Making Slides

or
Avoiding the Pitfalls of Bad Slides

J. Murali Krishnan

Department of Civil Engineering

IIT Madras
jmk@iitm.ac.in

Aug. - Nov. 2013 - ID6020

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 1/55

Outline

Outline and Slide Structure

Fonts

Color and Background

Spelling and Grammar

Graphs

Poster

Design of Slides

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 2/55

Outline

Outline and Slide Structure

Fonts

Color and Background

Spelling and Grammar

Graphs

Poster

Design of Slides

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 2/55

Outline

Outline and Slide Structure

Fonts

Color and Background

Spelling and Grammar

Graphs

Poster

Design of Slides

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 2/55

Outline

Outline and Slide Structure

Fonts

Color and Background

Spelling and Grammar

Graphs

Poster

Design of Slides

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 2/55

Outline

Outline and Slide Structure

Fonts

Color and Background

Spelling and Grammar

Graphs

Poster

Design of Slides

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 2/55

Outline

Outline and Slide Structure

Fonts

Color and Background

Spelling and Grammar

Graphs

Poster

Design of Slides

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 2/55

Outline

Outline and Slide Structure

Fonts

Color and Background

Spelling and Grammar

Graphs

Poster

Design of Slides

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 2/55

 Outline and Slide Structure

Fonts

Color and Background

Spelling and Grammar

Graphs

Poster

Design of Slides

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 3/55

Outline of a Slide

Make your first or 2nd slide an outline of your presentation

Follow the order of your outline for the rest of the

presentation

Only place main points on the outline slide

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 4/55

Outline of a Slide

Make your first or 2nd slide an outline of your presentation

Follow the order of your outline for the rest of the

presentation

Only place main points on the outline slide

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 4/55

Outline of a Slide

Make your first or 2nd slide an outline of your presentation

Follow the order of your outline for the rest of the

presentation

Only place main points on the outline slide

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 4/55

Slide Structure - Good

Use 1-2 slides per minute of your presentation

Write in point form, not complete sentences

Include 4-5 points per slide

Avoid wordiness: use key words and phrases only

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 5/55

Slide Structure - Good

Use 1-2 slides per minute of your presentation

Write in point form, not complete sentences

Include 4-5 points per slide

Avoid wordiness: use key words and phrases only

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 5/55

Slide Structure - Good

Use 1-2 slides per minute of your presentation

Write in point form, not complete sentences

Include 4-5 points per slide

Avoid wordiness: use key words and phrases only

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 5/55

Slide Structure - Good

Use 1-2 slides per minute of your presentation

Write in point form, not complete sentences

Include 4-5 points per slide

Avoid wordiness: use key words and phrases only

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 5/55

Slide Structure - Bad

Complex fluids are made up of atoms and molecules at the

very smallest scales, similar to simple fluids. However, in
complex fluids, these atoms and molecules are organized to
form larger structures, which in turn make up the bulk fluid.
The observed behaviour of these materials cannot be
explained from the chemical constituents alone, without
taking into account these intermediate scales of organization.

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 6/55

How much time you took to read this comic?

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 7/55

Slide Structure - Good

Show one point at a time

Will help audience concentrate on what you are saying

Will prevent audience from reading ahead

Will help you keep your presentation focused

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 8/55

Slide Structure - Good

Show one point at a time

Will help audience concentrate on what you are saying

Will prevent audience from reading ahead

Will help you keep your presentation focused

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 8/55

Slide Structure - Good

Show one point at a time

Will help audience concentrate on what you are saying

Will prevent audience from reading ahead

Will help you keep your presentation focused

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 8/55

Slide Structure - Good

Show one point at a time

Will help audience concentrate on what you are saying

Will prevent audience from reading ahead

Will help you keep your presentation focused

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 8/55

Slide Structure - Bad

Do not use distracting animation

Do not go overboard with the animation

Be consistent with the animation that you use

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 9/55

Slide Structure - Bad

Do not use distracting animation

Do not go overboard with the animation

Be consistent with the animation that you use

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 9/55

Slide Structure - Bad

Do not use distracting animation

Do not go overboard with the animation

Be consistent with the animation that you use

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 9/55

 Outline and Slide Structure

Fonts

Color and Background

Spelling and Grammar

Graphs

Poster

Design of Slides

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 10/55

Roman and Sans Serif

http://www.rightattitudes.com/2008/10/06/effective-fonts-for-presentations/

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 11/55

Fonts - Good
Use at least an 18-point font

This is a Huge font

This is a Large font
This is a large font
This is a normal font
This is a small font
This is a footnote size font

Use different size fonts for main points and secondary points -
Beamer Vs. Powerpoint!!!

