We have all been taught how to write. This skill is invaluable in professionally communicating our projects through business letters, proposals, and emails. For many people, this same education has not been extended into the visual realm and is evident in many Powerpoint presentations:

Fonts that are too small to read, colour combinations that strain the eyes, or slides with too much text. The purpose of this talk is to provide an understanding of the basics of visual communication so that your message will avoid these mistakes and be professional in all forms of communication.

For those of you who attended the seminar

Below are two files that you can download to review the basic design principles discussed during the presentation.

For beginners

  • Williams, R. [2008] The Non-Designer's Design Book
  • Your first design book
    This was my first design book and I think it should be yours too. By using easy to understand diagrams and plain language, this book offers a general understanding the descisions that go into the design process.

  • Butterick, B. [2010] typography for lawyers.com
  • Beginner typography
    Although this website is directed toward lawyers, it does a great job of covering some basics.

  • Tufte, E. [2005] The Cognitive Style of PowerPoint
  • A must for anyone who uses PowerPoint
    In this 36 page essay, Edward Tufte describes how PowerPoint has its own cognitive style, a style that has eroded all forms of visual langauge. Due to its ubiquitous presence in government, educational, and professional organizations, this cognitive style must be deconstructed and explicitly address its many shortcomings. Preview his essay at his website.

  • Tufte, E. [2001] The Visual Display of Quantitative Information
  • A must for anyone designing diagrams and tables
    This book has become a graphic design bible. Bringhurst, a typographer and poet from British Columbia, Canada, has published this excellent manual for explaining the finer points of typography. Although some aspects of it will overwhelm beginners, it has such a breadth of knowledge for the tradition and history of typographic practices.

For Intermediate to Life-long learners

  • Bringhurst, R. [1999] The Elements of Typographic Style
  • Intermediate > Life-long learner of typography
    This book has become a graphic design bible. Bringhurst, a typographer and poet from British Columbia, Canada, has published this excellent manual for explaining the finer points of typography. Although some aspects of it will overwhelm beginners, it has such a breadth of knowledge for the tradition and history of typographic practices that cannot be ignored.

  • Drew, J. and Meyer, S. [2005] Color Management
  • Intermediate > Life-long learner of colour
    This book has become a graphic design bible. Bringhurst, a typographer and poet from British Columbia, Canada, has published this excellent manual for explaining the finer points of typography. Although some aspects of it will overwhelm beginners, it has such a breadth of knowledge for the tradition and history of typographic practices.

  • Müller-Brockmann, J. [1981] Grid Systems in Graphic Design
  • Intermediate > Life-long learner of design
    This book has become a graphic design bible. Bringhurst, a typographer and poet from British Columbia, Canada, has published this excellent manual for explaining the finer points of typography. Although some aspects of it will overwhelm beginners, it has such a breadth of knowledge for the tradition and history of typographic practices.

  • Albers, J. [1963] Interaction of Color
  • Provides the basics of colour theory
    Giving an objective look at the biology and psychology of colour, Albers, an influential twentieth century designer and artist takes on colour like never before. With his straight-forward and logical breakdowns, colour becomes not just a subject of feeling but a subject of interaction, that goes beyond just mere appearances.

For those of you who attended the seminar

Below are two files that you can download to review the basic design principles discussed during the presentation.

Power corrupts, PowerPoint corrupts absolutely

It is sad that we still have to have this discussion, but only this kind of polemic arguement can swing the general malaise that has engulfed academia. Edward Tufte knows this to be true, he even told Wired about it. You learn why in Tufte's excellent essay, The cognitive style of PowerPoint.

  • Tufte, E. [2005] The Cognitive Style of PowerPoint

  • A must for anyone who uses PowerPoint
    In this 36 page essay, Edward Tufte describes how PowerPoint has its own cognitive style, a style that has eroded all forms of visual langauge. Due to its ubiquitous presence in government, educational, and professional organizations, this cognitive style must be deconstructed and explicitly address its many shortcomings. Preview his essay at his website.

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