Posters, slides for presentations, websites, etc. are examples of design-rich objects within the field of visual communication. They rely on graphic elements and visuals to communicate their messages effectively.

The number of resources gathered here will change over time. Please come back occasionally to see what’s new, and check in with the Academic Technologists for more resources.

Graphic design and quantitative presentation skills, presented by Doug Foxgrover.

Great student presentations

Introduction to the “Morrison” poster (Inside Higher Ed article).

Posters

Getting Started

venn diagram with three circles: Diagramming, Feedback, Condensation as processes feeding off each other. the three circles are Concise, Visually explanatory, fit to audience, the center says effective posters.

Posters are a visual communications medium (like an image, video or billboard) more than a textual communications medium (like a paper, article, report or book). Poster assignments demonstrate students’ ability to show (not tell) their learning to an audience wider than just the instructor. Effective posters communicate important findings and ideas quickly and incite conversation about the work. They attract your attention and draw you in — you WANT to go over and see them.

Postermakers often use the medium of writing/telling on their poster, producing hard-to-read blocks of text that follow a paper-based outline (introduction, abstract, methods, data, results, discussion, conclusion). Low-stakes scaffolding activities and structured feedback can help students create more effective posters.

More info

Low-stakes scaffolding assignments:

Software help (including PowerPoint, Keynote, Prezi, etc.)

Design choices

Presentations

Getting started

Presentations generally take one of two forms: Ballroom/Classroom (large group) presentations or Boardroom/Conference room (small group) presentations. (A third type of presentation is used in a courtroom, where a case is presented to a jury.)

Large-group presentations (e.g., TED talk, or Convo) are the most common. The speaker is on stage or in front of a group and often uses slides or other demonstrations to help communicate their message. The goal is to educate and/or entertain. 

Small-group presentations are used when the goal is to persuade a small group of decision-makers to take specific actions. The speaker is at the table with the other participants, and paper printouts are used in place of projected slides, to take advantage of their high resolution. 

More info

There are 3 main activities involved in crafting a presentation:

  1. Create a script or screenplay (what you’re going to say) from the Big Idea of your talk
  2. Build your slide deck or handouts (what you’re going to show)
  3. Practice/rehearse your presentation

More details are available in the Presentation Prep document.

Great student presentations (2020)