Test Your Presentation Design Skills: Quiz Results
Earlier this month, I released a short quiz on introductory presentation design skills. A lot of people took the quiz and the results were fascinating so I decided to do a blog post about how well people did.
The key takeaway: Most people's attitudes/values are in the right place, but a lot don't know how to actually implement that attitude correctly when it comes to creating an effective presentation.
As an effective presentation trainer, that doesn't surprise me at all. Good thing I just created a FREE training video series for you all.
Q: As the presenter, it is YOUR responsibility to make learning the information in your presentation EASY and FUN.
The options were:
True!
False!
How many people got this question correct? 98%
Correct answer: True!
Sweeeeet! Look at you, smart people!
Q: The facts (content) speaks for themselves. Extra emotion or design work is unnecessary.
The options were:
True!
False!
How many people got this question correct? 95.1%
Correct answer: False!
WHOO HOO! Well done, everybody! You at least have the right attitude when it comes to creating your presentation.
Q: Template designs are made by effective presentation trainers/experts who are also graphic designers.
The options were:
True!
False!
How many people got this question correct? 87.8%
Correct answer: False!
Nice job, folks!
Q: Template designs are actually the kiss of death for making awesome presentations because they're full of clutter and hold you back from thinking visually.
The options were:
True!
False!
How many people got this question correct? 84.7%
Correct answer: True!
Wow, I'm impressed with these results!
Q: Good slides make BAD HANDOUTS: you should never just print out your slides as the handout.
The options were:
True!
False!
How many people got this question correct? 84.2%
Correct answer: True!
Wow, nice job everyone :) I was shocked by this one, especially considering I've literally never been given a custom handout for a presentation and always just receive the slides as the handouts. Hmmmm ;) Is this a case of "we know what to do, but don't know how to do it?" Or maybe I just haven't been to your presentation?
Q: Which of the following typefaces should NOT be on your slides?
The options were:
sans serif typeface
serif typeface
lol what even is a typeface?
How many people got this question correct? 78.1%
Correct answer: serif typeface!
Want to know why? I explain why in the free training videos! :)
Q: Google images is the FASTEST way to find the best visuals for your slides.
The options were:
True!
False!
How many people got this question correct? 75%
Correct answer: False!
Seriously. If you're still using Google Images to find visuals for your slides, then (a) you're not finding good visuals that will resonate with people, and (b) you're wasting a TON of time. There is a better way!
Q: Which alignment should be used for SLIDE HEADINGS?
The options were:
Left alignment
Center alignment
Right alignment
How many people got this question correct? 73.2%
Correct answer: Left alignment!
Want to know why? I explain why in the free training videos! :)
Q: What is the SMALLEST font size you can use in your slides:
The options were:
20
30
40
50
How many people got this question correct (or guessed a higher font size than the minimum)? 70.4%
Correct answer: 30!
And to be perfectly honest...even 30 is actually really small. Before you @ me about this one, I explain this one IN DETAIL in one of the free training videos, which you can sign up for on this page.
Q: The best way to learn effective presentation storyboarding & design is by taking formal training.
The options were:
True!
False!
How many people got this question correct? 67.7%
Correct answer: True!
Yup. Effective presentation skills are just like other skills you've learned -- formal training is the best way to learn what to do, what not to do, and how/when to break the rules. Otherwise, you're just scrambling and following lots of bad advice (as demonstrated by these quiz results!)
Q: You should write out a SCRIPT for your presentation.
The options were:
True!
False!
How many people got this question correct? 62.5%
Correct answer: True!
Before you flip out and tweet @ me about this...YEs there is some nuance to this one. Sheesh, people :P
Whether you write a script or not depends on a bunch of things...But, I'm still willing to bet a month's worth of coffee that you're not writing scripts as often as you should be. That's right I SAID A MONTH!
And yes, I talk more about this nuance in one of the free training videos ;)
Q: You should use as FEW SLIDES as possible: preferably, just 1 slide per minute.
The options were:
True!
False!
How many people got this question correct? 60.6%
Correct answer: False!
Using as few slides as possible is TERRIBLE PRESENTATION ADVICE!!! Rawrrr! Exclamation points! CAPS!
If you believed this -- or still believe it -- then I hereby DEMAND that you sign up for my free training videos, omg. DO IT NOW. PLEASE!
Q: You do NOT need a visual on every slide.
The options were:
True!
False!
How many people got this question correct? 58.6%
Correct answer: True!
This one cracked me up! I expected most people to get this one correct but I'm guessing that when people got to this question, they were like "UGH. No, but I bet Echo is going to tell me that I do." Am I right? lol. So, hopefully people will be pleasantly surprised to learn that you do NOT need a visual on every slide to have an effective and engaging presentation. You can see me use well-designed, ALL TEXT SLIDES, in my free training videos ;)
Q: Yes, a LOT of text on slides is bad. BUT, sometimes there are legit reasons for it (e.g., lots of data).
The options were:
True!
False!
How many people got this question correct? 54.6%
Correct answer: False!
FASCINATING results because here's the harsh reality friends: this is something that can't co-exist with the whole "facts don't speak for themselves" question. If you allow yourself to have bad slide design (e.g., too much text) because you have "complicated or complex data" ... then you're assuming the facts will speak for themselves (which they don't).
Q: Bullet points are worthless and should be deleted from your slides.
The options were:
True!
False!
How many people got this question correct? 53.6%
Correct answer: True!
Whoa! Looks like this one is a real shocker for people. It's true though: Those little circles are worthless. And, you guessed it, you can learn more in my training videos!
Q: Animations should be AVOIDED as much as possible.
The options were:
True!
False!
How many people got this question correct? 34.3%
Correct answer: False!
Animations are actually awesome and you can use them as much as you want -- if you use them correctly.
Q: The best way to learn effective presentation storyboarding and design is by watching experts present.
The options were:
True!
False!
How many people got this question correct? 33.3%
Correct answer: False!
Whoa!! I'm shocked that this is such a pervasive idea. Let me ask you .... Can you learn how to conduct statistical analyses by watching someone do it? Can you learn how to interview people by watching others do it? Did you learn how to teach a class just by being a student?
Nope. Nope. and BIG NOPE. So what is it about effective communication that makes us feel like we can make an exception? That's rhetorical. I know the answer. I give the answer, and promptly tear it down, in my training videos.
Q: What is the BEST FONT SIZE you should use for your body text (regular content)?
The options were:
30
40
50
60
How many people got this question correct? 8.3%
Correct answer: 60!
I'm howling! More than 90% of people guessed a font size that was too small. Yessss of course this is also a little bit of "it depends" so -- again -- don't @ me. But again, if you're shocked by this and think that sounds "way too big" then you need to watch my free training videos to learn why it's actually not that big and the benefits of using large text in your presentations. And yes, I talk about the nuance when it comes to choosing font sizes, don't worry :)
