Blog8: Command X

In the class, we watched Command X, and in the show, students were presenting their work. They presented their redesigned American Idol logos and Arizona tea packages. Each student had very different ideas and thoughts, and it was interesting.  As the show is a reality show, most contestants looked nervous. Also, some judges gave contestants a hard time to answer and sometimes, they made some contestants feel little bit embarrassed due to their criticism. Overall, the show was very entertaining, and I got inspired and made me think about what I really need to prepare for presentations.

The best five presentation techniques include

1. Explaining your design with logical thoughts.

2. Answering questions with wit and confidence.

3. Ability to give brief background information about your design.

4. Always having logic to your design elements, for example, shapes, typography, etc.

5. speak with proper gestures and attitude.

The five worst errors committed

1. Reading off something that you are going to say for your presentation.

2. Look at the audience, not the monitor or the show host.

3. Never say, “It didn’t export right.”

4. Research related information about your design. Some contestants seem to be not really aware of what their design is about, for example, colours he used.

5. Some contestants said too many of “..um, well…, I mean….” although they were not answering questions. It looked like they did not really practice or prepare the presentation professionally.