P R E S E N T A T I O NS K I L L S

R E M E D I A L C L A S S

P R E S E N T A T I O NB O A R D L A Y O U T

T I P S

R E M E D I A L C L A S S

Before you start

Organize yourself. What is your purpose or what main idea do you want your presentation to communicate? What drawings, images, and information (text) best support this argument?

Gather this information, make sure that every single element in the board is high-quality.

Layout essentials:The Grid

What is a presentation board? A composition of different graphic elements in one limited space. Before you start, sit down and make sure you work on the GRID which gives you a precise layout AND a general idea of how the board will look like.

Layout Essentials:Visual Hierarchy

The concept of hierarchy should be considered when designing your board.

Certain drawings or images should receive more visual attention. This emphasis can help the viewer to understand your project.

Layout Essentials Rhythm

Just as a rhythm or pattern can stimulate a work of art or music, visual rhythm can also create order or stimulation. Grids help create the structure for a visual rhythm.

Plain background colours work best.

Unless you have a VERY GOOD reason, use white or gray plain background. The main focus of the board is the contents, not the background.

Do not use big pictures or patterns as backgrounds.Be careful with the resolution as well (we don’t want to see big pixels).

How to choose a font?

With so many typeface designs, the task of choosing the right typeface can seem a design challenge in itself.There are two main classifications of typefaces: Serifs and Sans-serif. Serif typefaces contain semistructural details called serifs at the endof some of the letter strokes.A typeface without thesedetails is called sans-serif. Within these two categories exist a range of fonts.

How to choose a font?

Many architects gravitate towards the simplicity and clean lines of Sans-serif fonts.

However, selecting your font depends on the nature of the content being presented. The personality of the letters should correspond with your presentation style, while not overpowering the content. Keep it simple!

How many fonts?

One font is usually sufficient. Two can be used at the most.

It is wise to select a typeface that belongs to a larger type family. That way, you can consistently use the regular version and use the bold version when emphasis is needed.

What font size is ok?

You should also limit the size of fonts to two or three different sizes.

Set a size to be used for titles, text, and captions, for example. Titles should be visible from a distance.

Text and captions may require a closer view. There is no foolproof way to predict your font sizes except to practice and print out in advance.

Structure the content of your boards from most important to least!- Informative text that is concise which tells us about the features and benefit of your design.

- Perspective or Isometric view that best shows off your design

- Floor Plan or Orthogonal drawings (Front + Top + Side views)

- Elevations – For architecture-interiors it’s important to include at least 2 elevation views – East / West / Top

- Hand drawings / renders that shows your design process

- Close up views or particular features of your design that you feel it’s important for the viewer to know

Architecture and Interior (specific)

Presentation boards for architectural and interior drawings need to clearly communicate specific information relative to architecture. It’s important to keep the following in mind:

Drawing Relationships

Architectural drawings such as sections and plans should be aligned and coordinated.

Plans and sections shouldbe aligned vertically and of the same scale. This should be the case regarding scale unless you want one drawing to receive more/less attention.

The drawings to the left are vertically aligned and of the same scale so that drawings are able to reference one another accurately

The sections are horizontally aligned and of the same scale. If placed at the bottom of the page, they are grounded by visual gravity.

Visual Gravity

Extending the ground of sections at the bottom of the page can offer visual gravity or weight to the layout.

Symbols

Symbols such as the North arrow, a scale indicator, and arrows/leaders should be included to clarify drawings.

Include concept and development sketches.

Even if they aren’t perfect scaled drawings but just a side panel of quick vignettes (a vignette is a small sketch) that show how your idea developed from a blob to the wondrous creation it is now.

Don’t forget to put your name...

Do not clutter your boards with rubbish (non-related stuff)

Provide some empty space to ‘free’ your boards, Negative white space is good, it allows the viewer to ease into your board and not get overwhelmed   You will not get better marks by showing more information – it is the quality not quantity that counts here!

Effective communication

When designing a presentation board, your goal is to communicate effectively some specific content: you want people to UNDERSTAND without getting confused.

As a general rule, always show the board to someone - it’s the best way to check if it’s clear or not.

Reference Books

- Layout Essentials: 100 Design Principles for Using Grids by Beth Tondreau

- Making and Breaking the Grid: A Graphic Design Layout Workshop by Timothy Samara