Design Principles: Choosing The Right Mode

In this fifth post in a new series, we take a look a closer look the fifth design principle, as researched by Prof RE Mayer, J Sweller et al.

This principle is to all about choosing the best mode for communicating your message. Generally speaking people prefer to listen to a well-illustrated presentation than read an explanation – even if both use similar illustrations.

Presentation slides should be used as a visual aid for the audience (and not the presenter's script). The audience will naturally attempt to read text-heavy slides - and if they're reading, they can't be listening.

There are occasions when text based slides can be used - a customer testimonial, for example. Having the audience read the testimonial themselves adds authenticity. The important point is to give people time to finish reading it.

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