Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery

Chances are that you have had to endure some pretty horrible presentations. Many presenters try to deliver messages that are too complex or have no clear message at all. Most have slides that are far to wordy, while for many the graphics are poorly designed and confusing. Still more often, presentations are delivered in drab, stiff, monotone, with little or no facial, physical, or voice expressiveness. These problems all lead to presentations that are a waste of time for all concerned; presentations that do not impart memorable information. Enter Garr Reynolds, a leading expert on the design and delivery of presentations.

In this easy to read book with it’s engaging style and crystal clear graphics, the reader learns to make effective slides and design them to be pleasing. The author also explains Zen-like presentation fundamentals that teach the reader how to speak in ways that are engaging and ultimately captivating. Reynold’s message of simplification resounds and repeats throughout the book, across the several aspects of presentations that he covers. He provides real example slides that have won awards and been used by some of the world’s most effective presenters. 

Overall this book is one that I have used extensively to hone my public speaking skills. The lessons and examples and the overall text follow the same principles of simplicity and design that the author asks readers to apply to their presentations.