Simple is beautiful

Garr Reynolds is a recognized authority in the field of presentation. Teacher in a Japanese university, he has historically contributed to the development of the presentations at Apple. It also acknowledges in its approach the characteristic style of Steve Jobs: some text in the slides, catchy visuals and an emphasis on storytelling first.

The watchword of this approach is simplicity. The author urges us to give up large blocks of text, graphics or overloaded with sophisticated animations. Instead, we must simplify to deliver his message with more clarity and focus on what should be the essence of a presentation to convey a message, and be in tune with his audience.

I devoured the book by Garr Reynolds with the same pleasure I feel when reading his blog, also called Presentation Zen. It is a work that transmits the inspiration, motivation and elegance of its author and, as I already considered a staple of professional books for 2008.