This font is 24-point, the main point font is 28-point, and the
title font is 36-point
J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 12/55
Fonts - Good
Use at least an 18-point font

This is a Huge font

This is a Large font
This is a large font
This is a normal font
This is a small font
This is a footnote size font

Use different size fonts for main points and secondary points -
Beamer Vs. Powerpoint!!!

This font is 24-point, the main point font is 28-point, and the
title font is 36-point
J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 12/55
Fonts - Good
Use at least an 18-point font

This is a Huge font

This is a Large font
This is a large font
This is a normal font
This is a small font
This is a footnote size font

Use different size fonts for main points and secondary points -
Beamer Vs. Powerpoint!!!

This font is 24-point, the main point font is 28-point, and the
title font is 36-point
J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 12/55
Fonts - Good
Use at least an 18-point font

This is a Huge font

This is a Large font
This is a large font
This is a normal font
This is a small font
This is a footnote size font

Use different size fonts for main points and secondary points -
Beamer Vs. Powerpoint!!!

This font is 24-point, the main point font is 28-point, and the
title font is 36-point
J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 12/55
Fonts - Good
Use at least an 18-point font

This is a Huge font

This is a Large font
This is a large font
This is a normal font
This is a small font
This is a footnote size font

Use different size fonts for main points and secondary points -
Beamer Vs. Powerpoint!!!

This font is 24-point, the main point font is 28-point, and the
title font is 36-point
J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 12/55
Fonts - Good
Use at least an 18-point font

This is a Huge font

This is a Large font
This is a large font
This is a normal font
This is a small font
This is a footnote size font

Use different size fonts for main points and secondary points -
Beamer Vs. Powerpoint!!!

This font is 24-point, the main point font is 28-point, and the
title font is 36-point
J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 12/55
Fonts - Good
Use at least an 18-point font

This is a Huge font

This is a Large font
This is a large font
This is a normal font
This is a small font
This is a footnote size font

Use different size fonts for main points and secondary points -
Beamer Vs. Powerpoint!!!

This font is 24-point, the main point font is 28-point, and the
title font is 36-point
J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 12/55
Fonts - Good
Use at least an 18-point font

This is a Huge font

This is a Large font
This is a large font
This is a normal font
This is a small font
This is a footnote size font

Use different size fonts for main points and secondary points -
Beamer Vs. Powerpoint!!!

This font is 24-point, the main point font is 28-point, and the
title font is 36-point
J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 12/55
Fonts - Good
Use at least an 18-point font

This is a Huge font

This is a Large font
This is a large font
This is a normal font
This is a small font
This is a footnote size font

Use different size fonts for main points and secondary points -
Beamer Vs. Powerpoint!!!

This font is 24-point, the main point font is 28-point, and the
title font is 36-point
J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 12/55
Fonts - Bad

If you use a small font, your audience wont be able to read what you have written

CAPITALIZE ONLY WHEN NECESSARY. IT IS DIFFICULT

TO READ

YOU ARE SHOUTING AT PEOPLE AND NOT MAKING A

PRESENTATION
J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 13/55
Fonts - Bad

If you use a small font, your audience wont be able to read what you have written

CAPITALIZE ONLY WHEN NECESSARY. IT IS DIFFICULT

TO READ

YOU ARE SHOUTING AT PEOPLE AND NOT MAKING A

PRESENTATION
J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 13/55
Fonts - Bad

If you use a small font, your audience wont be able to read what you have written

CAPITALIZE ONLY WHEN NECESSARY. IT IS DIFFICULT

TO READ

YOU ARE SHOUTING AT PEOPLE AND NOT MAKING A

PRESENTATION
J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 13/55
 Outline and Slide Structure

Fonts

Color and Background

Spelling and Grammar

Graphs

Poster

Design of Slides

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 14/55

Do you want your slides in Magenta and Pink?

What color is this?What color is this?What color is this?What

color is this?What color is this?
What color is this?What color is this?What color is this?What
color is this?What color is this?

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 15/55

Do you want your slides in Black and White?

Use Black color on white background

Use Blue color on white background

Use colour to reinforce the logic of your structure

Use colour to emphasize a point

Using a font colour that does not contrast with the

background colour is hard to read

Using a font colour that does not contrast with the

background colour is hard to read

Using a font colour that does not contrast with the

background colour is hard to read

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 16/55

Do you want your slides in Black and White?

