Proposals 101 Module 3: Easy Ways To Use Graphics in Proposals and Presentations

Your audience has a limited attention span. In this social media-heavy world where information is distributed in bite-sized pieces, A/E/C marketers are challenged to find ways to deliver information in clear, concise ways.

Let’s face it, nobody looks at a proposal or presentation slide and says “Yay, it’s all words!” Yet most of the time we use pages and pages of text or wordy bullets and wonder why our message gets lost. Visuals resonate with people, and using graphics as well-thought-out ways to convey or enhance your message is key to keeping your audience engaged.

You don’t have to be a graphic designer to use graphics effectively in proposals or presentations. There are many simple, yet effective ways to visually enhance your marketing materials. All you need is a little creativity.

From developing tag lines and infographics, to using photos and charts effectively you’ll examine the many graphic tools we can use to create better marketing materials. Using real-world examples from proposals and presentations, this session will explore creative alternatives to traditional text and bullet points. We’ll even cover tips and tricks for those with no graphic design help.

Learning Outcomes

During the session, participants will learn:

  • Why visual communication is so effective
  • The types of graphics that are most effective and how to use them to support your message  
  • How to differentiate methods of conveying information in proposals and presentations 
  • How to easily build simple graphics 
  • Resources and tips and tricks for using inexpensive stock fonts and graphics

Karen Kurta, CPSM

Senior Graphic Designer, Cushman & Wakefield

A three-time marketing excellence award winner, Karen Kurta excels in graphic design, photography, and proposal writing. Specializing in assembling complex pieces into concise and cohesive marketing materials, she’s known for efficiency and creativity. 

 Her career spans various industries including construction and commercial real estate. For eight years, she managed complex proposals and developed presentations, graphics, collateral, advertising, and project photography for two global construction firms. She’s currently a senior graphic designer for Cushman & Wakefield—a global commercial real estate firm—where she provides graphic design, photography, and marketing support for over 40 brokers in two markets. 

 In addition to SMPS, Kurta is a member of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) and the Professional Photographers of America (PPA). She’s also the owner of a Central Florida-based photography business specializing in real estate, portraits, and fine art.  

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Pre-Work Handout
Proposals 101 Module 3
Evaluation Survey
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