what are good topics for pecha kucha presentation

What is a Pecha Kucha Presentation?

Imagine this: You're in a presentation, listening minute after minute to someone reading directly from a PowerPoint . Their voice is monotonous, and without realizing it, you start disconnecting from what they are saying within a few minutes. After half an hour, you're already bored, and after an hour, you can't wait for it to end.

Sounds familiar? We've all experienced the infamous "death by PowerPoint" at some point. The good news: there is a solution. If you want your presentations to tell a story and keep the audience engaged, there is a presentation style you should know about: Pecha Kucha. Today, we will tell you everything you need to know about it.

We’ll go over the following topics:

What is Pecha Kucha Presentation?

What are the origins of pechakucha presentations, how do you do a pecha kucha presentation let’s go step-by-step.

• What do experts say? Best practices for creating pecha kucha style presentation

Ready to create your own? Check out some Pecha Kucha Presentation Examples

Pechakucha frequently asked questions, what is the difference between a powerpoint presentation and a pecha kucha, what is a pecha kucha night, what are good topics for pecha kucha presentation.

Pecha Kucha, chit-chat in Japanese, is a unique presentation style . These presentations are known for telling stories through images rather than text and are typically brief. They use the 20x20 rule, where each presentation consists of 20 slides, and each slide is displayed for only 20 seconds, automatically progressing to the next one. This results in a total presentation time of 6 minutes and 40 seconds.

This might be a novel format and one that challenges the speaker more than regular presentations, but it undoubtedly has its benefits. The main one is the huge improvement in the audience’s experience. Why?

• It keeps presentations concise and dynamic , making them feel fast, light, and engaging. 
• It minimizes distractions and maximizes engagement. 
• Since there is no text to read from,  presenters have to be more prepared and make the effort to craft a coherent story , resulting in a seamless narrative. 
• It helps speakers stay on-topic , preventing them from going off track and adding unnecessary details to their talks.

Pecha Kucha presentations help you develop valuable skills that are beneficial in many settings . One of them is definitely the corporate world, where time constraints are common and concise communication is essential. Another one is in educational settings like classrooms, where these type of presentations can improve student’s public speaking abilities. Research strongly supports these benefits:

“One of the greatest advantages of PK is that it is often very appealing, engaging, and enjoyable to the audience (...). According to A. M. Beyer (2011) , the creative use of PowerPoint software has the potential to result in high student engagement on the side of both the presenter and the audience.”

Pecha Kucha presentations were created in Tokyo in 2003 by architects Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham . They introduced it as a platform for young designers to come together, showcase their work, and exchange ideas through brief presentations. The core principle behind Pecha Kucha was to "talk less, show more,"

Since then, its popularity has gone beyond the design field, becoming a worldwide phenomenon . These presentations are now used in many different settings ranging from academic conferences to business meetings and even informal gatherings. There is a whole community dedicated to Pecha Kucha, who get together and organize “Pecha Kucha Nights.”

Are you ready to create your own Pecha Kucha presentation? Let’s take a look at how to do them in PowerPoint.

In the Home Tab, go to Slides and click New Slides until you get the 20 slides you need. You can also click Ctrl + M.

Now, you need to remove any placeholders they have. To do this, go to the View Tab, and in Presentation Views , choose Slide Sorter . Select all of your slides. 

Then, go to the Home Tab, select Layout , and choose Blank .

The next step is to set the slides to advance automatically. To achieve this, go to the Transitions Tab. In timing, go to Advance Slides , deselect On Mouse Click , and check After . Now, set the timer for 20 seconds .

Finally, you can add a Transition effect. It’s best to choose a simple one, such as Fade , and select a short Duration for it (such as 00.50).

And that’s all! Now, you can begin inserting your images and practicing your presentation.

What do experts say? Best practices for creating Pecha Kucha style presentation

Understanding what Pecha Kucha is about is pretty straightforward, but actually doing this type of presentation can be much more difficult than people think. But we are here to help! We have come up with the best tips and tricks from our presentation experts . Let’s take a look at what they say:

1.Before you begin…take a step back!

All experts agree on one thing: take time to prepare your presentation . Before you even open PowerPoint, you should be able to answer:

• What story will you be talking about? Why?
• What is your goal? To inform? Inspire? Convince?
• What is the impression you want to give?
• What feeling do you want your audience to stay with?

After you have all your answers, it’s time to plan. Take out your pen and paper and start drafting what you want to say. In this first draft, just let your ideas flow without trying to filter or organize them, and include everything you would like to share. 

The next step is to organize all of your ideas. To do so, group them by sections and then define the content slide by slide. Consider the following structure:

• Introduction: This is the first impression you’ll give your audience. Think about how you’ll engage with them, get their attention and connect emotionally.
• Middle: In this section, remember to keep the flow of the story, so make sure each slide is connected with the one that comes before and after.
• Closing: Consider what you want your audience to stay with. It could be an emotion, idea, or desire to do something. This is one of the parts your audience will remember the most.

Remember that achieving your perfect structure and content is not easy and definitely not something you get on your first try. It might take many attempts before you get the version you’ll be presenting , but don’t worry! It’s all part of the process.

2. Select the best visuals

Once you have defined your content per slide, it’s time to choose the images you’ll show. This is a really important step because it is the only thing your audience will see. Since these images will be the primary focus for your audience, consider the following tips:

• Choose high-quality images: Choose the highest-quality visuals, especially if they will be displayed in fullscreen. Clear and captivating images can significantly enhance the overall impression of your presentation.
• Align images with your message: Reflect on the content of each slide and ask yourself: "What story am I telling, and what type of image complements that narrative?" Make sure that the chosen images really align and reinforce your intended message.
• Maintain coherence: Establish visual coherence throughout your presentation. If you have established a theme, only choose images that seamlessly integrate with that theme. 
• Establish emotional connections: Consider the emotional impact your chosen pictures may have on your audience. A well-selected image can evoke emotions, making your presentation more memorable and engaging.

3. Practice, practice, practice

One might think delivering a short presentation is much easier than giving an extended talk, but evidence suggests the opposite. Actually, being clear and concise is a challenge most people underestimate . It is not easy to synthesize information and stay on topic, not to mention being able to tell a story and connect in under 7 minutes!

This is why practice is so important, especially in this type of presentations, so make sure you follow these practice tips:

• Practice to adjust your presentation: The first few times you run through your whole presentation, time yourself and see if you need to make any adjustments to your content to get the exact 20 seconds per slide. You may need to leave some details out or adjust your information so the content in all your slides is balanced.
• Practice to perfect your presentation: Once your content is adjusted and ready, shift your focus to memorizing the presentation. Pay attention to the flow of your presentation, ensuring a seamless connection between points. Additionally, practice your oratory skills—intonation, vocal tone, strategic pauses, breath control, body language, and eye contact. Every detail matters.

Bonus tip: You can record yourself or practice in front of a mirror. This might be uncomfortable, but it will do wonders for your presentation skills.

Are you preparing a Pecha Kucha presentation? Then don't miss these examples!

Pecha Kucha Presentation Example #1: Let’s Promote Wellness in Patients  

In this example, Mark Holder talks about using positive psychology to promote health care. What makes this presentation stand out is its ability to capture the viewer's attention, maintain interest , and communicate effectively. Images are used as visual support, and the presentation flows interestingly and engagingly.

Pecha Kucha Presentation Example #2: Our Words Can Create Sustained Change

In this example, Manisha Willms reflects on what it means to be healthy. She does this by showing us drawings of 4-year-olds about what the word "healthy" means to them. 

As for the presentation, her use of images is different, as her slides are only focused on the children's drawings , which complement her talk instead of guiding it. Nevertheless, they achieve the purpose of connecting with the audience by generating emotions such as tenderness and laughter; and totally complement the message she gives.