Use Black color on white background

Use Blue color on white background

Use colour to reinforce the logic of your structure

Use colour to emphasize a point

Using a font colour that does not contrast with the

background colour is hard to read

Using a font colour that does not contrast with the

background colour is hard to read

Using a font colour that does not contrast with the

background colour is hard to read

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 16/55

Do you want your slides in Black and White?

Use Black color on white background

Use Blue color on white background

Use colour to reinforce the logic of your structure

Use colour to emphasize a point

Using a font colour that does not contrast with the

background colour is hard to read

Using a font colour that does not contrast with the

background colour is hard to read

Using a font colour that does not contrast with the

background colour is hard to read

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 16/55

Do you want your slides in Black and White?

Use Black color on white background

Use Blue color on white background

Use colour to reinforce the logic of your structure

Use colour to emphasize a point

Using a font colour that does not contrast with the

background colour is hard to read

Using a font colour that does not contrast with the

background colour is hard to read

Using a font colour that does not contrast with the

background colour is hard to read

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 16/55

Do you want your slides in Black and White?

Use Black color on white background

Use Blue color on white background

Use colour to reinforce the logic of your structure

Use colour to emphasize a point

Using a font colour that does not contrast with the

background colour is hard to read

Using a font colour that does not contrast with the

background colour is hard to read

Using a font colour that does not contrast with the

background colour is hard to read

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 16/55

Do you want your slides in Black and White?

Use Black color on white background

Use Blue color on white background

Use colour to reinforce the logic of your structure

Use colour to emphasize a point

Using a font colour that does not contrast with the

background colour is hard to read

Using a font colour that does not contrast with the

background colour is hard to read

Using a font colour that does not contrast with the

background colour is hard to read

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 16/55

Do you want your slides in Black and White?

Use Black color on white background

Use Blue color on white background

Use colour to reinforce the logic of your structure

Use colour to emphasize a point

Using a font colour that does not contrast with the

background colour is hard to read

Using a font colour that does not contrast with the

background colour is hard to read

Using a font colour that does not contrast with the

background colour is hard to read

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 16/55

Are you trying to impress your audience with different
colour?

Using colour for decoration is distracting and annoying

Using a different colour for each point is unnecessary

Using a different colour for each point is unnecessary

Using a different colour for each point is unnecessary

Do not try to be creative when using colours.

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 17/55

Are you trying to impress your audience with different
colour?

Using colour for decoration is distracting and annoying

Using a different colour for each point is unnecessary

Using a different colour for each point is unnecessary

Using a different colour for each point is unnecessary

Do not try to be creative when using colours.

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 17/55

Are you trying to impress your audience with different
colour?

Using colour for decoration is distracting and annoying

Using a different colour for each point is unnecessary

Using a different colour for each point is unnecessary

Using a different colour for each point is unnecessary

Do not try to be creative when using colours.

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 17/55

Are you trying to impress your audience with different
colour?

Using colour for decoration is distracting and annoying

Using a different colour for each point is unnecessary

Using a different colour for each point is unnecessary

Using a different colour for each point is unnecessary

Do not try to be creative when using colours.

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 17/55

Are you trying to impress your audience with different
colour?

Using colour for decoration is distracting and annoying

Using a different colour for each point is unnecessary

Using a different colour for each point is unnecessary

Using a different colour for each point is unnecessary

Do not try to be creative when using colours.

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 17/55

Background

Use backgrounds such as this one

Use backgrounds which are light

Use the same background consistently throughout your

presentation

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 18/55

Background

Use backgrounds such as this one

Use backgrounds which are light

Use the same background consistently throughout your

presentation

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 18/55

Background

Use backgrounds such as this one

Use backgrounds which are light

Use the same background consistently throughout your

presentation

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 18/55

Do you want this background?

The background takes the center-stage

See the bounding box of IITM logo which is visible

What text color would you use here?

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 19/55

Do you want this background?

The background takes the center-stage

See the bounding box of IITM logo which is visible

What text color would you use here?

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 19/55

Do you want this background?

The background takes the center-stage

See the bounding box of IITM logo which is visible

What text color would you use here?

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 19/55

 Outline and Slide Structure

Fonts

Color and Background

Spelling and Grammar

Graphs

Poster

Design of Slides

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 20/55

 “I don’t see any use in having a uniform and arbitrary
way of spelling words. We might as well make all clothes
alike and cook all dishes alike. Sameness is tiresome;
variety is pleasing.”

Mark Twain

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 21/55

Spell and Grammar Check!!!

Proof your slides

speling mistakes

the use of of repeated words

grammatical errors you might have make

Please have someone else check your presentation for English!

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 22/55

Spell and Grammar Check!!!

