The Power of Storytelling
in Your Presentations
Make the client the hero.
Your presentation isn’t just about showcasing your design genius it’s about inviting the client into their own success story. When they can see themselves living in the space you’re describing, you’ve already won them over emotionally before the budget even hits the table.
Use narrative arcs
Every great design presentation follows a rhythm: a beginning (the problem), a middle (the process), and an end (the transformation). Framing your work this way turns a list of specifications into a journey. Clients remember the story of how their workspace evolved far more vividly than they remember square footage or fabric codes.
Tie design details to human emotion.
Color, texture, and light aren’t just technical elements; they’re emotional cues. When you explain that soft blues calm a reception area or warm lighting makes a café more welcoming, you’re speaking the language of feeling, not just functioning. That’s what turns design into experience.
When you weave story, structure, and emotion together, you’re not merely presenting a design—you’re shaping perception. As Plato said, “Those who tell the stories rule the world.” In our world of design, those who tell the right story rule the room.
Creating Connection: The overlooked power of eye contact
Why Every Designer Should Practice Their Speech
In design, presentation is persuasion. When you practice speaking as much as sketching, you build trust, authority, and excitement around your ideas. A polished pitch can make the difference between a “maybe” and a “let’s do it.” Remember your voice is part of your professional toolkit. Use it well, and let it sell your vision as powerfully as your designs do.
NETWORKING …. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER
Networking is more about follow-up than first impressions.
Green Light
Sometimes we wait for a green light that never comes. A promotion. A signal. Someone saying, “Go ahead.” But what if the real signal is… you?
Own the Room
You don’t need to walk into a room to own it. Your presence shows up before you do—even on Zoom.
Active Listening
The most influential people aren’t the ones who talk the most. They’re the ones who listen best
Clarity Beats Confidence
People don’t need you to have all the answers—they need you to be clear.
Pivot with Purpose
Where in your work or life are you clinging to an outdated strategy? What might need a pivot?
The Power of Micro Actions
Image by Ai The Power of Micro Actions Big goals can feel overwhelming, but lasting success is built one small step at a time. Micro actions—tiny, intentional steps—have the power to create massive momentum. Whether it's sending one email, making a...
That makes a lot of sense! Stopping by from the UBC.
A good story can do alot of selling.