Pecha Kucha Presentation Example #3: Let's Put More Joy into Our Lives and Work

This example is a more personal one. In this talk, Eyoälha Baker talks about her life experiences and challenging moments, and how these helped her connect with the importance of sharing joy through her work.

This presentation shows us a great example of connecting with an audience through vulnerability and transparency. Eyoälha is not afraid of being open, showing emotion, and telling personal stories, and the audience warmly receives and embraces them.

The main difference between traditional PowerPoint presentations and Pecha Kucha presentations is their style and format. While PowerPoint presentations allow for flexibility in terms of duration and how content is presented,  Pecha Kucha presentations adhere to a specific format.

Pecha Kucha presentations exclusively utilize images without any accompanying text. They follow the 20x20 rule, where each presentation consists of 20 slides , each shown for only 20 seconds before automatically progressing to the next one. This structured approach results in a total presentation time of 6 minutes and 40 seconds.

Inspired by the success of Pecha Kucha among designers, thousands of cities worldwide began hosting their own Pecha Kucha Nights. These events consist of people getting together to present their own Pecha Kucha . The topics of the presentations can vary widely, from holiday photos to political messages, as long as presenters adhere to the 20x20 format.

If you'd like to know more about Pecha Kucha Nights or see more examples, check out this page about Pecha Kucha Nights in Dundee to get an idea about the community and atmosphere of such events.

Good topics for a Pecha Kucha presentation are those that fit well with the short format and can be represented by exclusively using images . Some of the most common topics are:

• Personal projects or initiatives
• Travel adventures
• Reflections or ideas
• Personal stories

These subjects work effectively within the 20x20 format, allowing presenters to communicate meaningful insights without overwhelming the audience .

On the other hand, Pecha Kucha may not be the best choice for some presentations, such as presentations with a lot of data , details or ones with controversial topics. Because of the time limit, presentations that require a lot of detail, explanation or discussion with the audience are not the best idea for this format.

You might also like:

• How to Deliver the Perfect Online Presentation
• 7 Essential Storytelling Techniques for Your Business Presentation
• 7 Presentation Styles to Make Your Presentation Shine
• +20 Self Introduction PowerPoint Templates: Download for free!

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Catherine Cronin

Pecha kucha: tips, resources & examples.

Some wonderful examples of Pecha Kucha presentations were a highlight of the recent Galway Symposium on Higher Education (#celt12) held at NUI Galway. If you’ve attended or delivered a Pecha Kucha presentation, you’ll know that it can be both a dynamic and challenging presentation format. Over the past two years I’ve had the opportunity to prepare and deliver four different Pecha Kucha presentations. Each time is a unique learning experience! This past year I did something I’d considered for quite a while: I assigned Pecha Kucha presentations to my students. In terms of presentation quality and the skills students developed, this was a great success. In this post I’ll share a few tips about Pecha Kucha presentations, some resources which my students and I found helpful, and a few examples of PK presentations.

I. Pecha Kucha presentation tips

A Pecha Kucha or 20×20 presentation contains 20 slides, with each slide shown for 20 seconds, for a presentation of exactly 6 minutes, 40 seconds. The format is similar to an Ignite talk, which is 20×15 (i.e. 20 slides, 15 seconds per slide, 5 minutes in length), so advice for preparing and delivering Ignite and Pecha Kucha presentations is similar.

The advantages of the Pecha Kucha format for a conference or a class are clear. Within a given time slot, more presentations can be scheduled and the schedule is predictable. In addition, the atmosphere in a Pecha Kucha session is usually very engaging. Once the “clock starts ticking”, the audience is on the side of the presenter, willing them to succeed. This is a wonderful atmosphere for both new and experienced presenters.

Tips for presenters:

• Images are the key to effective Pecha Kucha. Try to find images which are illustrations or metaphors of your key points and/or use words-as-image, as in the example above. This makes delivery of your presentation much easier, as you’re not trying to race through a list of points. It also makes your presentation more engaging. This is why Pecha Kucha is so successful, I think. It’s not the timing, as such, but the fact that it leads presenters to use best practice in creating presentations which are visually strong and appealing. Let’s banish the bullets! 🙂
• Practice, practice and practice again. I’m not a person who tends to memorize my presentations. For a Pecha Kucha presentation, however, memorizing your key points for each slide is usually the best approach. I suggest writing down the 2 key points you want to make for each slide and trying to stick to that. Then practice delivering your presentation until it flows easily. Practice really makes the difference.
• Hack the format! If you want to go into depth on one particular slide and 20 seconds just won’t be enough, repeat the slide and add text or graphics to develop your points. Your information will then be on-screen for 40 seconds, with small changes appearing midway through. This is a very graceful way to keep within the format but still go into depth.
• When delivering the presentation, don’t worry if you finish making your points on one slide before the next slide advances. Pausing will break your flow. Just start speaking about your next slide; it will likely appear midway through your first sentence. This makes for a more polished presentation rather than pausing for a few seconds to wait for the next slide to appear.
• In working with students, I found that it was important to spend plenty of time beforehand to help students to develop not just an understanding of good presentation skills, but also of copyright, Creative Commons, and how to find, use and assign CC-licensed images . Most students who completed Pecha Kucha presentations in my Professional Skills course assigned CC licenses to their presentations and uploaded their work to Slideshare, forming part of their e-portfolio and digital footprint (some examples below).

Tips for organisers:

• If possible, schedule Pecha Kucha presentations in a room that is not too large. I’ve attended Pecha Kucha sessions in small rooms and in large lecture halls, and I’ve found the atmosphere in rooms with a higher density of people is more connected and more fun. Participants tend to feel in touch with the presenter and the presenter can feed off the positive energy of the audience.
• If you are organising a Pecha Kucha conference session, make sure all presenters send you their presentations ahead of time so that you can be sure that the timings are set correctly to 20 seconds per slide. Another approach you might consider is creating one long presentation for each Pecha Kucha session, with a transition slide (or two) between each presentation. This makes for a seamless session.
• In one conference I attended ( #ece11 ) yet another element of excitement was added by putting the presentations in each session in random order. Presenters didn’t know where their presentation fell in the running order, so had to be prepared to pop up when their name appeared. This led to much hilarity and great audience engagement and support.
• When organising Pecha Kucha presentations for a class, I took on less of the organising work. I asked students to bring their own laptops or share laptops. Students learned a lot from loading presentations, connecting to the projector system, adjusting the room lighting, etc. And in one or two cases where students had not set the slide timings correctly, it served as a great learning moment for everyone.

II. Pecha Kucha resources

Pecha Kucha 20×20 —  This page gives the basics and a brief history of Pecha Kucha.

Why and How to Give an Ignite Talk  by Scott Berkun — This terrific presentation (in Ignite format) is relevant for both Pecha Kucha and Ignite presentations. Take Scott’s advice and “hack the format” if necessary. If it’s Pecha Kucha, just be sure your presentation is 6 minute and 40 seconds long.

Creating an Ignite presentation — This article was written by presentation expert Olivia Mitchell about creating an Ignite presentation, however the guidelines apply just as easily to Pecha Kucha. This is a terrific, visual article, very helpful for careful planning of your presentation.

Choosing good images for presentations — This blog post has excellent advice on finding relevant, potent images for your presentation.

Finding CC-licensed images — the following sites are helpful in finding Creative Commons-licensed images and learning how to reference them:

• Compfight – excellent search tool for Creative Commons-licensed Flickr images
• Creative Commons Wiki – a Creative Commons image directory
• CC Search — powerful search across a variety of platforms (e.g. Flickr, Google images, YouTube) to help you find content you can share, use, remix
• Flickr images – enter search term, click Advanced Search , then tick the box “ only search within Creative Commons-licensed content”
• Content Directories — extensive list of directories of Creative Commons-licensed materials (audio, video, image, text

40+ Tips for awesome PowerPoint presentations — This is a useful checklist for all presentations, not just PowerPoint.