Proof your slides

speling mistakes

the use of of repeated words

grammatical errors you might have make

Please have someone else check your presentation for English!

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 22/55

Spell and Grammar Check!!!

Proof your slides

speling mistakes

the use of of repeated words

grammatical errors you might have make

Please have someone else check your presentation for English!

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 22/55

Spell and Grammar Check!!!

Proof your slides

speling mistakes

the use of of repeated words

grammatical errors you might have make

Please have someone else check your presentation for English!

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 22/55

Spell and Grammar Check!!!

Proof your slides

speling mistakes

the use of of repeated words

grammatical errors you might have make

Please have someone else check your presentation for English!

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 22/55

Misc.: Last minute pitfalls

Version incompatibility between your computer and the

presentation computer

Files refuse to open

Make PDF files and learn how to embed animation in PDF

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 23/55

Misc.: Last minute pitfalls

Version incompatibility between your computer and the

presentation computer

Files refuse to open

Make PDF files and learn how to embed animation in PDF

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 23/55

Misc.: Last minute pitfalls

Version incompatibility between your computer and the

presentation computer

Files refuse to open

Make PDF files and learn how to embed animation in PDF

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 23/55

Misc.: How are you rated as a speaker? (IEEE Survey)

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 24/55

Misc.: How are you rated as a speaker? (IEEE Survey)

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 24/55

Misc.: How are you rated as a speaker? (IEEE Survey)

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 24/55

 Outline and Slide Structure

Fonts

Color and Background

Spelling and Grammar

Graphs

Poster

Design of Slides

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 25/55

Graphs - Paper vs. Presentation

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 26/55

Time-Series - Radio Emissions - Voyager 2 of Jupiter

Gurnett et al., Science, 1980

Dual label for horizontal axis (date and distance)

Multiple time-series enforces comparisons within and between
3.6 million data points used for plotting
Use time series for big data series with real variability
J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 27/55
Time-Series - Radio Emissions - Voyager 2 of Jupiter

Gurnett et al., Science, 1980

Dual label for horizontal axis (date and distance)

Multiple time-series enforces comparisons within and between
3.6 million data points used for plotting
Use time series for big data series with real variability
J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 27/55
Time-Series - Radio Emissions - Voyager 2 of Jupiter

Gurnett et al., Science, 1980

Dual label for horizontal axis (date and distance)

Multiple time-series enforces comparisons within and between
3.6 million data points used for plotting
Use time series for big data series with real variability
J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 27/55
Time-Series - Radio Emissions - Voyager 2 of Jupiter

Gurnett et al., Science, 1980

Dual label for horizontal axis (date and distance)

Multiple time-series enforces comparisons within and between
3.6 million data points used for plotting
Use time series for big data series with real variability
J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 27/55
Chart Junk

Tufte, 2001

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 28/55

Chart Junk - MS Excel’s contribution

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides Tufte, 2001 29/55

Proportion and Scale

Graphics should tend toward the horizontal, greater in length

than height. Why?

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 30/55

Proportion and Scale

Our eye is naturally practiced in detecting deviations from the

horizon.

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 31/55

Proportion and Scale

Ease of labeling and reading

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 32/55

Proportion and Scale
Emphasis on causal influence:

