Although presenting takes both practice and experience, this deck can augment your skills. It covers guiding principles, talking points and clear, simple advice for designers showcasing their work.

1. A designer’s guide
to presenting work
Guiding principles and words of advice

2. GUIDING
PRINCIPLES
1. Confidence + empathy
2. Reveal truth
3. Don’t (over) bullsh*t it
4. Speak clearly & tell a story
5. Passion without ego
6. Make people laugh

3. Confidence is key, but it does not sell
the work by itself. The approach
must be met with empathy and
understanding of the audience’s
point of view.
1. CONFIDENCE + EMPATHY (DON’T BE A DICK)

4. Empathy comes from revealing truth
— not concealing it. Sources of truth
can be in the form of process,
inspiration and conceptual explanation.
2. REVEAL TRUTH

5. Ensure rationale is backed by sound,
creative logic and historical references.
Sell the work much like an appraiser
from Antique Roadshow® rather than
Pawn Stars®. You dig?
3. DON’T (OVER) BULLSHIT IT

6. Clarity of communication is key.
Avoid saying all the things at once.
Slow down. Start from the beginning.
Tell a story. (note: stories have a
beginning, middle, and end).
4. SPEAK CLEARLY AND TELL A STORY

7. Speak with passion, but be mindful of
subjectivity. Humility always
trumps arrogance in gaining trust
and respect.
5. PASSION WITHOUT EGO

8. Cracking jokes isn’t necessary, but it
wouldn’t hurt to smile and find a bit of
joy and humor in what you are
presenting. Be a good human, look
people in the eye and don’t take
yourself too seriously. Srsly.
6. MAKE PEOPLE LAUGH

9. THE FOUR C’S
1. Composition
2. Craft
3. Content
4. Context
Ensure your artwork and design
meet these principles, and that you
are able to describe each in a
manner that achieves success.

10. REMEMBER THE FOUR C’S
Composition: Framing, placement, and visual elements
Craft: The materials and the artistic skill exhibited in the work
Content: The emotional or intellectual message that provides meaning
Context: Influence, circumstance, or historical reference

11. TALKING POINTS
& QUESTIONS TO
ASK YOURSELF
1. What the F&%# is it?
2. What was it inspired by?
3. Why should I care?
4. How does/will it come to life?

12. Start by concisely explaining the essence of what you
created. If you don’t start here, confusion will ensue.
1. WHAT THE F&%# IS IT?
TALKING POINTS:
• “So what we’re looking at here is…”
• “The essence of this concept is…”
• “This concept is about…”

13. Next, simply describe what influenced your design.
This could include emotions, historical references,
anecdotes, and what you ate for breakfast.
2. WHAT WAS IT INSPIRED BY?
TALKING POINTS:
• “We were inspired by…”
• “This concept is based on the notion…”
• (anecdotal reference) “I remember ______
and I thought to myself..”

14. Find the meaning. Find the emotion.
What makes it special, interesting, or relevant?
3. WHY SHOULD I CARE?
TALKING POINTS:
• “It evokes emotions of…”
• “What we find unique/interesting is…”
• “The driving factors are…”
• “We find this relevant because…”

15. Finally, explain your execution (materials,
aesthetics, construction, interaction)
4. HOW DOES/WILL IT COME TO LIFE?
TALKING POINTS:
• “We see this coming to life…”
• “We’d like to execute this with…”
• “As you scroll down, you’ll see…”

16. Talking about one’s own work is hard,
and takes practice. Especially with emotion
involved. Be passionate without being
defensive and realize that design is your job,
and you are solving problems for paying
clients. Above all, just be yourself, fool!
IN CLOSING..