Icon images

What do I mean by an “icon image”? A direct visualization of the title or a concept. For example: a small image of a wallnut on the summary “In a nutshell” slide, a photo of Albert Einstein on the page that reads “Smart product architecture”, a bag full of $100 bills on the revenue model chart.

These images are similar to icons that people use in computer software or web sites. They quickly remind the viewer what it is that you are talking about. But these icons are exactly as inefficient as text in getting your message across. When the audience sees the word “smart”, or sees the small image of a brain, it still does not understand why that product architecture is so smart.

You can find a better visualization.

6 comments

Jan Schultink2011-08-12 10:32:51

No clear recommendations, depends on the story

Fred E. Miller2011-08-11 23:01:02

I like the walnut and picture of Einstein, Jan.

What do you suggest using?

Thanks!

Andy Gurnett2011-08-14 02:50:06

Yes, I agree with you Jan. Often the wrong image is worse than no image at all. I find you have to be very clear about your audience and the message the slide is supposed to convey. The words people use on their slides are often just the details and not the underlying message of the slide and so matching images to words rather than concepts can be ineffective.

Paul Russell2011-08-11 04:22:10

Interesting concept. Are you saying that image icons are a bad idea in general or that some such as the two hand shaking to show "working" together don't really get the core point across?

Jan Schultink2011-08-11 05:54:30

It is always hard to make generalizations. But in 90% of the cases, yes icons do not help much, and yes, the hand shake image is over-used...

Bernard lebelle2011-08-11 21:20:52

I concur with Jan, over used cliché images don't necessarily convey your message properly. It also doesn't help your presentation beeing unique and standing out from the rest of the crowd. For both those reasons, i'd rather invest a couple additional hours in finding a more appropriate visual.