This document provides guidance for effectively planning displays. It outlines three key steps: 1) Know your audience by understanding who they are and how to engage them. 2) Know your purpose by identifying your central idea or message. 3) Arouse interest through visuals, focal points, demonstrations, hands-on elements, and stimulating thought. It then provides many specific tips, such as using visuals at different eye levels, having a striking focal point, encouraging participation, and applying design principles like balance, unity and emphasis. Safety and practical display considerations are also addressed. The overall message is that an effective display engages its audience and clearly communicates its intended purpose.

1. Guide
to
Effective
Displays

2. Three basic steps to planning
a successful display:
Before you begin, you must..
1.Know your target audience
2.Know the purpose of your display
3.Planto attract/involve your
audience

3. 1. Know your audience:
Ask yourself:
 Who will see our display?
 How can we attract and hold their
attention?
 Will our display stimulate “mental”
participation?

4. 2. Know your purpose:
You must display your group’s
chosen central idea
Example: Discoveries can lead to change.
 Everything else is optional…concepts, lines of
inquiry etc.
 What is the message you want to share with
your audience?

5. 3. Arouse interest
 Use visuals
 Create a focal point
 Have 3D displays or models
 Give demonstrations if applicable
 Make your display “hands-on” if appropriate

6. Arouse interest
•Consider the eye
level of your audience
both students and parents

7. 7

8. Display visuals at different levels and
NOT on angles!

9. Stimulate thought with visuals

10. Use images to tell a story

11. 11

12. Have one
striking
focal point

13. Encourage all types of participation

14. “The impact of your display will be strengthened
if your audience feels part of it.” Ms D.C.

15. Create 3D displays if relevant

16. Make a statement

17. Use interesting display materials
to make a point

18. Use authentic
display items

19. THINK: The Principles of
Design
Balance
Unity
Rhythm/Repetition
Emphasis
Contrast

20. Think BALANCE

21. Think
UNITY

22. Think REPETITION

23. Think EMPHASIS

24. Think CONTRAST

25. Create flow…
 Help the audience know the direction of your display
 What do you want them to see first?
 Where do they go from there?

26. 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 2.5m away
 Text from 1m away
 Just key points!

27. Can you read this?
Can you read this?
Can you read this?
Can you read this?
Can you read this?
Can you read this?

28. Can you read this?
Can you read this?
Can you read this?
Can you read this?
Can you read this?
Can you read this?

29. Can you read this?
Can you read this?
Can you read this?
Can you read this?
Can you read this?
Can you read this?

30. Headings must be seen over a crowd
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31. NO notes on display

32. NO!

33. NO!
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34. YES!

35. Computer use..
 Is it necessary? Is it engaging?
 Keep videos to 3 minutes max.
 Show original work only!

36. Think Safety
 Special display items must be secure
 Do not block other students’ booths
 Keep walkways clear
 Let Ms Tan know by Friday 19 April if you
need an outlet or a desk (email her)

37. Display considerations
 Display must fit the space
 Make a sketch of your display booth in your
journals and have a detailed plan ready for
set up including measurements
 Refer to the Presentation of Findings rubric

38. Actual booths
LLAC LIBRARY

39. Have everything ready by
19 April!
 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 all
EXPERTS!

40. 40

41. Set up Monday 22 April

42. Keep
Calm
and
GOOD
LUCK!
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