Prezi workshop  — Prezi videos, examples and templates

Great Presentations by Nancy Duarte — Nancy Duarte is the author of the excellent books Resonate and Slideology – unbeatable sources of ideas and inspiration for all presenters. This 25-minute video is worth viewing if you want a deeper understanding of what makes a presentation which truly connects with an audience.

III. Pecha Kucha examples

The first two presentations below are examples of student Pecha Kucha presentations. Each of these was the first presentation ever created by the student — wonderful work, I’m sure you’ll agree! Also, please check out the CT231 Student Showcase  — a collection of student work including Ignite & Pecha Kucha presentations, blogs and audio podcasts.

The final two presentations are conference presentations. The first is by Mary Loftus , an excellent presentation from #celt12 on ‘ways of being’ in the online classroom. The second is one of my own Pecha Kucha presentations, delivered at #ece11, on learning and teaching Professional Skills.

Image source: CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 edmontonnextgen

• ← Galway Symposium on Higher Education #celt12
• Volvo Ocean Race, NUI Galway and online learning →

27 thoughts on “Pecha Kucha: tips, resources & examples”

• Pingback: Pecha Kucha: tips, resources & examples « catherinecronin | Profesorbaker's Blog: A Bit of Everything

Catherine, this format has been talked about a lot recently in both the business and elearning sectors. I’m wondering if you have any ideas as to how the pecha kucha presentation format might be adapted by instructors to create brief, compelling educational ‘bites’ to use as part of an online education program.

• Pingback: Ignite your audience with lightning or Pecha Kucha form talks | Sociobiology

Hey there, You have done a great job. I will certainly digg it and personally suggest to my friends. I am confident they’ll be benefited from this site.

excellent put up, very informative. I’m wondering why the other experts of this sector do not notice this. You must continue your writing. I am confident, you’ve a great readers’ base already!

This is an app for Pechakucha Speakers. You can see Timer, Slides & Text in your hand.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/20-note/id633039864?l=ja&ls=1&mt=8

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Reblogged this on MumPhD and commented: V helpful guidance

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I have a question about the total presentation time. Does it have to strictly follow 6.6 minutes? Because my professor deducted 5 points off my grade for “not following Pecha Kucha guidelines” because my total time was 5:43. I would appreciate any advise and I can use some references that shows Pecha Kucha CANNOT fall below 6.6 minutes. I need help because we will be doing more of this sort of assignment.

Hi Grace – thanks for your comment. The best way to time a Pecha Kucha presentation correctly is to set the timer for each slide in the presentation. You should have 20 slides (including the title slide) and each slide time should be set for 20 seconds exactly. This way, you do not manually advance the slides at all; the timing of the presentation will be 20 slides x 20 seconds = 400 seconds, i.e. 6 minutes and 40 seconds. Best of luck!

Reblogged this on anagabriela904 and commented: Let’s check it out.

Reblogged this on and commented: I have been assigned to a task to present at a Teachmeet Melbourne session. One of the criteria’s is to present in 7 minutes! Here is a concept known as Pecha Kucka which is a Japanese word for chit chat. The concept is to present 20 slides for 20 seconds.

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Pecha Kucha presentations explained

Get your team on prezi – watch this on demand video.

Anete Ezera January 24, 2024

We’ve all experienced those lengthy presentations that are overflowing with details, yet they’re so cluttered that we hardly absorb any of the information. When it’s your turn to present, you’ll want a method that captures your audience’s attention and communicates your message clearly. This is where the Pecha Kucha technique comes into play. When you combine this with Prezi for your presentation design , you’re setting yourself up for a successful delivery.

What is a Pecha Kucha presentation? 

Many elements make a Pecha Kucha presentation different from conventional styles. Let’s look at what makes up a PechaKucha: 

• Basic concept: PechaKucha is a presentation style designed to be concise and fast-paced.
• Slide count: It uses exactly 20 slides.
• Timing: Each slide is displayed for 20 seconds.
• Total duration: This means your entire presentation will last 6 minutes and 40 seconds.
• Content approach: The idea is to make your points quickly and clearly. It’s more about the key ideas rather than lots of details.
• Purpose: The Pecha Kucha format helps to avoid long and complicated presentations. It keeps things simple and engaging.
• Common use: It’s popular in creative and professional settings. People often use it to share new ideas or projects.
• Audience engagement: With its quick pace, it tends to hold the audience’s attention better than traditional presentation styles.

In summary, a Pecha Kucha presentation is all about brevity and clarity. You get just enough time to make your point, but not so much that your audience loses interest. It’s a great way to present if you want to leave a lasting impression without overwhelming your listeners with too much information.

Where did this presentation style come from? 

The Pecha Kucha presentation style originated in Tokyo back in 2003, created by architects Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham. They noticed a common problem at meetups where speakers, often overenthusiastic or poorly prepared, would go on for too long, causing the audience to lose interest. So, they came up with PechaKucha as a solution. 

This style was created to keep presentations short and clear. It lets speakers share their ideas or work in a time-efficient and engaging way. The PechaKucha became popular quickly, as it became known for helping make presentations easier to understand.

The name ‘PechaKucha’ translates to ‘chit-chat’. A great reflection of the formats designed for simple, fast-paced presentations, where each speaker shares their ideas in a brief, conversational manner. 

Growth in popularity

Since its start in 2003, Pecha Kucha presentations have really taken off. By 2019, it had spread to more than 1,142 cities, and over 3 million people had attended PechaKucha events . This shows just how well-received and adaptable this presentation style is across the globe, resonating with a wide range of audiences.

Who might use a Pecha Kucha presentation? 

Pecha Kucha presentations are quite versatile, so they’re used by a wide range of people and industries. Let’s look at a few examples:

• Educators and students: In schools and universities, teachers and students use Pecha Kucha for classroom presentations. It’s great for keeping lectures engaging and helping students learn to express their ideas concisely.
• Designers and architects: This is where Pecha Kucha presentations started. Design professionals use it to showcase their projects or concepts in a format that’s quick and visually driven, perfect for highlighting design elements.
• Business professionals: In the corporate world, from startups to large companies, Pecha Kucha helps in pitching ideas or presenting updates without dragging on. It’s effective for keeping meetings efficient and focused.
• Marketing teams: Marketing professionals use it to brainstorm and present campaign ideas. The format forces them to boil down their concepts to the essentials, which is key in marketing.
• Tech industry: In tech, where things change rapidly, Pecha Kucha allows professionals to share updates or innovations in a fast-paced, digestible manner, which is crucial for keeping up with the industry’s pace.
• Creative artists: Artists, photographers, and writers use it to present their work or concepts in a narrative yet concise way, often to peers or potential clients.

Pecha Kucha presentations are popular in many fields because they emphasize being brief and clear. It pushes presenters to get straight to the point, which is vital in our fast-paced world. Also, its structured format brings in a creative aspect, making presentations more than just informative, but artistic too.

Pecha Kucha in the digital age

Today, where virtual settings are dominating in business and education, Pecha Kucha presentations stand out. This format’s concise nature is perfect for online meetings and webinars, where keeping the audience engaged is crucial. And with the Prezi Video functionality, you don’t need to settle for screen sharing – you can effectively showcase your slides right next to you on-screen, improving engagement.

It’s also a great tool in online education, helping to deliver compact lessons that are easy for students to digest. This blend of brevity and visual storytelling makes Pecha Kucha presentations an ideal choice for digital communication.

Tips for making the most of your virtual Pecha Kucha presentation

• Test your tech: Ensure your microphone, camera, and internet connection are stable, and your Prezi Video is connected.
• Engage your audience: Although uncommon in traditional Pecha Kucha presentations, in adapting Pecha Kucha for virtual settings, you can consider interactive elements like polls or Q&A to enhance engagement, especially in an environment where audience attention can be more fragmented.
• Practice timing: Rehearse to keep each slide to 20 seconds. Online environments demand precise timing to hold attention.
• Eye contact: Although virtual, try to look at the camera to create a sense of connection with your audience.

