Simple sketches can effectively engage audiences and reinforce ideas. The author recalls three instances where their hand-drawn presentations won top honors. The first used a sketch of a soldier sneaking up to a wall, which generated so much interest that the client's phones rang continuously despite a printing error. The second used overhead projector sketches to unveil a branding plan creatively, eliciting applause and praise. The third involved quick sketches approved by their team to narrate an insurance practice presentation, which received applause from judges. In each case, simple sketches helped convey concepts compellingly.

1. Simple Sketches Engage The Audience Better
They reinforce your original thinking and help narrate your concept in the most compelling manner.
As a natural artist myself I can remember three specific instances when I have excited the audience with my hand drawn
presentations. All of them also won the top honors. The first one was when I created an advertisement campaign for a stock
broking firm in India (1992). They were looking to create great response to the company’s new services and confidentiality was
the key word. I used a world war common parlance, "walls have ears" idea and sketched up the visual of a private sneaking up to
the wall to hear something. The sketch was a combination of both charcoal and ink,
later treated photographically to a quarter tones for newspaper. The sad story was,
the newspaper messed up the print. However, the response to the ad was so
overwhelming that I had my client’s phone ringing through the day and night.
The second one was what I created in 1994 when I used to work for a Software
company (today it is a popular financial technology firm). I had moved from the
advertising industry to the corporate world to learn the importance of managing a
single brand ground up challenge. The presentation predominantly was done using the popular OHP sheets. Overnight, I created
my branding plans, status and new ideas with cartoons, caricatures, comedy and words. I used some drams to unveil the slide
because I knew no one else even thought of this approach (risk of course!). I had the audience shuffle, clap and offer abundant
appreciation for the strategy.
The third time I used this sketch approach was during my present stint (2012) with Virtusa Corporation. I was part of the
Insurance practice team. While I could see most of the groups were betting on the glorious Power Point way, I suggested to my
team that we should try a hand at sketches and a flip chart presentation with the SME to narrate the idea using these charts. All
agreed and I set forth in pulling up my memories of sketching (had lost touch for a few years and an accident had challenged my
free flowing ability). Motivation came from team; I showed some simple and quick sketches of cartoon characters and they
approved it. Then I realized I had just 20 minutes to wrap up the whole story.
With help from team on the story board, I had it delivered on time. Even before
the presentation commenced, the panel of judges asked who created these
sketches; team pointed to me. There was all round applause and honestly it
was quite a while since I heard a hall full of applause. And, we shared the top
hours with the Telecom team for Innovation and value.
Little doubt, simple sketches talk a million words. They reinforce your original thinking and help narrate your concept in the most
compelling manner.
I used a World War-I common
parlance, "walls have ears"
idea and sketched up the visual
of a private sneaking up to the
wall to hear something
Motivation came from team; I
showed some simple and quick
sketches of cartoon characters
and they approved it.