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 33/55

Scaling Rules

1 Fifth century B.C. aesthetic proportion suggests 1 vertical to

1.618 horizontal

2 Birkhoff: 1.414, 1.732, 2

3 Playfair: 1.4 to 1.8

4 Can the nature of the data suggest the shape of the graph?

5 If possible, move towards horizontal graphics about 50 percent

wider than tall

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 34/55

Scaling Rules

1 Fifth century B.C. aesthetic proportion suggests 1 vertical to

1.618 horizontal

2 Birkhoff: 1.414, 1.732, 2

3 Playfair: 1.4 to 1.8

4 Can the nature of the data suggest the shape of the graph?

5 If possible, move towards horizontal graphics about 50 percent

wider than tall

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 34/55

Scaling Rules

1 Fifth century B.C. aesthetic proportion suggests 1 vertical to

1.618 horizontal

2 Birkhoff: 1.414, 1.732, 2

3 Playfair: 1.4 to 1.8

4 Can the nature of the data suggest the shape of the graph?

5 If possible, move towards horizontal graphics about 50 percent

wider than tall

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 34/55

Scaling Rules

1 Fifth century B.C. aesthetic proportion suggests 1 vertical to

1.618 horizontal

2 Birkhoff: 1.414, 1.732, 2

3 Playfair: 1.4 to 1.8

4 Can the nature of the data suggest the shape of the graph?

5 If possible, move towards horizontal graphics about 50 percent

wider than tall

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 34/55

Scaling Rules

1 Fifth century B.C. aesthetic proportion suggests 1 vertical to

1.618 horizontal

2 Birkhoff: 1.414, 1.732, 2

3 Playfair: 1.4 to 1.8

4 Can the nature of the data suggest the shape of the graph?

5 If possible, move towards horizontal graphics about 50 percent

wider than tall

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 34/55

Graphical Abstract - Imaging Journal

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 35/55

Graphical Abstract - Chemistry Journal

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 36/55

Graphical Abstract - Civil Engineering Journal

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 37/55

Graphics Requirement - ASCE

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 38/55

 Outline and Slide Structure

Fonts

Color and Background

Spelling and Grammar

Graphs

Poster

Design of Slides

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 39/55

Poster Presentation - Few Hard Truths

Poster acceptance means nothing

You are a sales person waiting for people to come to you!!!

Sell your work in 10 seconds

A catchy title will decide whether people will come to you or

ignore you!!!

A poster should resemble a well written abstract

Put your photo in the poster - it reflects your personality

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 40/55

Poster Presentation - Few Hard Truths

Poster acceptance means nothing

You are a sales person waiting for people to come to you!!!

Sell your work in 10 seconds

A catchy title will decide whether people will come to you or

ignore you!!!

A poster should resemble a well written abstract

Put your photo in the poster - it reflects your personality

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 40/55

Poster Presentation - Few Hard Truths

Poster acceptance means nothing

You are a sales person waiting for people to come to you!!!

Sell your work in 10 seconds

A catchy title will decide whether people will come to you or

ignore you!!!

A poster should resemble a well written abstract

Put your photo in the poster - it reflects your personality

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 40/55

Poster Presentation - Few Hard Truths

Poster acceptance means nothing

You are a sales person waiting for people to come to you!!!

Sell your work in 10 seconds

A catchy title will decide whether people will come to you or

ignore you!!!

A poster should resemble a well written abstract

Put your photo in the poster - it reflects your personality

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 40/55

Poster Presentation - Few Hard Truths

Poster acceptance means nothing

You are a sales person waiting for people to come to you!!!

Sell your work in 10 seconds

A catchy title will decide whether people will come to you or

ignore you!!!

A poster should resemble a well written abstract

Put your photo in the poster - it reflects your personality

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 40/55

Poster Presentation - Few Hard Truths

Poster acceptance means nothing

You are a sales person waiting for people to come to you!!!

Sell your work in 10 seconds

A catchy title will decide whether people will come to you or

ignore you!!!

A poster should resemble a well written abstract

Put your photo in the poster - it reflects your personality

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 40/55

How to make a poor poster presentation?

Content is important, presentation is not

Use dark colors, never use white or pastels

People should stand near 1 m and read for 1 hour to

understand your work

Use a lengthy, hi-fi sounding title - Your work is not for

ordinary folks!!!

Write an abstract for a poster

Logical flow in several horizontal rows. People should travel

back and forth to read your poster

Do all the above and you will be disturbed by no one!!!

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 41/55

How to make a poor poster presentation?

Content is important, presentation is not

Use dark colors, never use white or pastels

People should stand near 1 m and read for 1 hour to

understand your work

Use a lengthy, hi-fi sounding title - Your work is not for

ordinary folks!!!

Write an abstract for a poster

Logical flow in several horizontal rows. People should travel

back and forth to read your poster

Do all the above and you will be disturbed by no one!!!

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 41/55

How to make a poor poster presentation?

Content is important, presentation is not

Use dark colors, never use white or pastels

People should stand near 1 m and read for 1 hour to

understand your work

Use a lengthy, hi-fi sounding title - Your work is not for

ordinary folks!!!

Write an abstract for a poster

Logical flow in several horizontal rows. People should travel

back and forth to read your poster

Do all the above and you will be disturbed by no one!!!

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 41/55

How to make a poor poster presentation?

Content is important, presentation is not

Use dark colors, never use white or pastels

People should stand near 1 m and read for 1 hour to

understand your work

Use a lengthy, hi-fi sounding title - Your work is not for

ordinary folks!!!

Write an abstract for a poster

Logical flow in several horizontal rows. People should travel

back and forth to read your poster

Do all the above and you will be disturbed by no one!!!

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 41/55

How to make a poor poster presentation?

Content is important, presentation is not

Use dark colors, never use white or pastels

People should stand near 1 m and read for 1 hour to

understand your work

Use a lengthy, hi-fi sounding title - Your work is not for

ordinary folks!!!

