1 00:00:03,880 --> 00:00:04,900 As color is subjective, 2 00:00:05,620 --> 00:00:07,720 we need good reasons for our choices. 3 00:00:08,040 --> 00:00:13,280 In this lesson, I'll discuss my approach and create a presentation that includes language 4 00:00:13,280 --> 00:00:17,060 that helps to move the reaction from emotional to rational. 5 00:00:18,160 --> 00:00:20,500 I've been a designer for over 35 years, 6 00:00:20,700 --> 00:00:22,720 and I still worry about presentations. 7 00:00:23,860 --> 00:00:26,460 Will it work or go very, very badly? 8 00:00:26,880 --> 00:00:26,980 I 9 00:00:27,616 --> 00:00:28,120 shouldn't. 10 00:00:28,640 --> 00:00:29,220 I usually go well, 11 00:00:29,240 --> 00:00:31,120 and I enjoy collaborating with people. 12 00:00:31,320 --> 00:00:31,420 But 13 00:00:32,480 --> 00:00:34,860 throw in everyone's subjective sense of color, 14 00:00:35,000 --> 00:00:39,980 and presentations can either stay on track or suddenly go off the rails. 15 00:00:41,360 --> 00:00:43,300 I'm on the other side, as an educator. 16 00:00:44,140 --> 00:00:46,940 I know now that 99% of designers 17 00:00:47,520 --> 00:00:48,620 get nervous presenting. 18 00:00:50,700 --> 00:00:52,020 Now, you may be thinking, well, 19 00:00:52,820 --> 00:00:54,420 clients will never doubt Sean, 20 00:00:54,620 --> 00:00:55,720 but what about me? 21 00:00:56,020 --> 00:00:56,940 Don't worry. 22 00:00:57,080 --> 00:00:57,180 I 23 00:00:58,048 --> 00:01:00,540 get that blank look from clients too sometimes. 24 00:01:00,840 --> 00:01:03,180 Although the grayer my hair became, 25 00:01:03,360 --> 00:01:05,100 the more clients seem to trust me. 26 00:01:07,552 --> 00:01:09,300 Okay, first off, you don't need gray hair. 27 00:01:09,480 --> 00:01:10,600 You need confidence. 28 00:01:11,780 --> 00:01:12,800 You know what you're doing. 29 00:01:12,920 --> 00:01:17,260 You're probably the most expert person in the room with design and communication. 30 00:01:18,496 --> 00:01:19,200 Like a good doctor, 31 00:01:19,360 --> 00:01:20,300 you know your stuff, 32 00:01:20,740 --> 00:01:22,820 but are always willing to listen to the patient. 33 00:01:24,832 --> 00:01:28,020 Let's walk through my presentation for the Sundance Film Festival. 34 00:01:28,360 --> 00:01:28,460 I 35 00:01:29,792 --> 00:01:31,900 create my presentation in Keynote, 36 00:01:31,960 --> 00:01:33,160 or you could use PowerPoint, 37 00:01:33,560 --> 00:01:36,980 and I share this in person or now on Zoom. 38 00:01:37,740 --> 00:01:41,200 I also make a printout for people to follow, 39 00:01:41,280 --> 00:01:42,660 and I leave this behind. 40 00:01:44,070 --> 00:01:49,400 I have a standard template that I use for presentations with a consistent grid, 41 00:01:49,640 --> 00:01:51,420 typography, and colors. 42 00:01:51,600 --> 00:01:51,904 This 43 00:01:52,768 --> 00:01:58,500 creates a consistent look for all my presentations and has a unified look for my identity. 44 00:02:00,900 --> 00:02:03,860 It's important that the document explains itself, 45 00:02:04,140 --> 00:02:11,520 as these presentations tend to be passed along to people who may know nothing of the project and have odd opinions. 46 00:02:12,736 --> 00:02:14,780 Start by restating the project. 