Visual slides should use pictures and words together to reinforce information according to the picture superiority effect. Pictures are remembered better than words, especially for casual exposure or limited time. Visual imagery helps learning and increases retention compared to text. Recognition of information doubles when presented visually versus text alone. Effective visual slides use one idea per slide, preserve white space, and can convey their message within three seconds.

1. Visual Slide Design
for Engaging, Memorable
Presentations
Michele Van Hoeck
Margot Hanson
Cal Maritime Library

3. According to the picture superiority effect, pictures are
remembered better than words—especially for casual
exposure to information for limited time.
Use pictures and words together so they reinforce the
same information for optimal effect.
See this effect used widely in marketing
communications, such as posters, billboards, brochures,
annual reports, etc.
Visual imagery is a powerful mnemonic tool that helps
learning and increases retention compared to, say,
witnessing someone read words off a screen.
Garr Reynolds, Presentation Zen Design

4. Picture Superiority Effect:
• Pictures remembered better than words in cases of:
• casual exposure
• limited amount of time
• Reinforce by using pictures and words together
• Used extensively in:
• posters
• billboards
• brochures
• annual reports
Visual imagery is a powerful mnemonic tool that helps
learning and increases retention.

5. Image from Presentation Zen Design by Garr Reynolds

6. Recognition Rates
Pictures Only
Text Only
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
from Brain Rules, John Medina

7. Visuals support learning
“Several studies show recognition doubles
for a picture compared with text.”
Dr. John Medina, Brain Rules

8. Recognition doubles
for a picture
compared with text.
Dr. John Medina
author, Brain Rules

9. Who is your audience?
From The National Archives (United Kingdom)

10. One idea per slide

11. Preserve“white space”

12. A slide's message
should be able to be
processed within
three seconds.

14. Insert: Shape
To create visual emphasis

16. Insert: SmartArt
To show relationships or process

17. Research Assignment
Topic
Research Question
Thesis Statement

18. Flight Plan
San
Francisco
Belize City
Athens
Glasgow
Rome

19. Article in The Economist says:
More
deforestation
More
organic
farming
More
global
warming

20. Insert: Picture
For emotional impact

23. Inspiration & Alternatives

24. Group Practice
Sample slide with bullets
We will select a couple of elements
to convert to visual format

25. Watchstanding
• All cadets “stand watch” on the TSGB or on campus
• Watches are scheduled in four-hour blocks from 4:30
p.m. until 7:30 a.m. during the week and 24 hours
per day on weekends
• Provides security and safety on campus and on the
ship
• Part of Leadership Development by providing cadets
with increasing levels of responsibility as they
progress through their education

26. All cadets stand watch
On TSGB
or
On Campus

27. Watchstanding Hours
8:3012:30
12:304:30
4:30-8:30

28. Increasing leadership responsibility
Juniors
Sophomores
Freshmen

29. Your Turn!
Open slides you brought with you...
Make them visual!

30. Bibliography
Nancy Duarte. Slide:ology
Sebastopol, CA: O'Reilly Media, 2008
Garr Reynolds. Presentation Zen
Berkeley, CA: New Riders, 2010