C.R.A.P. Recap

Now that we have looked at each letter in the acronym C.R.A.P., let’s consider how to put all of the pieces together.

First, let’s review each letter. C stands for Contrast. And, the key principle of contrast states that “if two items are not exactly the same, then make them different. Really different.” This can be done by making a font or graphic larger or smaller, bold, or a (really) different color.

R stands for Repetition. And the key principle of repetition states that you “repeat some aspect of the design throughout the entire piece.” For example, you might contrast headings from the main body by making them larger and different font, but for repetition, each heading might use the same font and size.

A stands for Alignment. And, the key principle of alignment states that “nothing should be placed on the page arbitrarily. Every item should have a visual connection with something else on the page.” This can be done by making sure that the left, right, top or bottom border of each element lines up with the border of another element on your slide.

P stands for Proximity. And, the key principle of alignment states that you “group related items together.” By placing related items together, you can visually show their relationship. This will usually create some “blank” spaces on your slide where the eye can rest.

Let’s look at how we can combine this principles on a slide.


















See on this slide how there are no good design principles? First of all, the background is distracting. But also, there is no contrast, no alignment, and no proximity. The only reason there is any repetition is that the font and size are the same.

The lack of design principles makes this slide difficult for your audience to enjoy. But, even more importantly, it makes it difficult for them to understand. What is important in this slide? Where should your eyes look?

Now look at a slide where we apply the principles of C.R.A.P.:


















Much better, right? We applied contrast by using a simple background and be using a (really) different font, bold, and colors (but not too many). We applied repetition by using the same fonts and sizes for the general elements. We applied alignment by having each element share a right axis. And we applied proximity by having information about the topic at the top and information about the speaker at the bottom.

I hope that helps you see how everything works together. Now that you have learned how to apply design to your slides, I hope you realize that these principles also apply to any designs (including posters, documents, etc…).

Photography in Powerpoint® Slides

I was asked today by a student to give advice about finding and using photography in Powerpoint® for your presentations.

FIRST, I think it is a good idea to use photography in your presentations. Photographs often have a strong impact on your audience if you choose good images. Of course, in addition to finding and choosing good-looking images, you need to be careful about using copyrighted materials.

One way to avoid problems is to use your own photographs. Consider if you and your teammates can take photographs that suit your point.

Another option is to use stock photography. There are both paid and free options. Sometimes I buy photographs from a website called iStockphoto.com. After paying one time for the photo, I am able to use the photo again and again.

However, most of you probably do not want to pay for your photographs. There are some free options on sites like Flickr. You need to be careful though, because each photographer who puts their photos on Flickr can choose what kind of license to give to people who download their images. You need to find images with a Creative Commons licence (click here to read about the CC license and to browse photos with those licenses).

SECOND, you should consider filling your entire slide with one photograph instead of using a small image inside your slide. Also consider if you really need text, or if the image alone is enough to support what you are saying. If you do need to use words on the slide, write them in an empty space inside the photograph (if there is any). If possible, use white or black with a shadow.

Most of Flickr's photos are not large enough to fill a slide though. I recommend photos that are 1024 x 768 pixels or larger (at least 800 x 600 which you can stretch). So, I suggest another site called stock.xchange. There images are free to download and come with a license that allows you to use the images in presentations (read here for more details about the license). Just don't use those images to earn money for some other project. There is a search bar where you can write in key words that can help you find good images.

THIRD, give credit to the photographer. Some people will write the photographers name and/or the website link on the photograph. This is OK, but you can also make a slide at the end of your presentation with all of the credits (or even a handout). Whatever you do, don't take credit for someone else's work.

Have fun in your preparations. I look forward to seeing what you do with your presentations!

Proximity

In this post we continue looking at the principles represented in the acronym C. R. A. P. from Robin Williams’ book the Non-Designers Design Book. In previous posts we looked at Contrast, Repetition and Alignment. In this post, we look at the next letter in the acronym, Proximity (nearness). According to Williams, the key principle of alignment states that you “group related items together.” When items that are related to each other are moved close together, the proximity helps make a visual connection and adds cohesion to your visuals.

Proximity helps us to see the relationships. It makes it easier for the audience to see the relationships and the empty spaces gives a place to rest their eyes. Look at the two slides below:





























With the slide on the top, it is not clear whether my name belongs with the title or with the school. On the bottom, it is clear that I am showing the relationship with my name and the school.

So, I hope you will look at your slides and consider how to show relationships using proximity.

Alignment

In this post we continue looking at the principles represented in the acronym C. R. A. P. from Robin Williams’ book the Non-Designers Design Book. In previous posts we looked at Contrast and Repetition. In this post, we look at the next letter in the acronym, Alignment. According to Williams, the key principle of alignment states that “nothing should be placed on the page arbitrarily. Every item should have a visual connection with something else on the page.”

Alignment gives greater cohesion to your design. Even though items on your page are separated from each other (the P in C. R. A. P. — Proximity), with alignment, your audience can see that all of the elements are part of the same piece.

Elements can be aligned either horizontally or vertically (or both). It is not necessary that each element align with every other element, only that each element should align with at least one other element. Elements can align with other elements on the center, left, or right, or they can align at the top or bottom.

See an example of center alignment below:

Title
Point 1
Point 2

Point 3

Notice that the text from each line aligns on the middle. Next, see an example of left alignment below:

Title
Point 1
Point 2

Point 3

See how each the text from each line aligns on the left? Finally, let’s look at an example of right alignment:

Title
Point 1
Point 2

Point 3

Beginners often use center alignment because it is clean and safe. And there is nothing wrong with that. But sometimes, you slides can have more impact if you try left or right alignment. Try out a few different ways with your slide until you find the best combination for your message.

C. R. A. P.

C.R.A.P. is the acronym that author Robin Williams uses in her book The Non-Designer's Design Book to teach basic design principles to people like you and me (non-designers).

To native speakers, this is a funny acronym because one of the uses for the word crap is as an adjective to describe something that has bad design or is useless. (note: be careful because crap is a slang word and one of the uses of this word is much worse than the one above. Don't use it in formal situations until you are 100% sure of how to use it).

The acronym stands for:
Contrast – when you change a size or font, make it REALLY different.
Repetition – have a theme to your design. Make like things alike.
Alignment – each element in your slide should be aligned other elements.
Proximity – related items should be close to each other.

I will write more about each item in this blog. Be sure to consider your slides in light of these principles.

Daniel (a.k.a. GTB/Samurai Theologian)