I’m currently sitting in an obscenely overpriced* Amtrak train barreling (ok, more like lumbering) to NYC. I was planning on sleeping through the ride, but it turns out I’m feeling productive. Will wonders never cease?
Anyway, I’ve got my ipad plugged into my seat, wifi connecting me to the internets – albeit very slowly – and the rising sun lighting up DC through my train window. In other words, it’s a lovely setup.
I’m working on the GameCamp I’ll be co-leading next week. One of the items on the agenda is for Mary and I to introduce ourselves and our gaming background. Like everyone else, I’m not exactly enthusiastic about powerpoints. I thought I’d try mixing it up so it would be more interesting. I could do a Jeopardy! setup (there are a million templates available online) but that feels too gimmicky and contrived. Instead, I thought I would use this as as excuse to learn a new presentation app. There are lots of them on the iPad App Store, many of them free. Prezi is a well-known alternative, and I might go with that. Haiku Deck is another option. For now, I think I’m going to try Flowboard. My favorite part about it: it works seamlessly with hyperlinks and videos, not that I have any for my presentation (though come to think of it, why not?!)
I don’t think this will come to replace Keynote, my presentation app of choice, but it’s nice to mix it up sometimes. I’m hoping that the unfamiliar dynamics in writing the presentation and in transitions between slides – or in this case, “cards” – will make me more creative by osmosis. In fact, this is often something I do to try to shake loose the cobwebs and get my creativity in gear (hello mixed metaphors!) You might want to consider it too: next time you have to do something that involves design (presentation, poster, website, etc.) try a new app for part or all of it. It may give you new ideas.
BTW: if you’re a design newbie and need to make a simple poster, there are great apps to make you look like a pro. Phoster has a big catalogue of hipster-approved designs. You could use them for invites to a speakeasy outing or for a screening of a Disney movie (ironically, of course) on VHS, or you could just as well use them for a department function. Another great option is simply using Pages, which has lots of built in templates and many more available online. The advantage there: seamless transition from ipad to desktop.
* I am a transportation planner, so I do understand why my train ticket is so grossly overpriced. I hope you appreciate it, train riders not on the northeast corridor. I’m subsidizing YOU. You’re welcome.
Phoster looks like a great app! I’ll have to remember that one. I like your tip about trying out new pieces of software when giving a presentation. I’m in a Keynote rut as well and could use a challenge next time I’m presenting.