Guide to

Effective Displays

Three basic steps to planning a successful display:

Before you begin, you must..

1. Know your target audience

2. Know the purpose of your display

3. Plan to attract/involve your audience

1. Know your audience:

Ask yourself:

Who are the people who will see our display?

How can we attract and hold their attention?

Will our display stimulate “mental” participation?

2. Know your purpose:

You must display your group’s central idea

Everything else is optional…the MAIN central

idea, concepts, lines of inquiry etc.

What is the message you want to share with

your audience?

3. Arouse interest

Make your display “hands-on” if appropriate

Use visuals, perform demonstrations

Quiz your audience to find out their prior

knowledge about your area of focus

How do you get their attention?

Cater to your audience

For adults – put content relevant to them at their eye level

(facts, graphs, statistics etc.)

Put visuals lower for younger students to grab their attention(comics, interesting photos)

Arouse interest

Encourage all types of participation

“The impact of your display will be strengthened

if your audience feels part of it.”

Create 3D displays if relevant

Make a statement

Stimulate thought with visuals

Use images to tell a story (life before the Industrial Revolution?)

Which poster explains Jack’s dog the best?

Jack’s DogJack has a dog.His dog’s name is Petey.Petey is a pug.

Avoid images for decoration & using a lot of text

This poster is more to the point

Use interesting display materialsto make a point

Use authentic display items

Evoke a feeling or mood with colour

THINK: The Principles of Design

BalanceUnityRhythm/RepetitionEmphasisContrast

Think BALANCE

Think UNITY

Think REPETITION

Think EMPHASIS

Think CONTRAST

Create flow…

• Help the audience know the direction of your display

• What do you want them to see first?

• Where do they go from there?

Use arrows to direct your audience

Lettering Use upper case letters for short titles

Lower case for longer texts

Choose one main font and one for headings

Headings must be read from 8’ away

Text from 3’ away Just key points!

NO!

NO notes on display

Can you read this?

Can you read this?

Can you read this?

Can you read this?

Can you read this?

Can you read this?

Can you read this?

Can you read this?

Can you read this?

Can you read this?

Can you read this?

Can you read this?

Can you read this?

Can you read this?

Can you read this?

Can you read this?

Can you read this?

Can you read this?

Font style must match the display

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Headings must be seen over a crowd

Mounting your visuals

Photos must be clear and not distorted

Use a paper cutter and keep work clean

Borders must be the same width all around

Display visuals at different levels and NOT on angles!

Journals displayed on stands

Computer use.. Is it necessary? Is it engaging? Keep videos to 3 minutes max. Show original work only!

Think Safety

Special display items must be secure

Do not block other students’ booths

Keep walkways clear

Let your teacher know by this Wednesday if

you have special requirements e.g. outlets

Display considerations

Display must fit the space

Make a list of what you need and start

collecting items now

Make a sketch of your display booth in

your journals and have a detailed plan

ready for set up

Refer to the Presentation of Findings

rubric

BOOTH Dimensions

?

?

?

HEIGHT = ?

Booth on the 8th floor for planning your display

LLAC Lobby

Setting up time…. be ready!

Have everything ready by

1 June! Remember – a great display is nothing without

you being knowledgeable about your focus area

No reading from notes – you must know ALL

your group’s information so that you are the

EXPERT!

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GOOD LUCK!!!