Challenges and tips for overcoming them in Pecha Kucha presentations

While Pecha Kucha presentations offer a unique and engaging way to convey information, they also come with their own set of challenges. Here are some common challenges that presenters may face and tips on how to overcome them:

Content selection

When it comes to picking what goes on each slide, it can be a bit tricky. The key here is to keep things focused. Stick to your main ideas and visuals that really back up what you’re saying. Avoid adding in extra stuff that doesn’t directly support your message.

Nervousness

Presenting in a fast-paced style like Pecha Kucha can make anyone feel a bit jittery. To tackle this , practice your presentation in front of friends or colleagues. Getting comfortable with your material and the timing can help ease those nerves.

Technical issues

Whether you’re presenting digitally or in person, tech problems can pop up unexpectedly. It’s a good idea to be ready for these hiccups by testing your equipment beforehand. Having a backup plan in case of any technical glitches will ensure your presentation stays smooth and professional.

Lack of detail

Pecha Kucha is all about brevity, but sometimes, you might worry about leaving out important details. To deal with this, consider offering extra resources or references for those who want to dive deeper into your topic after your presentation.

Slide design

Creating visually appealing slides that match your message can be a bit of a challenge. Don’t hesitate to use Prezi’s design tools to your advantage. And if you’re not sure about your presentation’s look, asking for feedback on its aesthetics can be really helpful.

By recognizing and getting ready for these challenges, you’ll be well-prepared to make sure your Pecha Kucha presentation delivers your message effectively.

Learn more about creating and delivering a Pecha Kucha presentation in the following video:

Prezi: the best platform to create your Pecha Kucha presentation 

Prezi is well-suited for Pecha Kucha presentations for many reasons. First, its non-linear presentation style allows for creative storytelling , which aligns with the concise and impactful nature of Pecha Kucha. The zooming feature of Prezi helps to maintain audience engagement , a key aspect of Pecha Kucha. Also, Prezi’s visual-centric approach is perfect for Pecha Kucha’s emphasis on visuals over text. And finally, Prezi’s ease of use and flexibility in arranging content helps presenters focus on timing, crucial for the 20 seconds per slide format of Pecha Kucha.

How to create a Pecha Kucha using Prezi

Creating a Pecha Kucha presentation using Prezi involves a few key steps:

• Start a new Prezi: Choose a blank presentation or a template or one that suits your topic.
• Plan your content: Since Pecha Kucha requires 20 slides, each for 20 seconds, outline your main points to fit this format.
• Choose a theme: Think about a theme such as colors and fonts that align with the message of your Pecha Kucha. You want to be consistent on every slide so be sure to use the same theme throughout the whole presentation.
• Add slides: Create 20 slides in Prezi. Focus on using images and minimal text for each slide. This will help you attain your goal of sharp, concise content, which is crucial for a Pecha Kucha presentation.
• Design your slides: Use Prezi’s tools to add visuals, keeping in mind the zoom and pan features that can make transitions more engaging.
• Time for your presentation: Practice your speech to ensure each slide is presented for 20 seconds.
• Rehearse: Run through your presentation multiple times to get the timing right.

Remember, Prezi’s strength is in creating visually appealing and non-linear presentations, which can add a dynamic element to your Pecha Kucha.

Presenting your Pecha Kucha

So, you’ve designed and created your Pecha Kucha, but what about presenting it successfully? Here’s some tips for presenting your Pecha Kucha in the most effective way: 

• Start strong: Open by saying something engaging to grab attention immediately. Your first slide sets the tone.
• Confidence: Always use strong body language to make yourself appear confident, even if you’re not. Good posture, clear gestures, and a loud voice can make you seem self-assured despite nerves. 
• Storytelling: Weave your information into a fast-paced story. Stories are easier for audiences to follow and remember.
• Visuals are key: Use strong, relevant images. Pecha Kucha is visually driven; let your pictures do the talking.
• Minimize text: Avoid clutter. Use key phrases or words only, as visuals should lead the narrative.
• Practice, practice, practice: Know your material well. This ensures smooth transitions and timing.
• Keep to the point: Focus on your main message. Each slide should contribute clearly to your overall point. During the speech, choose your words wisely to stick to the punchy, attention-grabbing method of Pecha Kucha. 
• Engage with your audience: Make eye contact. Engaging with your audience creates a connection.
• Use humor wisely: If appropriate, humor can make your presentation memorable. But keep it relevant.
• Time management: Again, it’s important to stick to the 20-second rule per slide to maintain pace and structure.
• End with impact: Conclude with a strong, memorable point or call to action. Leave your audience with something to think about.

It’s essential to understand that how you deliver your Pecha Kucha is as crucial as its design. A confident and clear presentation keeps the audience engaged and interested in your message. Preparation is key. Stick to your plan and avoid deviating or getting sidetracked, as this can disrupt the structure and purpose of your Pecha Kucha.

Final thoughts on Pecha Kucha presentations

Wrapping up, Pecha Kucha presentations are a great way to share ideas effectively, especially in the digital era. They are quick, focused, and keep audiences engaged. For creating these presentations, Prezi stands out as an ideal tool. Its features complement the Pecha Kucha style, helping your presentation make a stronger impact. If you’re planning your next presentation, give Prezi a try to bring your Pecha Kucha to life.

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Home Blog Presentation Ideas How to Create a Highly Effective Pecha Kucha Presentation

How to Create a Highly Effective Pecha Kucha Presentation

Brevity is considered the soul of wit, but it can also be a powerful technique for effective communication. When you say more with less, you capture your audience’s attention and leave a lasting impression. This is precisely what Pecha Kucha is all about.

It’s a quick-fire format presentation where the speaker tells a story using photos within strict timing.

Whether you’re a seasoned presenter or just starting, Pecha Kucha has something to offer those who want to take their presentations to the next level. In this article, we’ll dive into its benefits as a presentation style and provide tips and strategies for creating effective Pecha Kucha presentations.

What Is Pecha Kucha Presentation?

The format of a Pecha Kucha, or 20×20 presentation, is simple: the presenter shows 20 slides containing an image, each displaying for exactly 20 seconds. The images will auto-forward, so there’s no way of going back to or skipping ahead of the slides. This means each presentation is exactly 6 minutes and 40 seconds long.

This style is quite similar to lightning talk, where the speakers have five minutes to present a five-slide presentation, or the ignite talk, where presenters have 15 seconds to present each slide of a 20-slide presentation.

The challenge for presenters is to convey their idea with the combined use of images and concise, impactful statements within this tight time frame.

Pecha Kucha, which means “chit-chat” in Japanese, was created by architects Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham, who seek to encourage a fast-paced presentation style. Since then, it has become a worldwide phenomenon, used in settings ranging from academic conferences to business meetings and even informal gatherings.

The Benefits of Pecha Kucha

Pecha Kucha presentations are highly engaging. The timing of Pecha Kucha presentations adds an element of excitement. Each slide changes every 20 seconds, keeping the audience engaged, and this helps hold their attention and prevents them from becoming distracted or disengaged.

Pecha Kucha helps you focus on the main topic. The time limit helps presenters stay on track and avoid going off on tangents, which can be a problem in more traditional presentations. This can be a valuable skill in the corporate world, where time is often limited, and getting to the point quickly is crucial.

Pecha Kucha presentations are highly visual. Because Pecha Kucha presentations rely heavily on visual aids, they can effectively communicate complex or abstract ideas to an audience. This helps make presentations more memorable and impactful, as the brain processes visual information more quickly and effectively than written or spoken information.

Pecha Kucha promotes creative thinking and communication. The format challenges presenters to distill their ideas into a concise and visually engaging format. So instead of running around the bush and filling in their talk with non-essential information, they focus on the most important aspects of their message. 

