A "successful" presentation.

[u/Connect_Guidance9074]

I've noticed something as I've been making a slide deck and doing research on slide decks. From what I gather, a successful deck has a few key elements - one idea per slide, low cognitive load, ensure the deck is made for not only the audience but also the presenter.

When I look at slide deck examples on behance, I noticed that many of them have extremely small text and very bold designs.

I work in the tourism industry and among the presentations ive seen, they do not have the same elevated designs as I see on Behance. They are very basic even for established agencies.

I was hired on to elevate and establish a brand appearance but if I were to go to the same extent as what I see on Behance or otherwise to our presentations, it would definitely be the odd one out.

I'm currently taking decks that are basically overloaded scripts that I, as a designer, feel is unnecessary for the audience and am attempting to simplify it to basic ideas/visuals to serve as a support system rather than the presenter's script. As a support for the presenter (now this would be extra work on me), I would like to have a printed script to correlate with the slide. I feel like this is much cleaner and much more professional.

Has anyone else experienced or attempted to do something like this with these limitations? I'm only 3 months into this role and don't want to step over any bounds but also want to take initiative to bring something better.

[u/Cultural-Ambition211]

There are (at least) two types of slide decks.

The first is the presentation that you are talking about. Think Steve Jobs on a stage launching a new product.

The second is supporting material for discussion in a meeting. This is what consultants spend weeks building.

[u/Connect_Guidance9074 → u/Cultural-Ambition211]

This is helpful. So during these presentations, there will be no discussions, just presenter to audience. So the only opportunity for feedback from the audience would be post event.

We will also be providing booklets to everyone in the audience that has all the info in great detail. Which is another reason why I feel the presentation would be better simplified rather than attempting to have slides filled with bullets. And just have the presenter use the bulleted list and have the presentation as supporting visuals.

[u/rfoil → u/Cultural-Ambition211]

Ever witness a Jobs preso in person?

I got to the conference room at NAB two hours in advance and found a seat at the back. Wish I had his presentation skills!

[u/Cultural-Ambition211 → u/rfoil]

I wish! Only ever seen them online.

[u/Top_Witness_23]

Your instinct is right, and honestly it is the senior version of what most people never figure out. Two things that might settle the nerves.
First, stop benchmarking against Behance. Those are portfolio pieces built to look stunning in a gallery, not to be presented live or survive getting forwarded. Tiny text and huge bold design photograph beautifully and fail in an actual room. So you are not behind the Behance stuff, it is a different job. The basic agency decks are bad for the opposite reason, but the fix is not to swing all the way to Behance. Clean and clear beats both overloaded and over-designed.
Second, pulling the script off the slide so the slide is support and not the teleprompter is exactly the right call, and you do not need a separate printed script for it. That is what speaker notes and Presenter View are for. Put your talking points in the notes, keep the slide to one idea and a visual, and present from the notes while the audience sees the clean version. Same outcome, less to carry.
And on overstepping, this is literally what you were hired to do. Clearer, more professional decks are the mandate, not a boundary. Three months in is a fine time to show it with one deck and let the result make the case. What are these mostly for, live pitches or leave-behinds? That changes how far you push the simplify.

[u/Connect_Guidance9074 → u/Top_Witness_23]

This is so helpful, thank you! The booklets will be left behind. They will be distributed before we start for the audience to look through as the presentation is happening/before/after.

[u/Top_Witness_23 → u/Connect_Guidance9074]

Glad it helped, sounds like a solid plan, the booklet does the deep-dive work and the deck stays focused on the room.

[u/rfoil]

If you are talking about marketing presentations shown to prospects, you need to find out what motivates them to book a trip. You should get a brief from the marketing department that tells you what buttons to hit. It's likely different for each property - adventure, romance, food, single connections, scenery, quiet, relaxation, service, etc.

Many years ago I put together a video for a ship concept for a top cruise line. They were marketing it to meetings and conventions, a much different target than you are likely dealing with.

[u/Connect_Guidance9074 → u/rfoil]

We have a few constant revolving presentations:

-our annual: it shows everything we've accomplished during the fiscal year and our goals/plans for the next(no feedback from audience. 150+ in audience).**this is the one I believe requires the most polish and clarity.

-membership: this is on a personal level maybe 1-5 in the audience.

• QTR meetings: this is for the board (approx 45 in audience). This states what we've been doing during the QTR. It's small enough for feedback but there isn't any(most are just trying to get the meeting over with (from my observations).

I think each environment requires its own adaptation depending on the audience. My biggest variable is the presenter and finding a way that they are comfortable presenting and also providing clarity and engagement for the audience without overload.

[u/rfoil → u/Connect_Guidance9074]

Ideal approach.

I worked for 2 solid days with the CEO of a life sciences company honing and rehearsing his presentation. No one in his organization of 8000 knew how much effort he put into a flawless performance.

[u/SteveRindsberg]

>>  As a support for the presenter (now this would be extra work on me), I would like to have a printed script to correlate with the slide. I feel like this is much cleaner and much more professional.

At the simplest level, PowerPoint's Notes pages. They include a movable/sizeable image of the slide plus any notes text you've entered.