47 00:02:15,136 --> 00:02:15,236 This 48 00:02:15,968 --> 00:02:18,980 reminds the viewer what they are looking at and why. 49 00:02:20,340 --> 00:02:21,200 So many times, 50 00:02:21,600 --> 00:02:24,020 somebody has said, I didn't know we were doing that. 51 00:02:25,620 --> 00:02:28,640 Then I explain, as plainly as possible, who, 52 00:02:29,200 --> 00:02:30,020 how, and what. 53 00:02:30,480 --> 00:02:38,180 I've never been one for fancy market-ease language or trying to make things complex and overly intellectual. 54 00:02:38,820 --> 00:02:41,720 You did the research. 55 00:02:42,020 --> 00:02:43,920 You don't need to cite every source. 56 00:02:44,260 --> 00:02:45,980 This is the broad overview. 57 00:02:46,480 --> 00:02:46,580 If 58 00:02:47,168 --> 00:02:51,160 need be, you can add all the detailed information in another document. 59 00:02:52,448 --> 00:02:54,620 Rely on diagrams more than text. 60 00:02:54,880 --> 00:02:55,008 Keep 61 00:02:55,520 --> 00:02:56,620 them simple and clear. 62 00:02:57,680 --> 00:03:00,940 People respond to visuals better than numbers and words. 63 00:03:01,740 --> 00:03:06,280 Each page isn't meant to be read or have all the information. 64 00:03:06,820 --> 00:03:09,088 They are a prompt for you to explain. 65 00:03:09,820 --> 00:03:18,780 Here, I remind them about all the points of contact to reinforce that this is a larger project than just one poster or a catalog. 66 00:03:21,920 --> 00:03:27,560 Next, I want to get everyone on the same page with a message before showing any visuals. 67 00:03:28,020 --> 00:03:28,120 I 68 00:03:28,860 --> 00:03:32,420 explain the idea of the Sundance Film Festival from the research. 69 00:03:33,520 --> 00:03:35,220 It's more than just a week of movies. 70 00:03:35,900 --> 00:03:40,680 This statement helped everyone besides Robert Redford and Samantha Fleming, 71 00:03:40,780 --> 00:03:41,888 the chief creative, to 72 00:03:42,432 --> 00:03:47,760 understand the message that needs to be communicated rather than their own personal idea. 73 00:03:48,080 --> 00:03:48,180 I 74 00:03:50,176 --> 00:03:51,392 present the unique qualities 75 00:03:51,600 --> 00:03:54,840 and the quality of the festival or any project you might be working on. 76 00:03:54,920 --> 00:03:58,080 This is the one thing that nobody else can claim. 77 00:03:58,640 --> 00:04:01,300 Back it up with an image. 78 00:04:02,160 --> 00:04:02,720 Prove the idea. 79 00:04:03,960 --> 00:04:05,820 People typically believe what they see. 80 00:04:06,200 --> 00:04:06,300 Again, 81 00:04:07,060 --> 00:04:10,880 this isn't a book report about the festival with lots of bullet point. 82 00:04:11,100 --> 00:04:12,180 It's a presentation. 83 00:04:12,920 --> 00:04:13,024 Make 84 00:04:14,016 --> 00:04:14,720 it dramatic. 85 00:04:15,420 --> 00:04:15,552 List 86 00:04:16,832 --> 00:04:20,180 the attributes that have previously been discussed and approved. 87 00:04:20,500 --> 00:04:20,736 This 88 00:04:21,260 --> 00:04:24,300 is also in the service of reinforcing the message. 89 00:04:24,660 --> 00:04:24,832 Later, 90 00:04:25,600 --> 00:04:28,160 when someone says, I don't know about the solution, 91 00:04:28,580 --> 00:04:30,160 you can refer to this list. 92 00:04:30,360 --> 00:04:31,940 What points are we missing? 93 00:04:32,120 --> 00:04:33,960 Rather than, do you like it? 94 00:04:34,680 --> 00:04:42,560 I've also presented each attribute by itself and explained it to reinforce the message if needed. 95 00:04:43,040 --> 00:04:43,140 Now 96 00:04:44,544 --> 00:04:47,100 that I've covered the Sundance Brand Festival information, 97 00:04:47,620 --> 00:04:49,360 I can present the concept. 