Furthermore, the challenge of syncing the message with images stimulates creativity by inspiring connections and associations between ideas.

How to Make a Pecha Kucha

1. define your main message.

Defining your main message, a.k.a thesis, is crucial in preparing a presentation or communication. When you can pinpoint the core message you want to convey during a presentation, it becomes easier to identify which information to include and which to eliminate.

To narrow down your presentation’s key message or idea, ask yourself the following questions.

• What is the purpose of my presentation – to inform, to inspire, to convince?
• What do I want my audience to know?
• What do I want my audience to do after the presentation?

Your main message should be a direct answer to these questions and something your audience can easily grasp and remember.

Example: Let’s say you are giving a presentation on a new diet cereal bar product. A good thesis could be, “Diet cereal bars are a convenient and nutritious snack option that can help you maintain a healthy lifestyle.”

From here, you can start outlining and structure your presentation. Let the main message lead the way.

So, in our example, you can cite studies showing the health benefits of eating a nutritious diet and present the nutritional value of cereal bars that can help achieve that goal.

2. Select the Best Visuals

You can identify the main message of your presentation and the points that go along with it. The second step would be turning them into visuals.

Many presentation guides will tell you how important visualizations are in a PowerPoint, but Pecha Kucha takes that even further. As mentioned, it emphasizes storytelling with the use of images.

You may still use text to provide context for visual elements, but use it sparingly and avoid paragraphs. Remember, you only have 20 seconds to present each slide, so your audience won’t have the time to read lengthy texts.

Instead, you should use high-quality images directly related to your message. This will help reinforce your message and ensure your visuals are not distracting or confusing.

It’s a hard rule to avoid cartoonish and clipart photos, especially in the business setting, as they make your slide look tacky. This might mean using more modern, minimalist images for a sleek, professional look or more vibrant, colorful images for a more playful and creative feel.

It’s also important to consider the overall aesthetic of your presentation template and choose images consistent with that theme. If you represent a brand, use slides with the look and feel you are known for.

Example: In our diet cereal bar example, you may choose images that showcase the bar’s ingredients, such as images of whole grains, nuts, and dried fruits. You could also use images of people engaging in healthy activities, such as jogging or hiking, to reinforce the idea that the cereal bar is a healthy snack option for people on the go.

3. Structure Your Presentation

Like other forms of presentation, a Pecha Kucha presentation should have a clear structure – no matter how short. You may need it more in this scenario to avoid losing any of your precious time going off on tangents.

Conversely, it will be easier for your audience to follow along and understand your message if you present it organized and coherently.

You can follow several presentation structures, but for something like Pecha Kucha, we recommend a more linear style. One that has an introduction, body, and conclusion.

The Pyramid Principle has all these elements and might work in a fast-paced presentation format. In this style, the main idea or conclusion is presented at the beginning, followed by a series of supporting points that are organized hierarchically. This approach can help your audience engage in critical thinking, as they are encouraged to consider how each piece of information relates to the larger message being presented.

Example: Let’s return to our diet cereal bar example to illustrate how the Pyramid Principle can be applied in a Pecha Kucha presentation.

Open your presentation by stating your main idea or message: “Our diet cereal bars are a convenient and nutritious snack option that can help you maintain a healthy lifestyle.”

Then, discuss the supporting points that further develop the main idea.

• You may discuss the natural ingredients and X calories it contains, making it a healthy snack option.
• You may talk about the range of delicious flavors that it comes with, establishing the idea that it’s a nutritious option that does not compromise on taste.
• You may talk about the convenient packaging that makes it perfect for busy people on the go.

4. Practice, practice, practice

Pecha Kucha’s presentation is all about timing and mastery, so you must conduct a  dry run to ensure that you’d feel comfortable with the flow of your presentation on the actual delivery.

Rehearse your presentation multiple times as if it’s the real thing. This means setting a strict timer for 20 seconds per slide to ensure that you are staying on track and not going over time. Google Slide and PowerPoint have an option that automatically advances slides within several seconds.

Although 20 seconds may feel very short, speak at a moderate pace to ensure you are not rushing through the presentation. But, also avoid lingering on any one slide for too long.

Tips and Tricks for an Effective Pecha Kucha Delivery

1. using engaging storytelling techniques.

Although we did say that you may state your main idea at the beginning of your presentation , you don’t just get to drop the bomb, or it will sound dry. Using an engaging story will help you do this with finesse.

People are naturally drawn to stories – they love journeys. Structure your presentation like a story, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Sharing personal experiences or anecdotes can help to humanize your presentation and make it more relatable for your audience.

Example: You can share a personal anecdote about your struggles with maintaining a healthy diet. You could talk about how you struggled to find healthy snack options while working long hours at your desk job.

2. Connecting With Your Audience and Maintaining It

Sharing a story or a personal experience is one way to connect with your audience. Still, it isn’t just about getting their attention – keeping their attention on you is far more important.

It’s common advice for speakers to keep eye contact with the audience. We’d like to add something to this – look at your audience intently and respond to what you see. Knowing your audience’s nonverbal cues can help you connect with them and respond to their needs.

Speaking of nonverbal, you should be aware of your body language too. Use intentional hand gestures, but avoid excessive movements that may take the audience’s attention from you.

Finally, don’t forget to smile. Smiling helps convey a positive and approachable attitude and shows that you like your audience.

3. Handling Unexpected Challenges Or Technical Issues

With over six minutes to present your case, there should be no room for mistakes when making a Pecha Kucha presentation. The best advice is to have a backup plan for your backup plan.

No, we don’t mean carrying 2 laptops and 2 projectors around! But it’s best practice to have a USB drive with your presentation saved on it, just in case. You may also save your presentation on the cloud if you lose both copies on your device and external drive.

In the event of a complete technology failure, be ready to present without the slides. Remember, the slides are only a visual aid, and your delivery and message are the most important aspects of your presentation.

Pecha Kucha makes it possible to deliver a compelling presentation within minutes. Remember to keep your main message at the forefront when creating this type of presentation, choose high-quality visuals that reinforce your message, and practice your timing to ensure your presentation flows smoothly. With these tips, you can deliver a presentation that leaves a lasting impression on your audience.

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Top 10 Pecha Kucha Ideas for Your Presentation

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Ever been sitting in a presentation where the speaker seems to talk forever? You’re not alone. Traditional presentations can sometimes be a bit long, heavy on text, and maybe even a little boring. But there’s a solution! Pecha Kucha is a presentation style that encourages speakers to be clear, creative, and interesting.

What is Pecha Kucha?

Pecha Kucha is a presentation format that uses a specific structure. Presenters show 20 images, each displayed for 20 seconds. This keeps the presentations concise and fast-paced, with the speaker talking along to the images.

Originally developed in Tokyo, Pecha Kucha has become a worldwide phenomenon. The focus is on brevity, so topics need to be chosen carefully to fit within the limited timeframe.

Benefits Of Pecha Kucha Presentations

1. encourages focus and clarity.

The format keeps presentations concise, which helps presenters stay on topic and avoid unnecessary details. This leads to a clear and focused message for the audience.

2. Boosts Engagement

The fast-paced nature with frequent slide changes keeps the audience engaged and attentive.

3. Improves Speaker Preparation

With limited time per slide, presenters need to be well-prepared and craft a clear narrative beforehand.

4. Creates a Dynamic Experience

Pecha Kucha presentations feel more dynamic and lively compared to traditional, text-heavy presentations.

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Top 10 Pecha Kucha Ideas for Your Presentations

1. travel adventures.

Pecha Kucha presentations are a fantastic platform to share your travel adventures, whether it’s a grand expedition around the world or a local sightseeing trip. While photos are great, focus on capturing the essence of your experiences. Did you conquer your travel fears? Encounter unexpected surprises? Make a new friend across the globe? Share these stories alongside captivating visuals. Remember, with only twenty seconds per slide, keep it concise. Focus on the big picture, not every last detail. Let your visuals and captivating stories paint a vivid picture for your audience.

