structuring your presentation - cranky talk 2011
DESCRIPTION
Short talk on structuring a presentation for Cranky Talk Workshop 2011TRANSCRIPT
Structuring your Presentation
Samantha Starmer [email protected] @samanthastarmer
http://www.flickr.com/photos/saroy/3455464539
meexperience, web stuff: Amazon, Microsoft
REI – Recreational Equipment, Inc. lead design, IA & experience teams
teach at University of Washington
from
to
how?
4 key principles1. start with you2. learn the environment3. build the bones4. leave time to adjust
1. start with you
1. start with you
• what is the ONE thing?• think about the story• what is your style?• are you scared?
what is the ONE thing?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14617207@N00/4872111479
what is the ONE thing?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14617207@N00/4872111479
• why are you speaking?• what is your point?• what is the ONE thing
you want your audience to remember?
think about the story
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sugarpond/3016905349
think about the story
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sugarpond/3016905349
• beginning, middle and end (make sure there is an end)
• all points to your ONE thing
• how would you tell it to your grandma? to a child?
what is your style?
http://
what is your style?
• formal or informal? • deep details or
inspirational? • don’t try to be funny if it
isn’t natural• get feedback. lots of it.
are you scared?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mindaugasdanys/3766009204/
are you scared?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14617207@N00/4872111479
• the more nervous you are, the more structure you need
• unless you are a very skilled improviser
• in which case, you probably wouldn’t be in this class
2. learn the environment http://www.flickr.com/photos/brue/4806532954
2. learn the environment
• scout the space• know your audience• build to your time limit• understand expectations
scout the space
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikecogh/4157191493
scout the space
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikecogh/4157191493
• ideal is to get on stage in advance, but learn what you can
• note placement of lights, screens, podium
• size and ‘feel’ of room should impact your structure
know your audience
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36714668@N02/4598065240
know your audience
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14617207@N00/4872111479
• size, level of expertise• what do they want from
you?• voluntary or hostage?• bored or interested?• friendly or combative?
build to your time limit
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wwarby/3297205226
build to your time limit
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wwarby/3297205226
• focus your topic on the time limit
• focus your scope & detail on the time limit
• the less time to prepare, the more structure you need
• experience will improve your gut sense
understand expectations
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kristin-and-adam/2778203028
understand expectations
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kristin-and-adam/2778203028
• do they expect results? or is the journey more relevant?
• technical or high level?• what kind of
assets/deliverables?
3. build the boneshttp://www.flickr.com/photos/ianturton/9555513
3. build the bones
• free your mind• remember the story• just jump in• make it FUN!
free your mind
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PhrenologyPix.jpg
free your mind
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PhrenologyPix.jpg
• don’t constrain too early• use your creative juice
makers• let it percolate• be willing to throw out
initial ideas • which means you need
twice the planning time you expect
just jump in
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ccheviron/3603397114
just jump in
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ccheviron/3603397114
• don’t be afraid to scribble
• paper prototype, but only if it works for you
• get into the tool as soon as you have the guts (of the structure, but also the nerve)
remember the story
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sugarpond/3016905349
remember the story
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sugarpond/3016905349
• ah, there is a point to all this
• keep the narrative (linear or not) as your north star
• throw out anything extraneous to the story
• no matter how cool
make it FUN!
make it FUN!• you should enjoy
building the story• you should enjoy
creating the structure• you will feel a quiet ping
when it starts to come together
4. leave time to adjust http://www.flickr.com/photos/clintjcl/4001170877
4. leave time to adjust
• lift your head out of the trees
• remember the ONE thing• practice time is critical• minimum formula: 70%,
25%, 5%
lift your head out of the trees
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mountjoy/5194910368
lift your head out of the trees
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mountjoy/5194910368
• check the whole arc regularly
• don’t get too hung up on the exact words or pictures
• the whole is greater than the sum of the parts
remember the ONE thing
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14617207@N00/4872111479
remember the ONE thing
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14617207@N00/4872111479
• when you think you have it, go back to the beginning
• is the ONE thing clear?• is your narrative intact?• does it flow? can you
easily remember your points?
dress rehearsal is critical
http://www.flickr.com/photos/evilpeacock/2194032579
dress rehearsal is critical
http://www.flickr.com/photos/evilpeacock/2194032579
• rehearse more than you want to
• rehearse out loud• rehearse in presentation
mode• rehearse with a timer• then CUT (if you have built
the structure right, you should have too much vs. too little)
minimum formula
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joao_trindade/4362414729
minimum formula
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joao_trindade/4362414729
• take the time allotted • multiply by 5 for the number
of minimum dress rehearal minutes
• multiply by 14 for the minimum number of building (in tool) minutes
• e.g. 20 minutes = 100 minutes rehearsing ~4 ½ hours buildinguntold weeks stressing
http://www.flickr.com/photos/saroy/3455464539
structure is key
1. start with you
• what is the ONE thing?• what is the story• what is your style?• are you scared?
2. learn the environment
• scout the space• know your audience• build to your time limit• understand expectations
3. build the bones
• free your mind• remember the story• just jump in• make it FUN!
4. leave time to adjust
• lift your head out of the trees
• remember the ONE thing• dress rehearsal is critical• minimum formula: 70%,
25%, 5%
http://www.flickr.com/photos/baking_in_pearls/3960662314
thank you!!
Samantha Starmer [email protected] @samanthastarmer