98 00:04:49,720 --> 00:04:49,888 This 99 00:04:50,848 --> 00:04:51,580 page is a break 100 00:04:51,600 --> 00:04:52,780 between the two sections. 101 00:04:53,060 --> 00:04:58,040 It resets the thinking so the viewers know it's time to look at something new. 102 00:04:58,440 --> 00:04:58,560 I 103 00:05:00,032 --> 00:05:03,120 introduce the concept before showing any visuals. 104 00:05:03,660 --> 00:05:03,760 Again, 105 00:05:05,260 --> 00:05:08,100 use visual examples to explain your idea, 106 00:05:08,360 --> 00:05:10,600 like these cave paintings and 107 00:05:11,140 --> 00:05:13,020 man's impulse to tell stories. 108 00:05:13,480 --> 00:05:13,696 Use 109 00:05:14,624 --> 00:05:15,420 the whole screen. 110 00:05:15,720 --> 00:05:20,680 I've seen too many presentations with little images and a page of text. 111 00:05:21,600 --> 00:05:21,700 Here, 112 00:05:22,016 --> 00:05:25,580 I walk the group through the concept and prep them for the visuals. 113 00:05:26,120 --> 00:05:26,220 Robert 114 00:05:26,976 --> 00:05:31,800 Redford and Paul Newman in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid film as storytelling. 115 00:05:32,640 --> 00:05:32,832 So, 116 00:05:34,688 --> 00:05:39,020 digging in, I remind them about the stories we decided to explore. 117 00:05:39,620 --> 00:05:39,720 We 118 00:05:41,640 --> 00:05:45,180 can recast them with our own actors rather than literal illustrations. 119 00:05:45,760 --> 00:05:50,520 They become symbols and we stop wondering who someone is like a photograph. 120 00:05:51,600 --> 00:05:51,700 Then 121 00:05:52,360 --> 00:05:53,180 we get to color, 122 00:05:53,300 --> 00:05:56,460 when everyone in their extended family has an opinion. 123 00:05:57,040 --> 00:05:58,120 Sell it with proof. 124 00:05:58,360 --> 00:06:01,340 Give them something dynamic and seductive, 125 00:06:01,360 --> 00:06:05,600 like this beautiful Albert Bierstadt painting of an American West. 126 00:06:05,980 --> 00:06:06,240 Everyone 127 00:06:06,860 --> 00:06:08,180 is typically looking at a screen. 128 00:06:08,540 --> 00:06:10,400 Give them something cinematic. 129 00:06:10,480 --> 00:06:11,264 This 130 00:06:11,776 --> 00:06:14,620 introduces the palette and the logic behind it. 131 00:06:14,860 --> 00:06:15,200 It 132 00:06:15,720 --> 00:06:18,080 shows how the palette relates to the imagery, 133 00:06:18,500 --> 00:06:18,880 object, 134 00:06:19,200 --> 00:06:21,080 and places of the subject. 135 00:06:21,664 --> 00:06:21,764 It's 136 00:06:22,280 --> 00:06:24,240 not arbitrary and purely subjective. 137 00:06:24,720 --> 00:06:25,088 You 138 00:06:25,792 --> 00:06:28,560 chose these colors to reinforce the communication. 139 00:06:29,260 --> 00:06:29,408 The 140 00:06:30,620 --> 00:06:32,032 viewers are probably not designers, 141 00:06:32,340 --> 00:06:34,540 so a palette with CMYK, 142 00:06:34,680 --> 00:06:37,080 RGB, and PMS is too technical. 143 00:06:37,420 --> 00:06:37,696 Here, 144 00:06:38,368 --> 00:06:40,380 I give them the palette full screen. 145 00:06:40,880 --> 00:06:41,120 I 146 00:06:42,700 --> 00:06:45,360 don't want to drag everyone through the entire process, 147 00:06:45,460 --> 00:06:46,960 as most don't really care, 148 00:06:47,200 --> 00:06:50,160 but I want to show that there was exploration. 149 00:06:51,620 --> 00:06:52,420 It helps when someone says, 150 00:06:52,520 --> 00:06:53,920 uh, did you try? 151 00:06:54,320 --> 00:06:54,752 Seeing 152 00:06:55,280 --> 00:06:59,580 some color studies reinforces your choices when you show the final version. 