Write an abstract for a poster

Logical flow in several horizontal rows. People should travel

back and forth to read your poster

Do all the above and you will be disturbed by no one!!!

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 41/55

How to make a poor poster presentation?

Content is important, presentation is not

Use dark colors, never use white or pastels

People should stand near 1 m and read for 1 hour to

understand your work

Use a lengthy, hi-fi sounding title - Your work is not for

ordinary folks!!!

Write an abstract for a poster

Logical flow in several horizontal rows. People should travel

back and forth to read your poster

Do all the above and you will be disturbed by no one!!!

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 41/55

How to make a poor poster presentation?

Content is important, presentation is not

Use dark colors, never use white or pastels

People should stand near 1 m and read for 1 hour to

understand your work

Use a lengthy, hi-fi sounding title - Your work is not for

ordinary folks!!!

Write an abstract for a poster

Logical flow in several horizontal rows. People should travel

back and forth to read your poster

Do all the above and you will be disturbed by no one!!!

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 41/55

Planning for a poster presentation
Planning: Audience, size of poster, budget

Content: What to present? How many graphs? A mock

poster

Layout: Reader gravity (top to bottom; left to right), visual

cues

Attractive Title: Why says asphalt is a linear material?

Graphics: Understand how graphics are rendered in a

software

Text: Minimize text, bigger size fonts: Should be readable at

1 m distance

Color: Light color background and dark color letters, not

more than 2 to 3 color schemes
J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 42/55
Planning for a poster presentation
Planning: Audience, size of poster, budget

Content: What to present? How many graphs? A mock

poster

Layout: Reader gravity (top to bottom; left to right), visual

cues

Attractive Title: Why says asphalt is a linear material?

Graphics: Understand how graphics are rendered in a

software

Text: Minimize text, bigger size fonts: Should be readable at

1 m distance

Color: Light color background and dark color letters, not

more than 2 to 3 color schemes
J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 42/55
Planning for a poster presentation
Planning: Audience, size of poster, budget

Content: What to present? How many graphs? A mock

poster

Layout: Reader gravity (top to bottom; left to right), visual

cues

Attractive Title: Why says asphalt is a linear material?

Graphics: Understand how graphics are rendered in a

software

Text: Minimize text, bigger size fonts: Should be readable at

1 m distance

Color: Light color background and dark color letters, not

more than 2 to 3 color schemes
J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 42/55
Planning for a poster presentation
Planning: Audience, size of poster, budget

Content: What to present? How many graphs? A mock

poster

Layout: Reader gravity (top to bottom; left to right), visual

cues

Attractive Title: Why says asphalt is a linear material?

Graphics: Understand how graphics are rendered in a

software

Text: Minimize text, bigger size fonts: Should be readable at

1 m distance

Color: Light color background and dark color letters, not

more than 2 to 3 color schemes
J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 42/55
Planning for a poster presentation
Planning: Audience, size of poster, budget

Content: What to present? How many graphs? A mock

poster

Layout: Reader gravity (top to bottom; left to right), visual

cues

Attractive Title: Why says asphalt is a linear material?

Graphics: Understand how graphics are rendered in a

software

Text: Minimize text, bigger size fonts: Should be readable at

1 m distance

Color: Light color background and dark color letters, not

more than 2 to 3 color schemes
J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 42/55
Planning for a poster presentation
Planning: Audience, size of poster, budget

Content: What to present? How many graphs? A mock

poster

Layout: Reader gravity (top to bottom; left to right), visual

cues

Attractive Title: Why says asphalt is a linear material?

Graphics: Understand how graphics are rendered in a

software

Text: Minimize text, bigger size fonts: Should be readable at

1 m distance

Color: Light color background and dark color letters, not

more than 2 to 3 color schemes
J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 42/55
Planning for a poster presentation
Planning: Audience, size of poster, budget

Content: What to present? How many graphs? A mock

poster

Layout: Reader gravity (top to bottom; left to right), visual

cues

Attractive Title: Why says asphalt is a linear material?

Graphics: Understand how graphics are rendered in a

software

Text: Minimize text, bigger size fonts: Should be readable at

1 m distance

Color: Light color background and dark color letters, not

more than 2 to 3 color schemes
J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 42/55
 Outline and Slide Structure

Fonts

Color and Background

Spelling and Grammar

Graphs

Poster

Design of Slides

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 43/55

The Art and Craft of Slide Design

Class slides ≡ Conference slides?

Did Albert Einstein, Linus Pauling, Niels Bohr . . . used PPT?
”Last week I caught myself planning out (in my head) the
slides I would need to explain to my wife why we couldn’t
afford a vacation this year.” - An avid PPT user!!!

