Presentations for Scientists, Part 1: Colors and Themes

Building a clean, visually attractive presentation is one of the most effective ways for scientists to engage their audience, whether at a scientific conference or venture capital pitch. Fortunately, it's not a difficult process, and following a few simple guidelines will ensure that the audience focuses on the content and isn't distracted by awkward presentation design. In part 1 of this series, David Shifrin covers a few tips for color and theme selection. The short version: keep it simple; if you have to ask, "is this too much?" it probably is.

Transcript

1. A  scien(st’s  guide  to  great  presenta(ons   Part  1:   Themes  and  color  schemes   David  Shifrin,  PhD   Life  Science  Communica(on  Strategies   davidshifrin.net     @dshifrin   ©  2014,  David  Shifrin   All  images  from  Shu:erstock  
2. ©  2014,  David  Shifrin   The  cornerstone  ques(on:   What  does  your  audience  need  to  appreciate  and  understand   your  content  with  the  least  amount  of  distrac(on?  
3. ©  2014,  David  Shifrin   DO   Use  background  images  on  (tle  slides   Background  images  on  (tle  slides  (i.e.   any  non-­‐data  slide)  can  provide  a  hook   to  get  your  audience  interested.     Make  the  background  image  par(ally   transparent  can  allow  text  to  be  legible.  
4. ©  2014,  David  Shifrin   DO   Use  background  images  on  (tle  slides   Color  in  a  background  image,  on  (tle  slide,  can  be   an  effec(ve  way  to  get  the  audience  excited.     This  is  one  of  the  only  places  where  a  color   background  is  a  benefit  and  not  a  distrac(on.  
5. ©  2014,  David  Shifrin   DON’T   Use  solid  background  images  under  text   Background  images  will  distract  from  real   content,  so  don’t  use  them  on  data  slides.     A  solid  image  can  make  it  almost  impossible  to   read  overlaid  text,  whether  black  or  white.     If  you  do  use  a  background  image  with  wide   gray-­‐scale  varia(on,  consider  yellow  text.  
6. ©  2014,  David  Shifrin   DO   S(ck  with  black  and  white   Using  black/white  or  gray-­‐scale  themes  keeps   presenta(ons  clean  and  maximizes  flexibility.  
7. ©  2014,  David  Shifrin   A  white  background  is  simple,  clean,  and   doesn't  distract  from  the  content.   DO:  S(ck  with  black  and  white  
8. DO:  S(ck  with  black  and  white   ©  2014,  David  Shifrin   White  backgrounds  offer  more   flexibility  for  colors  used  in  images.  
9. DO:  S(ck  with  black  and  white   A  black  background  provides  great   contrast  and  works  well  for  dark  images.   ©  2014,  David  Shifrin  
10. The  excep(on  for  black  backgrounds   The  extreme  contrast  of  bright  or  white  images  on  a   black  background  can  cause  a  “flashlight  effect.”   ©  2014,  David  Shifrin  
11. ©  2014,  David  Shifrin   DON’T   Use  intense  color  backgrounds   Yellow  on  blue  was  designed  and  used  to  limit   glare  while  maximizing  contrast.     Unfortunately,  it  can  conflict  with  the  content   being  presented    and  distract  the  audience.     If  you  use  a  color  background  keep  it  subtle,   otherwise  save  the  color  for  your  content.  
12. ©  2014,  David  Shifrin   Background  and  text  colors  can  clash  with  product   images  and  make  the  slide  seem  too  busy.   DON’T:  use  intense  color  backgrounds  
13. ©  2014,  David  Shifrin   Background  and  text  colors  can  clash  with  data   like  immunofluorescence  images.   DON’T:  use  intense  color  backgrounds  