2. Talk About Food

Food is a universally loved theme, potentially even more so than travel! Why? Because food brings the world to you, allowing you to experience different cultures right at your table.

For passionate cooks, sharing favorite dishes is a great option. Whether it’s a simple list of delicious meals with pictures or a detailed breakdown of a single recipe using all 20 slides, there’s always room for creativity. Consider what makes your chosen recipes special: unique ingredients, personal inventions, or cherished family traditions passed down through generations.

If you’re more of an enthusiastic eater, showcasing your favorite restaurants and signature dishes there is another engaging path.

The possibilities extend far beyond restaurants: candy-making adventures, conquering vegan meals, exploring Japanese cuisine, or even the joys of your personal herb garden are all potential topics. As long as you have a passion for food, you’ve got a fantastic Pecha Kucha theme waiting to be explored!

Remember to be mindful of your audience. Avoid graphic depictions of violence, especially if you know there are vegans or vegetarians present. Pictures of slaughtered animals or culturally sensitive foods are best left out. With a little planning, your food-themed Pecha Kucha presentation is sure to be a delicious success!

3. Share Your Thoughts About the Future

Next up, we have a future-focused theme! This is a fantastic opportunity to unleash your creativity. Imagine how air travel might operate in 40 years, or how kitchen tools might evolve in the next century.

The possibilities are endless! You could explore how advancements in electricity, phones, makeup, books, or even security might reshape society within the next few decades. This approach resonates with audiences because they enjoy journeying into the future with you.

Finding visuals for your wildest ideas might be tricky, but that’s where some creativity comes in again! Doodle your visions on paper, scan them, and use those as slides in your Pecha Kucha presentation.

Have a unique hobby like stamp collecting, embroidery, or maybe even video games? The more unusual your passion, the more your audience will want to hear about it!

Use your slides to tell the story of your hobby. How did you discover it? What keeps you engaged? Where do you see yourself continuing this journey in the years to come?

Don’t forget to share a personal touch! Does your family support your hobby or find it a bit strange? Have you had any funny experiences related to your passion?

The beauty of a hobby-focused Pecha Kucha is that the visuals are likely already at your fingertips. Capture photos of your collections, document your outdoor adventures, or utilize your photography skills to create compelling slides.

5. Explore Satire

Satire as a Pecha Kucha topic might not be for everyone. However, if you’re passionate about it, this format allows you to explore its potential in a fun and engaging way. Just remember to set the tone from the start, letting the audience know you’re using satire.

For a balanced approach, consider poking fun at yourself alongside your targets. This lightens the mood and avoids negativity. Keep the humor simple – remember, you only have twenty seconds per slide!

Pets are a popular theme for PechaKucha presentations for several reasons. Pet ownership is widespread, making it a relatable topic for both pet owners and non-owners. Sharing simple anecdotes about your pet is a great way to fill a single slide, while longer stories can be spread across multiple slides.

While classic pets like dogs and cats are always interesting, presenting about more unusual companions can be particularly engaging. The audience’s natural curiosity draws them to learn about unfamiliar experiences, allowing them to vicariously share your adventures with your unique pet. Additionally, pet owners often have a wealth of photos to use as visuals in their presentations.

7. Talk About Your Profession

Pecha Kucha presentations thrive on personal stories. They’re a chance to share your professional life in a way that’s engaging and memorable.

Think about those presentations you’ve given for work – the ones packed with details for clients or colleagues. Now imagine transforming those slides. Strip away anything confidential and inject some fun! What about including stories of interesting experiences, even mistakes that became valuable lessons? This can create a truly captivating Pecha Kucha presentation.

Instead of targeting business partners or clients, consider explaining your work to a unique audience – a 90-year-old grandmother and a 10-year-old nephew, both listening at once. Wouldn’t that spark the need for more visuals? Photos are important in Pecha Kucha presentations. Feel free to incorporate personal photos – selfies, old pictures, even shots of past workplaces (as long as they don’t violate copyright). Ultimately, choose visuals that you yourself would find interesting as an audience member.

8. Talk about Your Emotions and How to Control Them

Pecha Kucha presentations are a great platform to explore emotions. They allow you to delve into your own experiences with different feelings, both positive and negative.

Fear, anger, jealousy – these are just a few examples of emotions you might choose to explore. Perhaps you have a specific emotion you’d like to learn how to manage better. On the other hand, you could focus on the positive side of things – sharing the joy of laughter, the power of love, or the importance of caring.

Remember, with negative emotions, it’s helpful to explore their causes and potential downsides, but also offer tips on how to manage them effectively. For positive emotions, highlight the contrast with negative feelings and emphasize the benefits they bring, not just to yourself, but to others as well.

The challenge lies in finding visuals. Common emotions like happiness or sadness are easy to illustrate, but how do you picture anger or greed? For these complex emotions, consider storytelling and depicting situations where they arise. Text-based slides with quotes can also be helpful, although keep them limited to maintain visual engagement.

9. Create a List

Create a list of “ten, fifteen, or twenty” things related to a theme. This could be anything – your top ten favorite songs, twenty must-see movies, or even something more unique, like fifteen fascinating but poisonous plants.

The number you choose determines how you structure your presentation. Ten items allow two slides each for detailed exploration. Fifteen items provide space for an intro, conclusion, and one slide per remaining topic. Twenty items get a single slide spotlight each.

To add depth, consider including inspirational quotes related to your chosen theme. Spruce up your visuals with anything that grabs your attention: pictures, doodles, newspaper snippets, quotes, charts, tables, or even maps. Feel free to mix and match these elements, just be sure to respect copyrights.

10. Talk About the Things One Should Avoid Doing

Sharing your own mistakes might sound surprising, but it’s a powerful strategy. By admitting we’ve all stumbled, you connect with the audience on a human level. It shows you’ve learned from your experiences and can offer valuable insights to help them avoid pitfalls.

Remember, everyone is an expert in something. Those skills likely came with some missteps along the way. Talk about those “stepping stones” – the mistakes you made and how they propelled you forward. By focusing on these experiences, you offer your audience actionable advice to prevent similar stumbles in their own journeys.

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Closing Thoughts

Pecha Kucha presentations offer a refreshing alternative to traditional presentations. The fast-paced format forces clarity, keeps the audience engaged, and allows you to showcase your passion in a creative and memorable way.

So, ditch the lengthy bullet points and explore the possibilities! Whether you share your travel adventures, delve into the future, or simply explore your favorite hobby, Pecha Kucha presentations are a platform to unleash your inner storyteller.

Now get out there and start crafting your own captivating 20×20 presentation!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do i prepare for a pecha kucha presentation.

Start by selecting a clear and compelling topic that can be effectively conveyed in 20 slides. Then, outline your key points and design visuals that complement your message. Practice timing your presentation to ensure each slide aligns with the 20-second limit.

Can I use Pecha Kucha for any type of presentation?

While Pecha Kucha is versatile and can be adapted to various topics, it’s best suited for presentations that require brevity and visual storytelling. It may not be ideal for highly technical or complex subjects that require in-depth explanation.

Can I use animation or video in my Pecha Kucha slides?

While animation and video can enhance your presentation, keep in mind the 20-second limit per slide. Use them sparingly and ensure they contribute to your narrative without overshadowing your spoken words.

Can I use Pecha Kucha for online presentations or webinars?

Yes, Pecha Kucha can be adapted for online presentations or webinars, but make sure to test your technology beforehand and practice speaking clearly and confidently.

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Pecha Kucha Presentations: The Ultimate Guide to Engaging Presentations

Dive into the world of Pecha Kucha and discover how this unique presentation format can transform your storytelling and audience engagement. Find out how this innovative presentation format can help you convey ideas more effectively and keep your audience hooked from start to finish.

