Flip charts as visual enhancers

Presentations enhanced with effective visual support are usually better than presentations given without visual enhancers. But no one says you have to use PowerPoint or Keynote or any other form of digital multimedia for that matter. Before there were projectors and computers — even before there were overhead projectors (remember those?) — there were flip charts and large pads for presenting your ideas in visual form to your audience. While I spend most of my time working with people who are using multimedia and new media, I actually am a big fan of the ol’ “large pad and marking pens."

Advantages of the large pad
I really like the idea of "getting off the grid," stepping away from the computer and “going analog” in the preparation stage of the presentation process. Large sheets of paper and marking pens — as “old school” as they may seem — can be wonderful, simple tools for presenting your ideas or recording the ideas of others. When I was at Apple, I used to lead brainstorming sessions by sticking large “Post-its” on the wall. I wrote the ideas down or others would step up and sketch out their ideas the old fashioned way while arguing their point or elaborating on ideas by others. It was messy, but it was a good mess. By the end of the session the walls would be filled with these large “Post-its” which I then took back to my office and stuck on my own walls. As I (and others) developed the structure and visuals for the future presentation, we often referred to the myriad sheets on the walls which were on display for days, weeks, and months. I know many people plan their presentations right from the start using software tools, but I don’t recommend it. There’s just something about paper and pen and sketching out rough ideas in the “analog world” in the early stages that seems to lead to more clarity and better, more creative results when we finally get down to representing our ideas digitally.

Large pads for live presentations?
During my training as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the ’80s, flip charts and marking pens were ubiquitous teaching aids. A great advantage of these tools, of course, is that they require no electricity. This was a powerful advantage since there often was no electricity. But for live presentations in modern offices and schools today, is there still a place for flip charts and marking pens? Absolutely there is. And since slide presentations — especially poor ones — are common place, keeping the lights on and using only paper and pen for your visuals may be a much appreciated differentiator. Below are two on-stage presentations by comedian Demetri Martin who uses flip charts (“large pads”) to visually enhance his messages. These clips are a good follow up to the last post on PowerPoint humor; I guess you can call these "flip chart humor." Enjoy.

Demetri Martin uses flip chart to display "findings"

Below: Just for kicks, I took two of Martin's crude "large pad" visuals and put them in the form of Keynote slides, which are equally crude in their own way. (Click for larger view.)

 
LEFT: Pie chart about procrastination. RIGHT: Ability to draw mountains over time.

Demetri Martin: Material Enhancers

Tips (etc.) on using flip charts
Here are a few links where you can learn more about the art of presenting with flip charts.
• Using flip charts (an entire website on flip charts)
• 11 tips for using flip charts more effectively from 3M
• Make the Most of Flip Charts (3M site)
• Flip Charts: Low Tech Powerhouses (from LLRX.com)
• Post-it Meeting Charts (product info from 3M)
• 10 Tips On Using Flip Charts And Whiteboards
• Cool flip chart easel
• Libby trial jury quibbles over flip-chart paper (CNN)

Books on using flip charts or Post-its
•  Flip Charts: How to Draw Them and How to Use Them
•  Post-It Ideas That Stick! 222 Ingenious, Creative, Practical and Simply Preposterous Ways of Using Post-It Notes
•  Rapid Problem Solving with Post-It Notes
•  The Big Book of Flip Charts
•  Flip Chart Magic!

Comments

[Kevin]

You should check out the UPS Whiteboard ads for the same idea:

http://www.slate.com/id/2164266/

[jeff Decker]

I'm glad that we live in a multimedia world so that I can see a movie from the internet about using ... flip charts. Without the two movies, I would not have been convinced. It was close, but I wasn't there. After seeing those movies, I am totally convinced. I especially appreciated his timing, such as starting the joke before flipping the page, or allowing the page to do the talking for him.

My favorite "slide" was the second-chance grapes. One grape was labelled as an opportunity. I really liked that.

Thanks for posting.

[Jamin]

Why stop at paper? Objects are a great aid to presentations. Use props! Using physical things means you can have all sorts of fun and communicate even more meaning. For example, move things around stage, turn them upside down. Anyone seen the 'big rocks put in the jar' story (from Covey) performed with real rocks and sand. Even more impactful.

[Shane Lydon]

I see you picked up on Rowan Manahan's thoughts on this. Isn't Demetri great?

[Ken Burgin]

I saw the 'digital version' of flipcharts recently when a presenter used a Wacom tablet and pen to do everything that could be done on paper - but using Photoshop Elements. Then saved them and made a rotating screen display for later - awesome.

Hard to do? Not really, just needs practice, physical dexterity and knowledge of the programme.

Keep up the great work...

Ken
Restaurant & Hotel Training Resources
http://www.profitablehospitality.com/public/department30.cfm

[Stefan]

My favorites in using flipcharts:

- i can develop extra visuals live - on the fly - if some new aspect comes into discussion

- the booting time :)

Ken, thanks for the idea

[Lisa Braithwaite]

The self-stick table top charts are the best. Portable, of course, and entertaining - I find that people are unbelievably delighted with the giant post-its when I pull them off the pad and stick them to the wall. It's a flip chart AND a prop in one!

Even in a presentation where technology is mandatory (there are some conferences, for example, that require speakers to use PowerPoint), flip charts have their place - where else am I going to record audience responses to come back to later?

[Ellen Weber]

I liked the way you used illustrations from spatial or visual intelligence to draw more from readers. We have at least 8 intelligences according to Howard gardner, but most of us draw from one or two at the most. You expanded that in great ways in your post - thanks! Great discussion too.

[John]

One great feature I will use in the future was Demetri Martin's use of folding the corner of every page to help seperate the pages. Genuis have been making flip charts for years and never thought of it.
Plus a wonderful post. Flip charts are so under utilized in the digital world.

[Ainsley Ward]

Thanks for this, it vindicates the methods that I've been using for a while - I've already forwarded the link to some of my doubters!

For the post-it brainstorm, I like to take a photo with my camera phone at the end of the meeting - it allows you to keep a physical record of the pattern in which ideas have been laid out, which can often have a bearing on the next steps in the creative process. I can also then attach it to the meeting minutes as a reminder to the participants.

[Kok Ying ZHAO]

nice post, comments even make it greater :)

Actually,I think there are another advantage for large pads,if you do some of the writings during presentation.-----It helps us to TAKE A BREAK

Audience don't absorb in no time.
Pause(for example while writing), give them a break to expand what they learn. And for presenter to avoid losing track with audiences' thinking

[Martha]

I use flip charts because I generally lecture in low-tech environments--like animal shelters. I think if I used Powerpoints, it would scare the dogs and cats.

[Thomas]

see http://photo2text.com/

[Stephane Lagrange]

Hi Garr, thank you for linking us with "Cool Flip Chart Easel" in your links. We appreciate that you find the Best Flip Chart really cool and we thank you for as a consequence contributing to the awareness of this cool presentation device :)
Cheers, Stephane Lagrange - Director of Business Development
http://www.thebestflipchart.com

[Peter]

Have you seen the new money saving flip chart technology at http://www.MagicFlipChart.co.uk