PowerPoint & Visual Literacy

Society and Images From the caves of Lascaux To political propaganda Images are more than decoration Student & teacher graphics improve communication

3M case study Study asked participants to choose between two identical banks 79% chose bank with enhanced multimedia presentations “more professional & credible” “offered better services”

What is Visual Literacy The ability to: interpret, understand & appreciate visual messages better communication through better design concepts produce visual messages using computers & other technologies think visually to conceptualize solutions to problems Jerry Christopherson International Visual Literacy Association Conference, 1996

Typefaces & Design

Selecting the right Typeface “Typography gives visual form to language” Adobe user guide

Selecting the right Typeface “Typography gives visual form to language” Adobe user guide

Selecting the right Typeface Sometimes it’s not what you say, but how you say it.

Type Personalities Type should serve the text. Undue attention to itself makes the text difficult to read No good or bad Only appropriate & inappropriate uses of typefaces Think about your audience

PowerPoint Type Serif vs. Sans-serif Serif typefaces are traditionally easiest to read Sans-serif were developed for headlines Sans-serif may be easier to read on screen Avoid using Script fonts

Type Legibility The greater the x-height, the greater the legibility Most sans-serif fonts have a high x-height Use the typeface that best suits your presentation Use only 2-3 fonts

This creates a hierarchy of information Typeface Sizes Headlines: 32 - 48 pts Subheadlines: 28 - 32 pts Content: 18 - 28 pts This creates a hierarchy of information

Color Will increase willingness to read by up to 80% Will enhance learning & improve retention by more than 75% Will outsell black & white in advertising by 88%

Color Theory 101

Color Theory 101

Greatest contrast between any other color Complimentary Colors Greatest contrast between any other color

Complimentary Colors Red & Green are terrible combinations for background & type Blue & orange are bad combinations for background & type Purple & yellow are not as bad combinations for background & type

Color Schemes Analogous Triadic Monochromatic

Sample design Soccer Saturdays Create a fun & exciting PowerPoint design to promote youth soccer Soccer Saturdays Join the beautiful world of youth soccer April 10th - June 11

Analogous Color Less saturated

Triadic Color saturated

Monochromatic Color

Color Temperature

Color Temperature

Color Temperature

Color Temperature

Color Temperature

Color Temperature

Color Temperature Cool colors recede and warm colors project

Warm type on a cool background Color Temperature Cool colors recede and warm colors project Warm type on a cool background Cool type on a warm background

Color Symbolism All colors have a meaning or evoke a specific emotion - Warm and cool colors - Colors in nature - Colors in culture - Colors in business - Colors in presentations http://www.mariaclaudiacortes.com/#

Color Symbolism Warm colors: Active & exciting - Colors in the red/orange/yellow range - Advance towards the viewer

Color Symbolism Cool colors: Passive & calming - Colors in the green/blue/violet range - Recede from the viewer

Nature Color Symbolism Red Danger, Heat, Blood, Fire Yellow Warmth, Sun Green Life, Youth, Money, Plants Blue Cool, Water, Sky Brown Age, Earth, Soil, Decay Pastels Distance, Haze

Cultural Color Symbolism White Western Societies: Purity, Virtue, Life Eastern Societies: Death, Mourning Red Western & Japan: Danger China: Joy, Festive occasions Vietnam: Weddings

Cultural Color Symbolism Yellow Western Societies: Cowardice, Caution China: Royalty, color of the Emperor

Business Color Symbolism Blue Responsibility & knowledge Green Environmentally Conscious Red & Orange Strong & aggressive

Were # 1! Gaining ground Be careful Presentation Color Yellow on Blue - Time tested & mother approved Gaining ground Green is becoming more popular encourages interaction Be careful A red alternative to yellow text - watch background!

Samples & PowerPoint Tips

World View What did people think about the planets and stars? How did people spend their time? What are the four humors?

World View What did people think about the planets and stars? How did people spend their time? What are the four humors? Tip: When using images as background, use adequate contrast between text and image color/texture

World View What did people think about the planets and stars? How did people spend their time? What are the four humors?

What did people think about the planets and stars? How did people spend their time? What are the four humors? Tip: Make your graphic background & slide background a similar color.

What did people think about the planets and stars? How did people spend their time? What are the four humors? Tip: Establish a hierarch of information. If the graphic is only decorative, don’t make it dominant.

How much precipitation is there in the Taiga? 12-33 inches per year Most comes during the warm,humid summer months  Cold winters have some snowfall

How much precipitation is there in the Taiga? 12-33 inches per year Most comes during the warm, humid summer months  Cold winters have some snowfall Tip: -Contrast sizes to show hierarchy -Use only 2-3 typefaces -Stick with standard typefaces Times, Palatino, Garamond, etc Helvetica, Arial, Universe, Verdana, etc.

How much precipitation is there in the Taiga? 12-33 inches per year Most comes during the warm, humid summer months  Cold winters have some snowfall Tip: - Use simple bullets - Add space between lines for legibility - Occasional drop shadows may help legibility

The PACER The PACER tests endurance and aerobic capacity. This test is progressive in intensity, meaning it is easy at the beginning and gets harder as you go on. You will perform this test to a CD and your partner will track your progress.

The PACER Tests endurance and aerobic capacity Progressive in intensity easy at the beginning and gets harder as you go on. Perform this test to a CD Your partner will track your progress Tip: - Bullet important information - Avoid writing every word

The PACER Tests endurance and aerobic capacity Progressive in intensity easy at the beginning and gets harder as you go on. Perform this test to a CD Your partner will track your progress Tip: - Allow greater line spacing - Select more legible type - Change background color

The PACER Tests endurance and aerobic capacity Progressive in intensity easy at the beginning and gets harder as you go on. Perform this test to a CD Your partner will track your progress Tip: - Although red is a more active color, It’s too hard on the eyes

Do you know all the planets’ names? I have a trick to help you remember the planets’ names. My (Mercury) Very (Venus) Excellent (Earth) Mother (Mars) Just (Jupiter) Served (Saturn) Us (Uranus) Nine (Neptune) Pizzas (Pluto)

Do you know all the planets’ names? My (Mercury) Very (Venus) Excellent (Earth) Mother (Mars) Just (Jupiter) Served (Saturn) Us (Uranus) Nine (Neptune) Pizzas (Pluto) I have a trick to help you remember the planets’ names.