What’s a Rich Text element?

The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.

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A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!

5 Static and dynamic content editing

6 static and dynamic content editing.

A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any pa ge and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!

How to customize formatting for each rich text

Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.

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How attentive is your audience? Some of you may say that it depends on a variety of factors, but we have a surprise for you – most of the viewers are less attentive than a goldfish. You've read it right. According to recent studies, the average human attention span is around 8 seconds . What's more important is that it is dropping as we stride into the brighter future.

Pecha Kucha presentation is your chance to make the most of the time to deliver the main message and leave a lasting impression. Why is that? The concept of Pecha Kucha relies on dynamic and engaging presentation. It is a perfect case of where less is more.

Pecha Kucha is a Japanese presentation style and literally translates as "chit-chat." The main task of the presenter is to dilute a complex concept into small, digestible bits that capture the audience. Today, we'll discuss the main pillars the format relies on, present effective tips, and outline the shady areas to stand away from. If you want to master the art of concise communication – you have come to the right place!

The Essence of Pecha Kucha Presentations

Many professional presentation design services and reliable corporations use Pecha Kucha presentations because of the perks it has over traditional presentation styles. First things first, the style has a well-defined time frame and layout – 20 slides, 20 seconds per each. All in all, you have 6 minutes and 40 seconds to introduce and explain your ideas so that they leave a lasting impact.

While it may seem like an impossible mission to fill the whole presentation in such a short period, we want to stress that Pecha Kucha relies on the visual aspect of the presentation. It takes a well-chosen and compelling image to complete or support the primary narrative. Here comes the second critical component of this presentation format – a resonating story.

Advantages of Pecha Kucha style presentation

Pecha Kucha format comes with multiple perks and benefits. They are the following:

• No room for digressions. All the points are delivered with clarity, conciseness, and impact.
• Creative thinking and innovative means of presenting complex concepts and ideas.
• A fresh alternative to longer presentations .
• Limited chance of deviation while presenting for the speaker.

History and Evolution of Pecha Kucha

The first Pecha Kucha presentation example ever was delivered in Tokyo at the art space – SuperDelux. The two devout architects – Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham – wanted to share the work of their colleagues creatively and concisely. They gave each presenter a chance to share their thoughts and ideas through dynamic presentations. The strict time frame was used to ensure that even the most complicated ideas weren't lost on the audience.

Since the first Pecha Kucha Night turned out to be a success, the founders decided to repeat them on a regular basis. As the word about the innovative presentation style spread, other communities around the world started to test the format. Starting off as a one-time thing, originating from a creative hub, the Pecha Kucha style has taken over countless industries. All because of the conciseness and creative take on traditional communication and delivery of innovative concepts and solutions.

How to Create a Compelling Pecha Kucha Presentation

Effective examples of Pecha Kucha presentations usually rely on three main pillars:

Let's discuss these primary aspects of the presentation in detail, shall we?

Content Suggestions

One of the main elements of a successful slide deck presentation is relevant content. Whitepage experts have rounded up the most effective planning tips that will help you deliver the primary message.

• Point out the main idea you want to focus on. Outline the most critical details that you want to share to keep the message concise but informative.
• Build a compelling narrative that intensifies emotional connection with the audience. You can use personal stories, anecdotes, and witty metaphors to keep the viewers interested and engaged.
• The visual component of a Pecha Kucha slideshow is critical for a lasting impression. So, you should ensure relevant and high-quality visualization, whether you use images, videos, or graphics.
• Minimize the use of text on your slides. It takes a lot longer for the audience to process loads of text, and you are limited in time.

Pecha Kucha is surely a short presentation, but it does not mean that you don't have to practice the delivery to make sure that everything goes as planned, and here's why:

• You are on the clock. Relevant rehearsals will help you define if you can make it within the given period. You must present all the planned information so that there are no holes in your story.
• You get more confident . Practice helps you to work on your presentation body language so that you can intensify the lasting effect without saying a word. The more confident you get, the smoother the actual presentation will be.
• You will eliminate weak spots. Presenting without the pressure of the actual audience will help you define problem zones that can be fixed. You may spot some weak wording or unnecessary details that take up time without bearing any significant role.

Engagement 

Pecha Kucha's presentation format implies audience interaction. Surely, you can't spend much time on engagement, but there are a few practical tricks you can use:

• Make eye contact with the audience to build an individual bond with the viewers.
• Work on positive body language that instills confidence and enthusiasm.
• Spice your presentation with good humor to lighten up the mood. Timely jokes will surely break the ice and make your delivery memorable.
• Don't hide your passion. Enthusiasm can be contagious. Once the audience starts to feel your energy, they will follow your lead and pay attention to everything that you are willing to share.

Examples of Successful Pecha Kucha Presentations

Real-life Pecha Kucha presentation examples always contain the inspiration that theory lacks. We've gathered a couple of successful Pecha Kucha presentations you may find interesting while working on your project.

Let's Put More Joy into Our Lives and Work - Eyoälha Baker's Health Care Pecha Kucha

In this Pecha Kucha presentation, Eyoälha Baker , a dedicated artist, shares her thoughts about the future of health care. She delivers a self-based presentation that tells her story, which is filled with ups and downs. The personal narrative, open and friendly body language, and pace of the presentation make it resonate with every member of the audience. Eyoälha Baker crafts a captivating narrative with a clear and concise introduction, a middle part, and a grand finale. The artist bases her presentation on an intense feeling – a feeling of vulnerability – and shares her emotions openly, which warms up the audience and leaves a desired and genuine impact.

Let's Promote Wellness in Patients – Mark Holder's Health Care Pecha Kucha

Dr. Mark Holder is a famous teacher and researcher who has dedicated his life to the science of happiness. His Pecha Kucha presentation differs from the one we've discussed above. Instead of relying solely on personal experiences, the professor captures the audience's attention through corresponding visuals that resonate with his speech. Dr. Holder maintains a steady flow of the presentation that allows the viewers to submerge into the narrative. Although the topic of the presentation is quite serious, the speaker uses timely jokes supported by real-life stories and matching images to lighten up the mood without deviating from the subject.

Tips for Mastering the Pecha Kucha Format

The best Pecha Kucha presentations are an expert mixture of dedication, creativity, practice, and skill. Surely, it is an easy task for a professional pitch deck design company , but if you are new to the field, you may require some practical advice on how to master this presentation style.

• Start with a story. A compelling story based on the central message of your presentation will engage the audience and keep them alert, let alone thirsty for more.
• Aim for balance . Your speech should be in perfect harmony with the visual aid. Moreover, the visuals you use should correlate with one another, complement one another, and be stylized accordingly.
• Find your pace . You have 20 seconds for a slide, but that does not mean that you should be in a rush. All you have to do is define a piece of information to deliver during the given period without speeding or dragging. You can use pauses to stress important points.
• Practice, practice, practice . Make as many rehearsals as needed. Ask your friends and colleagues to provide feedback on your presentation. Use a timer to make sure you stay within a 20-second range while delivering. Add revisions to your presentation before you present the final copy.
• ‍ Always be prepared . Sometimes, things don't go as smoothly as you've expected, no matter the amount of practice. Technical issues arise and whatnot. You have to be ready to adapt and improvise. Work on your focus and confidence, not to mention the material for the presentation.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Pecha Kucha Presentations

Just as it helps to know how to make a presentation outline , it is useful to be familiar with the common pitfalls to avoid. There are a few mistakes you may want to steer clear of when working on your Pecha Kucha presentation. They are the following:

• Clutter . Whether the first, middle, or presentation final slide you are working on, none should be overcrowded. Minimize the textual component of the slide and bet on the visual impact.
• Timing . You have 20 seconds at your disposal – no more, no less. Don't ignore the rule, or you will disrupt the whole pace of the presentation, which will negatively affect viewer perception.
• Practice . No matter how well you know the material, you should rehearse the presentation to ensure that everything runs smoothly, including but not limited to timing, pace, and transition.
• Interaction . Even if you know how to speak eloquently , you must establish a strong connection with the audience. A smile here, a joke there, direct eye contact, and relaxed body language will keep the viewers alert and attentive.

