These seven principles come from excellent research conducted by RE Mayer, J Sweller et al. Use them as a guide for your documents and presentations, and you won't go far wrong.

1. 7 Design Principles
Source: RE Mayer, J Sweller et al
To read more about Presentation Theory visit
www.activepresence.com/presentation-theory/
Use Multiple Media
A B
1
£24,300
£856
£1,000
March
May
£24,300
£856
£1,000
B2 = March
D8 = May
Spatial Contiguity 2
Temporal Contiguity
A
B
B
3
Message
Coherence 4
v
Pick The Right Modes5
My important
key message…
My important
key message…
Redundancy 6
Relevant Language7
Illustrations + narration
work better than
narration alone
Corresponding words and
pictures are better
understood if positioned
close together
People find it easier to follow
a line of argument when
corresponding narration and
images are presented
simultaneously
It is important to keep
your content relevant –
focus on the message
People prefer to listen to a
well-illustrated presentation
than read an explanation
A good rule of thumb is:
"If you show it, don't say it, and
if you say it, don't show it"
Use simple, every-day words