153 00:07:00,240 --> 00:07:02,340 Show some of the process. 154 00:07:02,860 --> 00:07:03,040 More 155 00:07:03,720 --> 00:07:04,840 to show that you did it, 156 00:07:04,940 --> 00:07:06,340 not to explain every step, 157 00:07:06,380 --> 00:07:08,560 which is kind of boring if it goes on too long. 158 00:07:08,800 --> 00:07:10,800 You can see I did some sketches, 159 00:07:10,980 --> 00:07:13,440 and we tested color on screen and on printing. 160 00:07:14,060 --> 00:07:14,400 At 161 00:07:15,700 --> 00:07:21,820 this point, I explain how the forms communicate the attributes and messages we already saw and approved. 162 00:07:22,176 --> 00:07:27,080 For example, the William Tell story relates to filmmaking with precision, 163 00:07:27,400 --> 00:07:27,720 faith, 164 00:07:28,128 --> 00:07:28,540 and courage. 165 00:07:28,980 --> 00:07:36,840 The colors speak to the Western idea of Sundance and introduce the deep jewel tone of sapphire and a rich red. 166 00:07:37,260 --> 00:07:37,536 This 167 00:07:39,080 --> 00:07:40,340 is the part when words matter. 168 00:07:40,680 --> 00:07:40,928 Brown 169 00:07:41,568 --> 00:07:42,420 is not brown. 170 00:07:42,740 --> 00:07:45,500 It's the color of the earth in the Utah mountains. 171 00:07:45,880 --> 00:07:46,272 Blue 172 00:07:47,008 --> 00:07:47,360 isn't blue. 173 00:07:47,720 --> 00:07:48,192 It's 174 00:07:48,704 --> 00:07:51,860 sapphire, or the color of a high-altitude sky. 175 00:07:52,064 --> 00:07:52,480 You're 176 00:07:53,200 --> 00:07:54,320 not tricking anyone. 177 00:07:54,680 --> 00:07:57,380 You're giving them references they understand. 178 00:07:57,980 --> 00:07:58,144 I 179 00:07:59,700 --> 00:08:02,480 walk through the limited edition poster in the same way. 180 00:08:03,060 --> 00:08:03,160 Adam 181 00:08:03,840 --> 00:08:06,620 and Eve here are metaphors for temptation, 182 00:08:07,080 --> 00:08:10,380 forbidden knowledge, and the struggle beyond innocence. 183 00:08:11,000 --> 00:08:11,200 Paper 184 00:08:12,300 --> 00:08:17,140 choices matter here, and silkscreen printing communicates the handmade and the individual. 185 00:08:17,540 --> 00:08:17,920 I 186 00:08:19,660 --> 00:08:21,440 can now introduce the other 187 00:08:21,600 --> 00:08:24,700 myths and stories on things like the stationary system. 188 00:08:25,260 --> 00:08:25,504 The 189 00:08:26,340 --> 00:08:29,760 rest of the materials flesh out the concept, palette, and visuals. 190 00:08:30,300 --> 00:08:35,620 I show these as a family to underscore that the palette works across many items. 191 00:08:36,140 --> 00:08:36,512 After 192 00:08:37,300 --> 00:08:39,260 seeing the large range of applications, 193 00:08:39,720 --> 00:08:42,940 you've proven that the system works in all media. 194 00:08:43,500 --> 00:08:43,776 Explain 195 00:08:45,472 --> 00:08:47,080 some of the materials with more detail. 196 00:08:47,400 --> 00:08:50,500 The film guide booklet uses the Trojan horse. 197 00:08:51,600 --> 00:08:59,860 The dates are simple shapes that ask the viewer to do some work and identify the story and what is happening in the narrative in their head. 198 00:09:00,160 --> 00:09:00,576 The 199 00:09:01,920 --> 00:09:05,060 concept works with environmental graphics also. 200 00:09:05,420 --> 00:09:05,888 And, 201 00:09:06,656 --> 00:09:08,200 if needed, I'd show merchandise. 202 00:09:08,860 --> 00:09:09,312 The 203 00:09:10,420 --> 00:09:15,360 colors translate on screen in both projected form and the website. 