What are the best ways to use images in group presentations?

1 Choose relevant images

The first step to using images in group presentations is to choose images that are relevant to your topic, purpose, and audience. Relevant images support your main message, illustrate your key points, and evoke the desired emotions. Avoid images that are irrelevant, distracting, or confusing. For example, if you are presenting about the benefits of meditation, you might use images of calm landscapes, people meditating, or brain scans. However, you should avoid images of unrelated topics, such as sports, animals, or food.

2 Use high-quality images

The second step to using images in group presentations is to use high-quality images that are clear, sharp, and professional. High-quality images enhance your credibility, convey your professionalism, and improve your visual appeal. Avoid images that are low-quality, pixelated, blurry, or distorted. For example, if you are presenting about the latest trends in web design, you might use images of well-designed websites, icons, or fonts. However, you should avoid images that are outdated, poorly designed, or hard to read.

3 Apply design principles

The third step to using images in group presentations is to apply design principles that make your images more effective and attractive. Design principles include contrast, alignment, repetition, and proximity. Contrast means using different colors, sizes, shapes, or textures to create visual interest and hierarchy. Alignment means arranging your images in a way that creates order and balance. Repetition means using consistent elements, such as colors, fonts, or styles, to create unity and coherence. Proximity means placing your images close to the text or elements that they relate to, to create connection and clarity.

4 Tell a story with images

The fourth step to using images in group presentations is to tell a story with images that capture your audience's attention, interest, and curiosity. Storytelling with images means using images that have a clear beginning, middle, and end, that show a problem and a solution, that demonstrate a change or a transformation, or that evoke a sense of wonder or surprise. For example, if you are presenting about the impact of climate change, you might use images that show the before and after effects of global warming, that illustrate the causes and consequences of environmental issues, or that inspire action and hope.

5 Use captions and labels

The fifth step to using images in group presentations is to use captions and labels that explain, describe, or comment on your images. Captions and labels help your audience understand the meaning and context of your images, especially if they are not self-explanatory or familiar. Captions and labels should be concise, accurate, and informative. Avoid captions and labels that are too long, vague, or irrelevant. For example, if you are presenting about the history of photography, you might use captions and labels that indicate the name, date, and location of the photos, or that highlight the significance or innovation of the technique or style.

6 Make your images accessible

The sixth step to using images in group presentations is to make your images accessible to all your audience members, regardless of their abilities or preferences. Accessibility means ensuring that your images are visible, audible, and understandable to everyone, including people who have visual, hearing, or cognitive impairments. To make your images accessible, you should use high-contrast colors, large fonts, simple shapes, and clear symbols. You should also provide alternative text, audio descriptions, or transcripts for your images, in case your audience cannot see or hear them.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?