What is Visual Aids

VISUAL AIDS

Visual Aids are any pictures, objects, art facts, flipcharts, transparencies or projections that you might show to your audience during the course of your talk. It is advised to consider using some kind of visual aid as part of your presentation if it is going to take more than 5 minutes. While it is thought that effective speaking does not require visual aids, a few well-placed they can add a significant amount of clarity and impact. More importantly they can also help your audience stay focussed and have great retention of information. But thinking that flashy visuals can save an otherwise poorly structured and delivered speech. You have to start with a well-developed speech before visual aids can have any major effect.

The purpose of visuals is to add variety to your talk and to illustrate and further clarify your point of view. In less you can provide more information. It is effective way of communication.

THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF VISUAL AIDS:

Static –

The pictures on posters must be large enough for your audience to see them. Slides and computer graphics must be clear and visible from distance. The black board drawing must be neatly made if not beautifully made. It is easier to prepare and use.

E.g., posters, overheads, slides, non-animated computer graphics, blackboard drawings that are prepared ahead of time.

Dynamics –

This visuals aids change in some way during presentations. E.g. video, audio, animated computer graphics, drawing and overheads that are modified during the presentation, actual objects.

Normally visual aids will hold an audience attention more but time consuming to prepare. Dynamic aids are very effective. We choose visual aids according to time, speaking environment and the time you will have to create and practice with them. Simple visual aid that is used well is much more effective than a complex one used poorly.