Is it Lessig, or is it Live? – Part 2
May 1, 2009 by Pearl
The first time I watched one of Professor Lawrence Lessig’s presentations, it reminded me of Sesame Street; and one particular episode in which the main theme was a lesson about fruit. As pictures of various fruits, their text labels, and animated dancing characters flashed on and off the screen, the soundtrack bounced along with a lively song. The words, colors, and photos of the fruits and the lyrics of the song, were all as synchronized as an elaborate Pixar film. In Professor Lessig’s presentation, the words and photos on his slides were perfectly synchronized with his voiceover and they proceeded in one continuous unbroken flow.
Lessig’s style does not allow for interaction with the presenter. This places limitations on most business presentations where interaction is essential. If you’re asking your audience to make a mission critical decision or an investment in your company or product or service, you had best be present and available to interact.
However, in this new globalized world, where the primary vehicle of information exchange and communication is over the Internet, the physical presence of the presenter may not always be possible. Lessig’s use of simple words and pictures grouped together to tell a story might just be the right solution in this new context.
When the presenter is absent during the presentation, simplicity works best. In the 2008 World’s Best Presentation Contest on SlideShare.net., the first place winner was Thirst, an effective presentation that inspires its audience to save water with a clever arrangement of words and photos.
The graphics in Thirst deliver a powerful message with a clear call to action, and it does so without the creator’s presence, and without a narrative voiceover.
Another example is the online advertisement for a new book called Life List by Olivia Gentile. Here again, there is no voiceover; and the only sound is a brief musical crescendo that accompanies a rapidly-cut series of images and text. But the visual payoff to the crescendo is as powerful as any that spoken words can produce.
Much like pantomime, the messages in both Thirst and Life List are told primarily by the visual component. Such simple presentations are very effective for short advertisements or to raise awareness for a noble cause.
As the Internet continues to evolve, we will find more and varied ways to deliver information. Professor Lessig’s approach can be used to transmit ideas and messages across continents, time zones, languages, and cultures at the click of a mouse. No passport required.
A Joint Program of Power Presentations, Ltd. &
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