This document provides guidelines for effectively planning displays. It outlines 3 key steps: 1) Know your audience - understand who they are and how to engage them. 2) Know your purpose - identify the central idea and message. 3) Plan to attract and involve your audience - use visuals, demonstrations, and hands-on elements to arouse interest. Additional tips include using design principles like balance and emphasis, clear signage and lettering, safely mounting visuals, and being knowledgeable about the topic. The overall goal is to effectively communicate your message and engage your target audience.

1. Guide
to
Effective Displays

2. Three basic steps to planning
a successful display:
Before you begin, you must..
3. Know your target audience
5. Know the purpose of your display
7. Plan to attract/involve your
audience

3. 1. Know your audience:
Ask yourself:
 Who are the people who will see our
display?
 How can we attract and hold their
attention?
 Will our display stimulate “mental”
participation?

4. 2. Know your purpose:
Yo u m u s t d is p la y y o u r
g r o u p ’ s c e n t r a l id e a
 Everything else is optional…the MAIN central
idea, concepts, lines of inquiry etc.
 What is the message you want to share with
your audience?

5. 3. Arouse interest
 Make your display “hands-on” if appropriate
 Use visuals, perform demonstrations
 Quiz your audience to find out their prior
knowledge about your area of focus

6. How do you get
their attention?
Cater to your audience
For adults – put content relevant
to them at their eye level
(facts, graphs, statistics etc.)
Put visuals lower for younger
students to grab their
attention(comics, interesting
photos)

7. Arouse interest

8. Encourage all types of participation
“The impact of your
display will be strengthened
if your audience feels
part of it.”

9. Create 3D displays if relevant

10. Make a statement

11. Stimulate thought with visuals

12. Use images to tell a story
(life before the Industrial Revolution?)

13. Which poster explains
Jack’s dog the best?
Jack’s Dog
Jack has a dog.
His dog’s name is
Petey.
Petey is a pug.

14. Avoid images for decoration &
using a lot of text

15. This poster is more to the point

16. Use interesting display materials
to make a point

17. Use authentic display items

18. Evoke a feeling or mood with colour

19. T H I N K : The Principles of
Design
Balance
Unity
Rhythm/Repetition
Emphasis
Contrast

20. T h i n k BALANCE

21. T h in k
UNITY

22. T h i n k REPETITION

23. T h i n k EMPHASIS

24. T h i n k CONTRAST

25. Create flow…
• Help the audience know the direction of your display
• What do you want them to see first?
• Where do they go from there?

26. Use arrows to direct your audience

27. Lettering
 Use upper case letters for short titles
 Lower case for longer texts
 Choose one main font and one for headings
 Headings must be read from 8’ away
 Text from 3’ away
 Just key points!

28. NO!

29. NO notes on display

30. Can you read this?
Can you read this?
Can you read this?
Can you read this?
Can you read this?
Can you read this?

31. Can you read this?
Can you read this?
Can you read this?
Can you read this?
Can you read this?
Can you read this?

32. Can you read this?
Can you read this?
Can you read this?
Can you read this?
Can you read this?
Can you read this?

33. Font style must match the display

34. Headings must be seen over a crowd
34

35. Mounting your visuals
 Photos must be clear and not distorted
 Use a paper cutter and keep work clean
 Borders must be the same width all around

36. Display visuals at different levels and
NOT on angles!

37. Journals displayed on stands

38. Computer use..
 Is it necessary? Is it engaging?
 Keep videos to 3 minutes max.
 Show original work only!

39. Think Safety
 Special display items must be secure
 Do not block other students’ booths
 Keep walkways clear
 Let your teacher know by this Wednesday if
you have special requirements e.g. outlets

40. Display considerations
 Display must fit the space
 Make a list of what you need and start
collecting items now
 Make a sketch of your display booth in
your journals and have a detailed plan
ready for set up
 Refer to the Presentation of Findings
rubric

41. BOOTH Dimensions
?
?
?
HEIGHT = ?

42. Booth on the 8th floor for
planning your display

43. LLAC Lobby

44. Setting up time…. be ready!

45. Have everything ready by
1 June!
 Remember – a great display is nothing
without you being knowledgeable about your
focus area
 No reading from notes – you must know ALL
your group’s information so that you are the
EXPERT!

46. G O O D L U C K !!!
46