We had a presentation to do last week, 'A historical overview of wallpaper over the last 70 years' The nervous energy in the studio on the morning of the dreaded presentations was very tangible! I sometimes think that i'm a bit odd that i actually don't mind doing them, and occasionally enjoy doing them too. I haven't always enjoyed presenting ideas to an audience, absolutely despised it during my A-levels, but something clicked at the start of my Art Foundation course and they haven't bugged me much since then.
An old arty friend asked me a while ago if i had some advice on how to deal with presentations, which got me thinking and writing a long email with my advice. So, having just finished one recently, here's a quick list of my rationalisations on presentations:
1. I suppose it depends on how long it's for, (often not over 15 minutes max) but i always think 'it's 15 minutes long, why get worked up about it for days on end or fret about it constantly? it's FIFTEEN MINUTES OF YOUR LIFE!'
2. What's the worst that could happen if it goes wrong? You look a bit silly and hopefully get a laugh or two...you are NOT going to die! people are not going to mock you! have you ever mocked someone over their presentation? have you ever willed anyone to do terrible in their presentation? no? neither has anyone else! Your audience wants you to do well! :)
3. We're artists and designers, it is our job to communicate an idea! (usually through visual means) i don't know about you, but i like my work more often than not and want to tell people about it! Even if you think you're work is bad, say why you think it is! tell a story why you did this, why you did that...that's good because this, bad because that, etc. Stories are interesting and people relate to them. Mention group activities that you and your peers have done. I.e, 'i did this during our workshop on whatever, remember that?'
In short: it's a few minutes of your life, don't waste more time on it worrying. if it all goes wrong play it for a few cheesy laughs, no one is going to hate you, they want you to do well! tell your story and let your enthusiasm (or lack of it) show through and help explain your ideas/art.
That's my advice :)
