consider when deciding the length of your design pitch is the content of your presentation. What are the key elements of your design solution, and how can you organize them in a logical and compelling way? How can you balance the information, the emotion, and the action of your pitch? How can you use visuals, stories, and metaphors to enhance your pitch? Depending on your content, you might need to edit, refine, or supplement your pitch. For example, if you have too much content, you might want to cut out the irrelevant, redundant, or confusing parts, and use the rule of three to structure your pitch. If you have too little content, you might want to add some context, evidence, or testimonials, and use the STAR method to structure your pitch.

6 Know your feedback

The sixth thing to consider when deciding the length of your design pitch is the feedback of your presentation. How can you test, measure, and improve your pitch based on the response of your audience? How can you solicit and incorporate feedback from your peers, mentors, or experts? How can you iterate and refine your pitch until you reach the optimal length? Depending on your feedback, you might need to revise, tweak, or polish your pitch. For example, if you get positive feedback, you might want to reinforce the strengths of your pitch, and use them as benchmarks for future pitches. If you get negative feedback, you might want to identify the weaknesses of your pitch, and use them as opportunities for improvement.

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?