Basic Visual Language

For many years, presentations have (sadly some still use it like that) been treated like some kind of word document – blown up, shortened into bullets to create a “see-all” document, read with enthusiasm (come-on!) by the presenter.

Now that some of us, know how important it is to create a visual impact, using any presentation software, we also need to understand the basics of the Visual Language. Ask any photography enthusiast – amateur or professional and they will give you a clear guide to this language.

So why is it necessary, to use this photo-language in presentations? Simple because, this is a universal visual language – used widely by all visual creators – artists, cartoonists, photographers, video-makers etc. And Presentation does fall into this category of  visual expression.

Now, here I am going to explain this Basic Visual Language. (If you want to know about Rule of thirds, I suggest you grab hold of Presentation Zen)

Long Shot (LS)

A shot that shows a scene from a distance. This is the least effective picture to communicate. You are far, outside the action.

Medium shot (MS)

A shot that frames subjects normally from the waist up. You are nearer. It is like the way you talk to people. It is used to introduce subject to your audience

Close up (CU)

A shot taken at close range, inches away or zooming into a subject’s face or object. It directs the audience to an important element.

Extreme Close up (ECU)

A very intimate shot

Medium Close up (MCU)

A shot that frames subject normally from chest up. It is close, but not too close.

Extreme Long shot (ELS)

A shot that gives the viewer “geography” – you see the whole area. You can see a lot of detail in the surroundings

Establishing shot (ES)

A shot that shows where you are. It establishes where the action takes place

Over the shoulder (OS)

A shot of a subject taken over the shoulder of another

Favoring shot (FS)

A shot that favors the subject who is talking

Point of View (POV)

A shot that shows what the subject is looking at

This is the language you need to use when you are dealing with images, drawing or even text. When you understand the power of this Basic Visual Language, then you will notice significant impacts in your presentations.

Go ahead, use this Visual Language and Make great presentations.

Visual Stimulation

What comes to your mind on seeing this picture?

I am sure certain memories, dreams, ideas, desires, stories must have sprung up into your mind – if not all – at least some thought must have come up. That is the power of Visual. A simple image can put your brain into gear – either into positive or negative.

Compare the two pictures below:

They must have created either a positive or negative feeling. They could arise out of personal experiences, anecdotes, stories you have seen (or read) or out of a general perception.

In our conscious and unconsicous states of mind, we hold memories or perceptions about each visual imagery and we exhibit our judgements based on our mindsets.

I want to present today a concept called Visual Stimulation. This is a practical process, widely used in educating infants and toddlers. The idea is to stimulate through visuals, the learning ability (read ‘creative’). Visuals, accelerate the learning power of each individual and it is very much needed for creativity. Ofcourse, the idea is not to put too many plots inside one visual – but to give a simple, clear picture that stimulates – so less in visual stimulation is better.

The reason why we advocate this process of Visual stimulation is simple – We want you to break free! VS aids in creative brainstorming.

So our challenge is simply this:
Take any visual – be it in a natural setting or in a captured (photo, painting, comic etc) setting.

1. Just delve into that visual.
2. Relax deeply.
3. Allow it to stimulate different feelings and thoughts.
4. Pen it down(write or draw), one after another. (How many relate to your personal life – work or home?)
5. Create a story or recollect a story from one of the core emotions and capture it on paper.

Now you are ready for more productive work.

This will set you in tune, to create good ideas and also capture stories that add meaning to your life.

So start your visual stimulation today.

Visual Understanding

How can you understand technology?

How can you understand complexity?

How can you communicate complex technology?

Well, the answer is Visual Understanding!

I recently met a client (a tech product firm) and they gave me some inputs about one of their products and we began to discuss about SIMPLE, EFFECTIVE presentation. Now, the first part for me was to understand what they were talking about.

Before I could embark on a brainstorming session to get some real messages, I wanted to first understand. So I decided to choose the route I find easy and effective – visual!

So I took out my bunch of tissue-papers and began to scribble (some amused faces here), then as the pictures began to take shape, smiles replaced the amusement and I got the message and so did many more out there.

The next time, you want to understand technology (even if you are a passionate techie), I would suggest you go visual – it works, clears, and is effective across audiences.

Want to know more about this: I suggest you read Made to Stick

Elevator Presentation

Wondering how some people can be so busy! C’mon, how can you share your enthusiastic ,near-perfect solution, going down or up an elevator? You have spent hours if not days, preparing a great PowerPoint or maybe a whiteboard sketching  and then on the D-day, at the appointed time – You are asked to give a presentation. No, not in the conference room, but in a closed, moving elevator. Please…help!

Though I have heard of this so-called elevator speech, I was not really serious about it – until a week back. I went to see this new client with a host of stuff to show, demonstrate and present. Sitting at the 11 floor, I suddenly found a man rushing with two others towards me. Assuming he must be the client, I stood up and made my best hi. Well, he was indeed the client – but he had to go someplace urgently and as I began to say something about changes and adjustments (Me and my big mouth), he suggested that I share this presentation as we go-down the elevator.