204 00:09:15,760 --> 00:09:16,288 These 205 00:09:17,180 --> 00:09:21,520 examples are evidence that the concept and execution are strong enough 206 00:09:21,600 --> 00:09:23,600 to be adapted to any media. 207 00:09:23,920 --> 00:09:24,384 The 208 00:09:25,100 --> 00:09:26,920 awards happen at the end of the festival, 209 00:09:27,140 --> 00:09:29,880 so this is the last application I showed. 210 00:09:30,340 --> 00:09:30,656 I 211 00:09:31,720 --> 00:09:35,620 like to end a presentation with a quote or comment that backs up the concept. 212 00:09:36,120 --> 00:09:37,620 Coming from someone else, 213 00:09:37,720 --> 00:09:40,160 a quote gives more relevance to the idea. 214 00:09:40,720 --> 00:09:41,024 Wrap 215 00:09:41,840 --> 00:09:44,660 it up and ask for any comments or questions. 216 00:09:45,200 --> 00:09:45,600 Now, 217 00:09:46,640 --> 00:09:51,000 here are a few tips for the conversation after that have worked for me. 218 00:09:51,600 --> 00:09:51,840 First, 219 00:09:53,240 --> 00:09:55,680 the answer is never, ever, no, 220 00:09:56,000 --> 00:09:57,560 or that won't work. 221 00:09:57,740 --> 00:09:58,336 Every 222 00:09:58,976 --> 00:10:02,300 comment has something behind it and deserves to be considered. 223 00:10:02,580 --> 00:10:03,200 Listen 224 00:10:04,420 --> 00:10:06,700 to every comment and write it down. 225 00:10:06,900 --> 00:10:08,500 If I don't have an answer, 226 00:10:08,680 --> 00:10:10,660 I'm honest and say, good point. 227 00:10:11,200 --> 00:10:12,820 I hadn't considered that, 228 00:10:12,880 --> 00:10:14,120 or I don't know, 229 00:10:14,272 --> 00:10:16,320 but I can get that information to you. 230 00:10:16,500 --> 00:10:17,056 Some 231 00:10:18,480 --> 00:10:24,576 people in group presentations feel like they need to say something to validate their presence or job. 232 00:10:25,080 --> 00:10:28,120 I listen, thank everyone for good points, 233 00:10:28,260 --> 00:10:30,080 stay positive, and take notes. 234 00:10:30,640 --> 00:10:35,000 You never know where a good idea or suggestion might come from. 235 00:10:35,460 --> 00:10:35,744 If 236 00:10:36,920 --> 00:10:39,920 you feel more comfortable taking notes on the computer, go ahead. 237 00:10:40,224 --> 00:10:43,360 But maintain eye contact with the viewers. 238 00:10:43,900 --> 00:10:44,416 I've 239 00:10:45,760 --> 00:10:46,480 had clients respond to me 240 00:10:46,500 --> 00:10:48,060 with the oddest of comments. 241 00:10:48,340 --> 00:10:51,360 One client suggested that we don't do the posters, 242 00:10:51,580 --> 00:10:55,020 but a 40-foot ant farm to make the words. 243 00:10:55,440 --> 00:10:59,340 I know live animals are not good as signs or posters, 244 00:10:59,620 --> 00:11:01,560 but I asked him why, 245 00:11:02,080 --> 00:11:03,080 not how. 246 00:11:03,340 --> 00:11:07,460 He liked the concept of animals making their own spaces. 247 00:11:07,740 --> 00:11:09,780 Now that's something I can work with. 248 00:11:10,140 --> 00:11:10,624 Rather 249 00:11:12,040 --> 00:11:14,740 than live ants for signage and posters, 250 00:11:15,060 --> 00:11:16,400 I could make giant 251 00:11:16,500 --> 00:11:18,880 environmental graphics showing the same thing. 252 00:11:19,320 --> 00:11:19,776 I'd 253 00:11:20,980 --> 00:11:27,160 like to thank everyone and let them know I appreciate the hard work and collaboration and ask, 254 00:11:27,640 --> 00:11:28,680 what are the next steps?