Presentation Patterns: A Pattern Language for Creative Presentations

by Takashi Iba

A Creative Presentation uses the knowledge and experience of the audience to inspire the realization of something new. Such a presentation can encourage the audience to realize and take action towards the future. However, as a presentation has limited words, how is such innovation possible? The secrets are scribed in this book. Presentation Patterns presents 34 distinct patterns that show tips, methods, and views for a Creative Presentation. The Presentation Patterns are written as a pattern language that summarizes the design knowledge that develops from a person’s experience into the form of a pattern. It pairs a problem that occurs in a certain context of a design with its solution and gives it a name. Along with discovering methods to give an effective presentation, we hope you can also imagine the possibilities that pattern languages offer.

122 pages, Paperback

Published August 24, 2014

Reviews

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first full pattern language I've read since Alexander's A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction. A generally useful resource for pulling a presentation together.

Some patterns here (like all good and "true" patterns) seemed so obvious when described, and so simple, but describe plainly the important things we aren't always explicitly aware we need to do. On the other hand, some patterns are so vague as (e.g., 'No. 9, Doors of Mystery') as to feel difficult conceptualize or act upon.

I feel some tension with a framing of patterns of 'human action' as removed from an architectural point of view. This language takes focus away from building the whole of a presentation, from the underlying structure of what we're trying to build in a quality, interactive presentation. It may be that the structural point of view so prevalent in the original Pattern Language can't really be translated to these realms of human action. But I'm curious...