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 44/55

The Art and Craft of Slide Design

Class slides ≡ Conference slides?

Did Albert Einstein, Linus Pauling, Niels Bohr . . . used PPT?
”Last week I caught myself planning out (in my head) the
slides I would need to explain to my wife why we couldn’t
afford a vacation this year.” - An avid PPT user!!!

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 44/55

The Art and Craft of Slide Design

Class slides ≡ Conference slides?

Did Albert Einstein, Linus Pauling, Niels Bohr . . . used PPT?
”Last week I caught myself planning out (in my head) the
slides I would need to explain to my wife why we couldn’t
afford a vacation this year.” - An avid PPT user!!!

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 44/55

The Art and Craft of Slide Design

Error 1: Wrong speech

Error 2: Memorize the speech
Error 3: Loose the audience
Error 4: Project a slide no one can read and remember
Error 5: Ignore Murphy’s law
Error 6: Not preparing enough
Error 7: Losing composure!!!

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 45/55

The Art and Craft of Slide Design

Error 1: Wrong speech

Error 2: Memorize the speech
Error 3: Loose the audience
Error 4: Project a slide no one can read and remember
Error 5: Ignore Murphy’s law
Error 6: Not preparing enough
Error 7: Losing composure!!!

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 45/55

The Art and Craft of Slide Design

Error 1: Wrong speech

Error 2: Memorize the speech
Error 3: Loose the audience
Error 4: Project a slide no one can read and remember
Error 5: Ignore Murphy’s law
Error 6: Not preparing enough
Error 7: Losing composure!!!

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 45/55

The Art and Craft of Slide Design

Error 1: Wrong speech

Error 2: Memorize the speech
Error 3: Loose the audience
Error 4: Project a slide no one can read and remember
Error 5: Ignore Murphy’s law
Error 6: Not preparing enough
Error 7: Losing composure!!!

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 45/55

The Art and Craft of Slide Design

Error 1: Wrong speech

Error 2: Memorize the speech
Error 3: Loose the audience
Error 4: Project a slide no one can read and remember
Error 5: Ignore Murphy’s law
Error 6: Not preparing enough
Error 7: Losing composure!!!

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 45/55

The Art and Craft of Slide Design

Error 1: Wrong speech

Error 2: Memorize the speech
Error 3: Loose the audience
Error 4: Project a slide no one can read and remember
Error 5: Ignore Murphy’s law
Error 6: Not preparing enough
Error 7: Losing composure!!!

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 45/55

The Art and Craft of Slide Design

Error 1: Wrong speech

Error 2: Memorize the speech
Error 3: Loose the audience
Error 4: Project a slide no one can read and remember
Error 5: Ignore Murphy’s law
Error 6: Not preparing enough
Error 7: Losing composure!!!

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 45/55

Assertion - Evidence Structure

Powerpoint’s default structure of a topic–phrase headline

supported by a bullet list of subtopics - Faulty

Assertion–Evidence structure

Sentence headline states the main message of the slide

Message assertion is supported not by a bullet list, but by

visual evidence: photos, drawings, diagrams, graphs, films, or
equations

Slides are, an appropriate visual aid for the talk

Slides are not to provide talking points for the speaker!!!

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 46/55

Assertion - Evidence Structure

Powerpoint’s default structure of a topic–phrase headline

supported by a bullet list of subtopics - Faulty

Assertion–Evidence structure

Sentence headline states the main message of the slide

Message assertion is supported not by a bullet list, but by

visual evidence: photos, drawings, diagrams, graphs, films, or
equations

Slides are, an appropriate visual aid for the talk

Slides are not to provide talking points for the speaker!!!

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 46/55

Assertion - Evidence Structure

Powerpoint’s default structure of a topic–phrase headline

supported by a bullet list of subtopics - Faulty

Assertion–Evidence structure

Sentence headline states the main message of the slide

Message assertion is supported not by a bullet list, but by

visual evidence: photos, drawings, diagrams, graphs, films, or
equations

Slides are, an appropriate visual aid for the talk

Slides are not to provide talking points for the speaker!!!

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 46/55

Assertion - Evidence Structure

Powerpoint’s default structure of a topic–phrase headline

supported by a bullet list of subtopics - Faulty

Assertion–Evidence structure

Sentence headline states the main message of the slide

Message assertion is supported not by a bullet list, but by

visual evidence: photos, drawings, diagrams, graphs, films, or
equations

Slides are, an appropriate visual aid for the talk

Slides are not to provide talking points for the speaker!!!

