This document provides guidelines for effectively planning displays. It outlines 3 key steps: 1) Know your audience - understand who they are and how to engage them. 2) Know your purpose - identify the central idea and message. 3) Plan to attract and involve your audience - use visuals, demonstrations, and hands-on elements to arouse interest. Additional tips include using design principles like balance and emphasis, clear signage and lettering, safely mounting visuals, and being knowledgeable about the topic. The overall goal is to effectively communicate your message and engage your target audience.
2. Three basic steps to planning
a successful display:
Before you begin, you must..
3. Know your target audience
5. Know the purpose of your display
7. Plan to attract/involve your
audience
3. 1. Know your audience:
Ask yourself:
Who are the people who will see our
display?
How can we attract and hold their
attention?
Will our display stimulate “mental”
participation?
4. 2. Know your purpose:
Yo u m u s t d is p la y y o u r
g r o u p ’ s c e n t r a l id e a
Everything else is optional…the MAIN central
idea, concepts, lines of inquiry etc.
What is the message you want to share with
your audience?
5. 3. Arouse interest
Make your display “hands-on” if appropriate
Use visuals, perform demonstrations
Quiz your audience to find out their prior
knowledge about your area of focus
6. How do you get
their attention?
Cater to your audience
For adults – put content relevant
to them at their eye level
(facts, graphs, statistics etc.)
Put visuals lower for younger
students to grab their
attention(comics, interesting
photos)
27. Lettering
Use upper case letters for short titles
Lower case for longer texts
Choose one main font and one for headings
Headings must be read from 8’ away
Text from 3’ away
Just key points!
35. Mounting your visuals
Photos must be clear and not distorted
Use a paper cutter and keep work clean
Borders must be the same width all around
38. Computer use..
Is it necessary? Is it engaging?
Keep videos to 3 minutes max.
Show original work only!
39. Think Safety
Special display items must be secure
Do not block other students’ booths
Keep walkways clear
Let your teacher know by this Wednesday if
you have special requirements e.g. outlets
40. Display considerations
Display must fit the space
Make a list of what you need and start
collecting items now
Make a sketch of your display booth in
your journals and have a detailed plan
ready for set up
Refer to the Presentation of Findings
rubric
45. Have everything ready by
1 June!
Remember – a great display is nothing
without you being knowledgeable about your
focus area
No reading from notes – you must know ALL
your group’s information so that you are the
EXPERT!