14. DON’T:  use  blocks  of  color  text   I  saw  a  talk  where  the  speaker  used  (ny,   pale  green  text  on  a  white  background  on  a   slide  that  included  10  bullet  points  that  ran   across  the  en(re  width.  It  was  painful  to   look  at  and  impossible  to  read  from  30  feet   away  in  the  back  of  the  room.  This  is  what   it  looked  like  from  where  I  was  si^ng...but   with  a  lot  more  words.  At  one  point  he   said,  "if  you  can  see  point  4  there,"  and   someone  yelled  out,  "No,  we  can't  see  any   of  it!"  It  was  uncomfortable.   ©  2014,  David  Shifrin  
15. ©  2014,  David  Shifrin   DO   Use  background  effects…carefully   Have  a  unique  background  can  help  your  presenta(on  stand   out  and  reinforce  your  brand,  but  don’t  go  overboard.  
16. DO:  Use  background  effects…carefully   Subtle  gradients  can  provide  an   interes(ng  visual  effect  without   sacrificing  contrast  or  distrac(ng   from  the  content.   When  using  gradients  or   effects,  use  them  consistently   across  all  slides.   ©  2014,  David  Shifrin  
17. ©  2014,  David  Shifrin   DON’T   Use  excessive  background  effects   If  you  have  to  work  to  make  your  data  visible  over  the   background,  your  audience  will  have  to  work  that  much  harder   to  see  it.  If  you  decide  to  use  an  image  or  padern  (or  yes,  color)   for  branding  purposes,  keep  it  very,  very  subtle.  
18. DON’T:  Use  excessive  background  effects   Trying  to  get  too  clever  with   effects  and  gradients  can  backfire   and  become  distrac(ng.   Heavy  gradients  can  force   concessions  like  changing  font   color  in  the  middle  of  a  slide.   ©  2014,  David  Shifrin  
19. ©  2014,  David  Shifrin   DO:  Check  out  these  addi(onal  resources   The  following  slides  include  a  small  selec(on  of   favorite  resources,  along  with  a  few  addi(onal   guidelines  for  picking  colors  and  themes.  
20. Tools  for  picking  colors   Nature,   Wealth   Imagina(on,   Luxury   Trust,   Serenity   Posi(vity,   Cheerfulness   Energy,   Heat   Power,   Passion   ©  2014,  David  Shifrin   Love,   Happiness   Use  colors  that  fit  the  tone  you  want  your  content  and  data  to  convey  
21. Tools  for  picking  colors   Color  Picker  (Mac)   ©  2014,  David  Shifrin  
22. Tools  for  picking  colors   Adobe  Color  CC  (formerly  Kuler)   ©  2014,  David  Shifrin  
23. •  An  Introduc(on  to  Color  Theory  for  Web  Designers   •  How  to  Develop  a  Strong  Visual  Brand  on  Social  Media   •  How  to  choose  a  colour  scheme  for  your  logo  design   Further  reading   ©  2014,  David  Shifrin  
24. •  Avoid  switching  back  and  forth  between  white  and  black   backgrounds  as  much  as  possible.  The  switch  can  be   disorien(ng  for  an  audience.  (Yes,  I  broke  that  rule  here.)   •  Use  the  same  theme  and  style,  not  just  between  slides   but  also  between  presenta(ons.  This  builds  a  consistent   brand  and  sets  audience  expecta(ons.   •  Keep  logos  unobtrusive.  Your  brand  will  be  beder  served   by  a  clean  presenta(on  than  by  punching  the  audience  in   the  face  with  your  oversized  logo  on  every  slide.   •  Consider  using  magenta/green  instead  of  red/green  so   that  colorblind  individuals  can  dis(nguish  between  them.   •  If  you  have  to  ask,  “is  this  too  much,”  it  probably  is.   A  few  final  rules  sugges(ons   ©  2014,  David  Shifrin  
25. ©  2014,  David  Shifrin   Back  to  the  cornerstone  ques(on:   What  does  the  audience  need  to  appreciate  and  understand   the  content  with  the  least  amount  of  distrac(on?   Ques(ons  or  comments?  Contact  me  at:   davidshifrin.net     @dshifrin