Here are some potential visual aids for the topics: - Company history: Timeline, photos of past products/offices - New product launch: Product photos, diagrams, mockups - Financial report: Charts, graphs, tables of numbers - Safety training: Photos of hazards, diagrams of procedures - IT system overview: Network diagrams, screenshots, flowcharts - Conference recap: Photos from events, lists of speakers/attendees - Marketing campaign: Brand logo, ads, packaging designs - Construction project: Site plans, architectural drawings, progress photos - Travel destination: Maps, landscape/landmark photos, visitor statistics

1. Using Visuals 2012

2. “A picture is worth 1000 words…?”
Too right…

3. The Definition of ‘Visual Aid’
- Noun
‘Any of various materials depending on the
sense of sight, as films, slides, photographs,
etc., used as aids in teaching.’
www.dictionary.com
• Remember, when you do a presentation, you
are a teacher too!

4. Examples of Visual Aids
Graphs / Charts
Plans / Designs
Props
Videos
Photos / Art

5. Benefits…and Problems
• Nothing is better than visuals to keep your
audience’s attention, especially Powerpoint.
• Visuals show your point clearly by appealing
to your audience’s eyes, as well as ears.
• However, you must be sure they are relevant
to your presentation.
• Also, it’s not a good idea to use too many
visuals at once. That can be very ‘noisy’ and
listeners will stop following you.

6. Visual Aids – the Do’s and Don’ts
Take a few minutes – try to come up with some
rules for using visuals, and suggest them to me.

7. Visual Aids – the Do’s and Don’ts
Testing has shown that using
visual aids without speaking
increases retention of
information by the audience to
35%.
Using both visual aids and oral
presentation increases
retention to 65%.
Therefore, preparing good
visuals and modeling your
speech to them will make your
presentation much better.

8. Visual Aids – the Do’s and Don’ts
• Remember, a visual aid does not always have to be a
Powerpoint slideshow - it can be a photo, OHP, etc.
• Try to have at least a rough idea of your presentation and
your outline before you start choosing visuals.
• Keep your visual aids simple to understand.
• Determine the difference between what you will say and
what the visual aids show. Do not read from your visuals.
• Do not crowd your pictures together – that’s too “noisy.”
• Do not ask your audience to read and listen at the same time.
• Give copies of your visual aids as handouts.
• Get feedback on the clarity of your visuals.
• And of course, practice. You cannot improvise visuals well.

9. Visual Aid Equipment
Flip Chart
Overhead
Transparency
(OHP)
Slide
Show
Video / DVD
Poster

10. Visual Aid Equipment – Pros and Cons
Please choose one of the visual mediums on the
last slide and list the pros and cons of using it.

11. CAUTION!
• If you can’t give a clear meaning without a visual,
then you need to find one.
• Never use a visual aid for a theory, or a point of
discussion. Use them only for facts.
• Test the equipment before you start – make sure it
doesn’t have any problems.
• Visual aids do not need to be prettier than
necessary – don’t waste time trying to make the
most beautiful presentation.
• Don’t panic if you see someone else using another
kind of visual – every presentation is unique.

12. TRY THIS:
• Mr Jim will give you a list of presentation topics. Brainstorm
the visual aids you would use for them.