Elements of Visual Literacy and Presentation Design from First Year Student Projects

A problem solving project has been given to first year students in an introduction to engineering class over a number of years.The students present their work including their process and method and proposed solutions at the end of the semester.These projects can vary from improved laundry or eating facilities to improved lighting on cars.The focus is on the problem solving process.Typically students create presentations in software (Powerpoint).Working in collaboration with a visual arts faculty member in the department of Fine Arts a review of first year problem solving design presentations was conducted.A side by side comparison of the original and revised presentations led to some conclusions about best practices and elements of visual presentation design to teach to engineering students.This was presented to a subsequent year's class of students to improve their presentations.An evaluation rubric is being developed for this year's class as a baseline for refining the education of students in visual literacy.This is a crucial but often neglected element for every student, but especially in an engineer's education.