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 46/55

Assertion - Evidence Structure

Powerpoint’s default structure of a topic–phrase headline

supported by a bullet list of subtopics - Faulty

Assertion–Evidence structure

Sentence headline states the main message of the slide

Message assertion is supported not by a bullet list, but by

visual evidence: photos, drawings, diagrams, graphs, films, or
equations

Slides are, an appropriate visual aid for the talk

Slides are not to provide talking points for the speaker!!!

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 46/55

Assertion - Evidence Structure

Powerpoint’s default structure of a topic–phrase headline

supported by a bullet list of subtopics - Faulty

Assertion–Evidence structure

Sentence headline states the main message of the slide

Message assertion is supported not by a bullet list, but by

visual evidence: photos, drawings, diagrams, graphs, films, or
equations

Slides are, an appropriate visual aid for the talk

Slides are not to provide talking points for the speaker!!!

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 46/55

A Sample Powerpoint Default Design

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 47/55

A different design showing the connection

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 48/55

A Sample A-E Slide

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 49/55

Another Sample A-E Slide

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 50/55

Another Sample A-E Slide

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 51/55

Conclusions

Use an effective and strong closing

Summarize the main points of your presentation

Suggest future avenues of research

Invite your audience to ask questions

Avoid ending a presentation abruptly

Do not put the silly graphic of a man scratching his head!!!

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 52/55

Conclusions

Use an effective and strong closing

Summarize the main points of your presentation

Suggest future avenues of research

Invite your audience to ask questions

Avoid ending a presentation abruptly

Do not put the silly graphic of a man scratching his head!!!

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 52/55

Conclusions

Use an effective and strong closing

Summarize the main points of your presentation

Suggest future avenues of research

Invite your audience to ask questions

Avoid ending a presentation abruptly

Do not put the silly graphic of a man scratching his head!!!

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 52/55

Conclusions

Use an effective and strong closing

Summarize the main points of your presentation

Suggest future avenues of research

Invite your audience to ask questions

Avoid ending a presentation abruptly

Do not put the silly graphic of a man scratching his head!!!

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 52/55

Conclusions

Use an effective and strong closing

Summarize the main points of your presentation

Suggest future avenues of research

Invite your audience to ask questions

Avoid ending a presentation abruptly

Do not put the silly graphic of a man scratching his head!!!

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 52/55

Conclusions

Use an effective and strong closing

Summarize the main points of your presentation

Suggest future avenues of research

Invite your audience to ask questions

Avoid ending a presentation abruptly

Do not put the silly graphic of a man scratching his head!!!

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 52/55

Presentation Software

The most obvious one!!!

The software used for making these slides

Flash

Impress Open office

Keynote Apple

Photoshop . . .

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 53/55

Presentation Software

The most obvious one!!!

The software used for making these slides

Flash

Impress Open office

Keynote Apple

Photoshop . . .

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 53/55

Presentation Software

The most obvious one!!!

The software used for making these slides

Flash

Impress Open office

Keynote Apple

Photoshop . . .

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 53/55

Presentation Software

The most obvious one!!!

The software used for making these slides

Flash

Impress Open office

Keynote Apple

Photoshop . . .

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 53/55

Presentation Software

The most obvious one!!!

The software used for making these slides

Flash

Impress Open office

Keynote Apple

Photoshop . . .

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 53/55

Presentation Software

The most obvious one!!!

The software used for making these slides

Flash

Impress Open office

Keynote Apple

Photoshop . . .

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 53/55

Assignment

1 Please go back and look at your old slides and redo it after
this class
2 Identify a good and poor graph in the top most journal in
your field
3 Draw a sample graph and see whether one can understand it
without any additional words
4 Plot your data using default options in your graphing software
and see whether it makes sense

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 54/55

Assignment

1 Please go back and look at your old slides and redo it after
this class
2 Identify a good and poor graph in the top most journal in
your field
3 Draw a sample graph and see whether one can understand it
without any additional words
4 Plot your data using default options in your graphing software
and see whether it makes sense

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 54/55

Assignment

1 Please go back and look at your old slides and redo it after
this class
2 Identify a good and poor graph in the top most journal in
your field
3 Draw a sample graph and see whether one can understand it
without any additional words
4 Plot your data using default options in your graphing software
and see whether it makes sense

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 54/55

Assignment

1 Please go back and look at your old slides and redo it after
this class
2 Identify a good and poor graph in the top most journal in
your field
3 Draw a sample graph and see whether one can understand it
without any additional words
4 Plot your data using default options in your graphing software
and see whether it makes sense

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 54/55

Thank you for your patience. All the best!!!

J. Murali Krishnan, IIT Madras Good Slides 55/55