Presentation of work is often overlooked topic. However you can be the best designer in the world, but if you can not present your work effectively you can lose the client. Just like everything else you should practice your presentation skills. This is one of those things which can make you look significantly more professional without too much of extra effort on your side.
1. Make sure you are designing the right thing
This might sound like an obvious thing, howewer, presentations often fail due to the fact that the designer delivers the wrong time. Make sure you fully understand the goal of the project before you even start.
2. Prepare for every single meeting
Try to create a presentation for every single meeting. This will allow you to organize your thoughts during the creation of the presentation. Plus it will help you to guide the client over your work.
3. Do not share only the final design
Share your full creative process instead. Show to them how did you get to the final design. This will help them understand why you made certain decisions. They need to feel like a part of the creative process.
4. Show your work in the real context
Sharing your work on the design tool can be foten misleading. Put it into the mockups instead. This will help the client to imagine how this could look in the real world enviroment instead on the screen.
5. Backup your work with actual data or research
Client can often confront your designs. If you will back them up with market data or research, you will be in way better position. Data can help you to convince the client that this if the right way to go.
6. The client should fully understand everything
Design presentation should not be a monologue. Make sure that you give a stage to the client. They should be able to ask a question. Simply make sure they fully understand your design solutions.
7. Outline the next steps of the process
This is extremely crucial. At the end of the presentation make sure you share with the next steps of the process. This will help the client to understand what to expect next in the process.
8. Try to give them something extra for free
Giving clients something they didn’t expect for free is always a good idea. For example extra little animation or mockup, just little things which can help you to win the client on your side.
Always try to prepare for your presentation in advance. Do not only share your screen. Create well structured presentation about the meeting topic. This will help the client understand your design process and decisions. This can help you to win the client on your side.
