Structuring your Presentation

Samantha Starmer sstarme@rei.com @samanthastarmer

http://www.flickr.com/photos/saroy/3455464539

meexperience, web stuff: Amazon, Microsoft

REI – Recreational Equipment, Inc. lead design, IA & experience teams

teach at University of Washington

from

to

how?

4 key principles1. start with you2. learn the environment3. build the bones4. leave time to adjust

1. start with you

1. start with you

• what is the ONE thing?• think about the story• what is your style?• are you scared?

what is the ONE thing?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14617207@N00/4872111479

what is the ONE thing?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14617207@N00/4872111479

• why are you speaking?• what is your point?• what is the ONE thing

you want your audience to remember?

think about the story

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sugarpond/3016905349

think about the story

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sugarpond/3016905349

• beginning, middle and end (make sure there is an end)

• all points to your ONE thing

• how would you tell it to your grandma? to a child?

what is your style?

http://

what is your style?

• formal or informal? • deep details or

inspirational? • don’t try to be funny if it

isn’t natural• get feedback. lots of it.

are you scared?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mindaugasdanys/3766009204/

are you scared?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14617207@N00/4872111479

• the more nervous you are, the more structure you need

• unless you are a very skilled improviser

• in which case, you probably wouldn’t be in this class

2. learn the environment http://www.flickr.com/photos/brue/4806532954

2. learn the environment

• scout the space• know your audience• build to your time limit• understand expectations

scout the space

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikecogh/4157191493

scout the space

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikecogh/4157191493

• ideal is to get on stage in advance, but learn what you can

• note placement of lights, screens, podium

• size and ‘feel’ of room should impact your structure

know your audience

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36714668@N02/4598065240

know your audience

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14617207@N00/4872111479

• size, level of expertise• what do they want from

you?• voluntary or hostage?• bored or interested?• friendly or combative?

build to your time limit

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wwarby/3297205226

build to your time limit

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wwarby/3297205226

• focus your topic on the time limit

• focus your scope & detail on the time limit

• the less time to prepare, the more structure you need

• experience will improve your gut sense

understand expectations

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kristin-and-adam/2778203028

understand expectations

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kristin-and-adam/2778203028

• do they expect results? or is the journey more relevant?

• technical or high level?• what kind of

assets/deliverables?

3. build the boneshttp://www.flickr.com/photos/ianturton/9555513

3. build the bones

• free your mind• remember the story• just jump in• make it FUN!

free your mind

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PhrenologyPix.jpg

free your mind

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PhrenologyPix.jpg

• don’t constrain too early• use your creative juice

makers• let it percolate• be willing to throw out

initial ideas • which means you need

twice the planning time you expect

just jump in

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ccheviron/3603397114

just jump in

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ccheviron/3603397114

• don’t be afraid to scribble

• paper prototype, but only if it works for you

• get into the tool as soon as you have the guts (of the structure, but also the nerve)

remember the story

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sugarpond/3016905349

remember the story

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sugarpond/3016905349

• ah, there is a point to all this

• keep the narrative (linear or not) as your north star

• throw out anything extraneous to the story

• no matter how cool

make it FUN!

make it FUN!• you should enjoy

building the story• you should enjoy

creating the structure• you will feel a quiet ping

when it starts to come together

4. leave time to adjust http://www.flickr.com/photos/clintjcl/4001170877

4. leave time to adjust

• lift your head out of the trees

• remember the ONE thing• practice time is critical• minimum formula: 70%,

25%, 5%

lift your head out of the trees

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mountjoy/5194910368

lift your head out of the trees

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mountjoy/5194910368

• check the whole arc regularly

• don’t get too hung up on the exact words or pictures

• the whole is greater than the sum of the parts

remember the ONE thing

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14617207@N00/4872111479

remember the ONE thing

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14617207@N00/4872111479

• when you think you have it, go back to the beginning

• is the ONE thing clear?• is your narrative intact?• does it flow? can you

easily remember your points?

dress rehearsal is critical

http://www.flickr.com/photos/evilpeacock/2194032579

dress rehearsal is critical

http://www.flickr.com/photos/evilpeacock/2194032579

• rehearse more than you want to

• rehearse out loud• rehearse in presentation

mode• rehearse with a timer• then CUT (if you have built

the structure right, you should have too much vs. too little)

minimum formula

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joao_trindade/4362414729

minimum formula

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joao_trindade/4362414729

• take the time allotted • multiply by 5 for the number

of minimum dress rehearal minutes

• multiply by 14 for the minimum number of building (in tool) minutes

• e.g. 20 minutes = 100 minutes rehearsing ~4 ½ hours buildinguntold weeks stressing

http://www.flickr.com/photos/saroy/3455464539

structure is key

1. start with you

• what is the ONE thing?• what is the story• what is your style?• are you scared?

2. learn the environment

• scout the space• know your audience• build to your time limit• understand expectations

3. build the bones

• free your mind• remember the story• just jump in• make it FUN!

4. leave time to adjust

• lift your head out of the trees

• remember the ONE thing• dress rehearsal is critical• minimum formula: 70%,

25%, 5%

http://www.flickr.com/photos/baking_in_pearls/3960662314

thank you!!

Samantha Starmer sstarme@rei.com @samanthastarmer