This document discusses using visuals to enhance slide design and learning. It notes that pictures are remembered better than words, especially with brief exposures. Using images and text together maximizes retention. Visuals should reinforce the same information. The "picture superiority effect" is widely used in marketing through visuals in posters, brochures, and reports. Research shows recognition doubles for pictures versus text. The document provides tips for effective visual slide design such as using one idea per slide and leaving white space. It encourages taking time to translate ideas into images.

1. Visual Slide Design
Translating ideas into images
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. 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
Text Only
Pictures Only
Recognition Rates
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. Dr. John Medina
author, Brain Rules
Recognition doubles
for a picture
compared with text.

9. Who is your audience?

10. One idea per slide

11. Preserve“white space”

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

13. Make time to translate
ideas into pictures

14. Insert: Shape
To create visual emphasis

16. Insert: SmartArt
To show relationships or process

17. Research Assignment
Thesis Statement
Research Question
Topic

18. Flight Plan
San
Francisco
Glasgow
RomeAthens
Belize
City

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

20. Insert: Picture
For emotional impact

23. Inspiration & Alternatives

24. Download practice slides from
csum.libguides.com/slidedesign
Pick one slide and convert to
visual format
Practice

25. Upload your new slide to
www.slideshare.net
Share

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

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