Tell great stories about your design work.

Contents

1. Introduction: Death by Screens

• This book: how it can help you
• Why stories work: people are hard-wired to pay attention to them

2. First steps: prepare early to save time later

• Know your stakeholders: map your audience’s concerns and expertise
• Choose your setting: take control of where, when, and how you present
• Send the invite: attract constructive input by managing expectations
• Start with structure: work on the slides later

3. Structure Part I: set the scene

• Introductions and welcome: set yourself up as the host
• The whys: why this work, why now, and why this meeting
• The attention-grabber: use a surprising quote, quiz, or story to engage your audience
• Principles: explain how you approached the design
• Share your insights: show what you learned, not your process

4. Structure Part II: show the design through a story

• Warnings and caveats: avoid nasty surprises
• Frame the feedback: explain what’s useful and what’s not
• The scenario: describe who is using the design and why
• The story: show your hero using the design
• Outcomes: give your story a happy ending for the user and the organisation
• Discussion: questions, comments, and answers
• Close the meeting: make the next steps explicit

5. Writing: sharpen your rationale with well-crafted words

• Transcribe it: get a first draft fast
• Edit: use tools to make your words clear and concise
• Headlines: refine to make them memorable
• Use the Goldilocks Zone of detail: not too much, not too little
• Repetition: drive your main points home with consistent wording
• Kill your darlings: focus on the essentials by editing ruthlessly

6. Slides: design for listening, not reading

• Minimise words on screen to keep people listening
• Reveal content bit-by-bit so your audience doesn’t jump ahead
• Include sections so they know where they are
• Use variety to alleviate boredom
• Leave space for detail following the presentation

7. Rehearse: Improve your performance with feedback

• Find your style: confident delivery comes in many flavours
• Record yourself: find out what to improve by recording a rehearsal
• Self-assess the basics: speed, volume, rhythm, and expression
• Get feedback: use peers to help you find problems you cannot see
• Physical confidence: use your face and body to engage the audience

8. Prepare: manage the details with care

• Polish the presentation: minimise distraction
• The room: set it up for the best audience experience
• Remote presentations: setup like a broadcaster
• Disasters: plan contingencies for worst-case scenarios
• Don’t go it alone: designate a moderator, note-taker, and timekeeper

9. Discussion: translate unclear feedback into useful critique

• The 6Ds of design discussion: Deference, Detail, Determine, Delay, Document, and Delegate
• Discuss outcomes: focus on the ‘why’ of the work
• Inclusive discussion: get the most from everyone’s input
• After the meeting: follow up with your stakeholders

10. Resilience: managing yourself and your feelings

• Prepare and practice: the best way to reduce anxiety
• Expect the unexpected: adapt when problems arise
• Self-awareness: reframe your negative thoughts
• Visualise: mentally rehearse the performance
• Ground yourself: use mindful breathing

Final thoughts

Useful extras

• The task checklist
• Reduce communication debt: use recorded presentations and huddles
• Culture-fit: tailor the presentation to suit the organisation