What? My tools, my precious visual sketching that I wanted to impress him with – Well…we got on and came down (This was one ride – I wanted the elevator to go down real slow ). I could hardly say anything cohesive…and back at my desk, as I sat with my head pillowed in my hands – I decided to google – and I arrived at this fascinating site:
HBS Career Pitch

Then I began to create my own elevator speech and now I am almost ready to be caught unawares! The ‘real’ ready is when I have to actually do it!

This is not just for the elevator speech, but when you have to do a quick introduction…Prepare this and I am sure, it will help you tremendously in your regular introductions too.

Remember: Keep it simple and interesting but before that – get to know atleast a little bit about the person you are talking to. It helps to customize your elevator speech at the spot – because it then adds tremedous value to the listener.

When the laptop conks-off

I know a lil bit of what you are thinking now.

Courtesy: Imageshack

Imagine right before a client presentation, it refuses to boot, even if you give it the boot!
Every thought, idea, plan is in there in that ppt. So what do you do?

I mean, you must be having a back-up plan, isn’t it? I mean, do you… (After all you did make that ppt, right?)

Well, read on what R.Sridhar has to say here

Smoking-Benefit Campaign

The other day, I had gone for a discussion in a coffee shop, and while the client courteously abandoned his smoking, after hearing my choice – the lady counterpart who joined him later, came with a smoking stick stuck ‘glamorously’ in her mouth. It took a few coughs and animated gasps, before she got the message. But what struck me as hard, was her fascination with smoking and her addiction to this biggest cancer evangelist.

Smoking kills!

Now, this has become a dying cry, that refuses to fall on ‘enjoying’ ears. From the time, Horrey or some other bloke learned to roll a paper and fill it with tobacco – the multi-million dollar industry has simply refused to die.

In India, a conservative male-dom (in smoking) is today seeing a vast invasion by the eves. In my childhood I have seen ladies move away from smokers, while some dared to endure the poison fumes – but now in my 30s, I see many women, especially students and corporate take on smoking, like it is some kind of sport: they want to conquer! Words fail me as I watch young and younger fall prey to this addiction. Why smoking is much more dangerous than drinking is that it troubles and affects even the ‘innocent’ passerby or companion, for the poision corrupts the surrounding air and lungs.

As I was feeling so bad, about this smoking trend – I got a glimpse of Xplane‘s Smoking Poster and was fascinated about how clear and honest this message is:

It is then, that I decided to include a Smoking-Benefit campaign in my blog. Well, the benefit is simply death – only faster and ugly.

So if you know someone who smokes (do you too?) then tell them about the 4000 extra chemicals they gain each time they smoke.

PS: You can see some great ads here

Make your own picture

Presenting using PowerPoint is today, slowly moving away from the wrong concepts that caused ‘death-by-PowerPoint’. One of the many tips, fast being put into action is of adding relevant photos to convey a message. For example, if I am to convey looking at a computer, working on the PC, creating ppts etc I would add a picture like this:

Now this image is very clear and captures one’s imagination!

But as we are creating a story, we find that getting relevant images becomes difficult and really tiresome. Also it sometimes lacks the personal touch when dealing with your personal story. So is there a way to make each image personal in addition to being relevant?

Well, there is!

Go, make your own photo. (I said make, not take and that is the big difference)

I find great satisfaction in snapping photos – but only after I have created a storyboard and have a clear idea of what I want to capture. Well, sometimes we really can’t get a great picture as professionals, but it still makes it very personal! You can also use Adobe Photoshop to do some modifications, or even Picasa for the simple effect – like B&W, crop etc.

Now, this is a photo that I made which coveys the message mentioned above:

And I personally know and feel, that this is a much better image and it aids in my visual storytelling

So why don’t you get your camera and make your own picture.

(Remember: Make a picture – Preparing a storyboard is vital before clicking photos)

Drawing in PowerPoint

One of  the most amazing things to do in powerpoint is sketching. It really gives me a lot of fulfillment. The big problem is using the mouse. Well, I hope to get a tablet for drawing in the near future – until then, me and my mouse are the closest of buddies.

Well, ever since Kevin began to go to school, we have begun to follow a routine. It was hard at first – now it has become almost a habit by choice!

So today morning, I decided to sketch the same on a tissue paper, using the technique of Dan Roam. And it came out pretty good. So I was thinking of taking snaps of it and inserting it into a powerpoint, but Kevin in his excitement tore them all to pieces!!!

So, I was back to square zero. Then I decided to replicate the same using my dear mouse (Do you know who invented the mouse?) and I got a not-so-great sketch…so I added in some more ideas, some simple animations and put together: Kevin’s morning routine.

So, do enjoy and remember to subscribe to my feed and send this to your friends.