Pecha Kucha for Business and Education

We've mentioned that initially, Pecha Kucha slides were only for the creative circles. However, these days, the format is widely used throughout the business and education field, and for a good reason.Pecha Kucha's ideas have found their place in the business environment primarily because of their conciseness and effective time management. You can use the presentation style to deliver various updates and progress and even share new ideas. The format allows it to cut a complex concept into tiny, digestible pieces, which makes it easier to absorb and provoke a desired reaction.As for the educational sphere, Pecha Kucha projects suit lecture formats perfectly. You can introduce new, complicated topics to the students without overwhelming them with the complexity of the subject. Besides, students can use the style to deliver their projects as well. The tight time frame teaches students how to use their time effectively and how to figure out the main points and deliver them.

What is a Pecha Kucha presentation? It is a dynamic mini-presentation that offers a chance to deliver an important message concisely and with an impact. Whether you plan on pitching an innovative solution to investors, sharing critical updates on your business project, or want to introduce a new subject to your students – Pecha Kucha is the format to refer to.We've shared handy tips, provided inspiring examples, and outlined critical mistakes to avoid when working on a Pecha Kucha presentation, but the style is trickier than it seems. If you want to save time and effort, it is always a good idea to entrust the task into the hands of trained professionals. The Whitepage team is only a call away!Care to learn how to make handouts for a presentation , choose the best font size for presentations , and master the art of an accessible presentation ? Check out our Blog section!

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How to Craft a Highly Effective Pecha Kucha Presentation

With their concise format and dynamic style, Pecha Kucha presentations have become increasingly popular in various fields, from design and architecture to business and education. Originating from Japan, the Pecha Kucha format challenges presenters to deliver their message in a visually engaging manner. 

In this article, we’ll explore the key principles and strategies for creating a highly effective Pecha Kucha presentation that captivates audiences and leaves a lasting impression.

Understanding the Pecha Kucha Format

Pecha Kucha, which translates to “chit-chat” in Japanese, follows a simple yet structured format: twenty slides, each displayed for twenty seconds, resulting in a combined presentation time of 6 minutes and 40 seconds. This format forces presenters to distill their message to its essence, focusing on clarity, brevity, and visual impact.

The brevity of the Pecha Kucha format challenges presenters to communicate their ideas succinctly and effectively. With only 20 seconds per slide, there is no room for long-winded explanations or unnecessary details. This laser-focused approach keeps audiences engaged and ensures that the presentation delivers maximum impact in a short amount of time.

Moreover, the structured nature of the Pecha Kucha format encourages presenters to maintain a steady pace and rhythm throughout their presentations. With each slide automatically advancing after 20 seconds, presenters must maintain momentum and keep the presentation flowing smoothly.

Tips to Craft a Stunning Pecha Kucha Presentation

1. define your message.

The first step in crafting a Pecha Kucha presentation is clearly and concisely defining your message. Identify the critical points you want to convey and structure your presentation around them. 

Remember that each slide should communicate one idea or concept, supported by concise text and compelling visuals. Avoid cluttering your slides with too much information or overwhelming graphics, as simplicity is critical.

2. Commence with Storyboarding

Storyboarding is a vital step in the creation process. It helps you visualize the flow of your presentation and ensure coherence and continuity. 

Plan the sequence of your slides, providing a logical progression of ideas and flawless transitions between topics. Once you have finalized your storyboard, rehearse and practice your presentation multiple times to improve and refine your delivery, timing, and pacing. 

Practice speaking confidently and fluently within the 20-second time limit for each slide, aiming for a smooth and polished delivery on the presentation day.

3 . Create Engaging Visuals

Visuals are central in Pecha Kucha presentations, serving as the primary means of communication and engagement. Choose high-quality images, graphics, and videos that complement your message and enhance understanding. Keep text to a minimum, using keywords or short phrases to reinforce key points. Incorporate eye-catching visuals, color schemes, and design elements to capture the audience’s attention and convey your message effectively.

4. Think Outside the Box

One of the hallmarks of Pecha Kucha presentations is creativity, innovation, and outside-the-box thinking. Embrace the opportunity to experiment with unconventional formats, storytelling techniques, and presentation styles that showcase your personality and perspective. 

Consider incorporating interactive elements, live demonstrations, or props to add depth and interest to your presentation. Remember that Pecha Kucha is as much about creativity and expression as it is about information sharing, so do not be afraid to let your imagination run wild.

5. Engage the Audience

Audience engagement is key to a successful Pecha Kucha presentation. Encourage interaction and participation by asking thought-provoking questions, soliciting feedback, or inviting audience members to share their experiences or insights about your topic. Maintain eye contact , use expressive gestures, and speak enthusiastically to keep your viewers invested.

6. Maintain Consistency

Establishing consistency in design elements such as font, colors, and layout is crucial for a mesmerizing experience for your viewers. With the rapid pace of Pecha Kucha presentations, consistency helps ensure that your audience can quickly absorb and understand the information presented without being distracted.

However, it may seem tedious to ensure consistency if you craft slides from scratch. Thus, you can use pre-designed PowerPoint templates and make your presentation look visually consistent, engaging, and professional.

Benefits of Pecha Kucha Presentations

A). cuts through the noise.

In a world inundated with information, brevity is not just appreciated; it is essential. Pecha Kucha presentations cut through the noise, offering a streamlined format that delivers maximum impact in minimum time. By dividing complex concepts into bite-sized chunks, presenters ensure their message is clear, memorable, and easily digestible for audiences with limited attention spans.

b). Keeps the Audience Actively Involved

Pecha Kucha presentations are like a whirlwind tour of inspiration, keeping the audience alert with their fast-paced rhythm and dynamic visuals. With no time for distractions, audiences are drawn into the narrative, eagerly anticipating what is next and actively participating in the presentation journey.

c). Creates a Canvas for Creativity

In the world of Pecha Kucha, there are no boundaries, only possibilities waiting to be found. Presenters are encouraged to think outside the box, pushing through the limits of imagination. Whether through clever storytelling, innovative design, or unexpected twists, Pecha Kucha presentations are all about creativity, where ideas take flight and imagination knows no bounds.

d). Increases Time Efficiency

Time is precious, and Pecha Kucha presentations respect that. With a strict time limit of 6 minutes and 40 seconds, presenters must make every second count, delivering their message with precision and purpose. This efficiency makes Pecha Kucha presentations ideal for busy professionals, conference attendees, and anyone seeking knowledge in a condensed and digestible format.

e). Opportunity for Networking

Beyond the presentation, Pecha Kucha events are a hub of collaboration, bringing together diverse minds and perspectives from across industries and disciplines. Presenters can connect with like-minded individuals, forge new partnerships, and spark meaningful conversations that extend far beyond the confines of the presentation stage.

f). Skill Development

Presenting in the Pecha Kucha format is not just about sharing ideas but also about honing essential communication and presentation skills. From crafting a compelling narrative to delivering it with confidence and flair, presenters develop valuable skills that translate seamlessly to the workplace and beyond. Whether pitching a new project, delivering a keynote speech, or simply sharing ideas with colleagues, the skills acquired through Pecha Kucha presentations are invaluable assets in today’s fast-paced world.

Creating a highly effective Pecha Kucha presentation requires careful planning, creativity, and practice. By understanding the format and embracing creativity and innovation, presenters can deliver impactful presentations that inform, inspire, and entertain. Whether presenting at a conference, pitch competition, or team meeting, mastering the art of Pecha Kucha can enhance your skills and help you become a better presenter.

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• Effective Teaching Strategies

Tips for Pecha Kucha Presentations

• July 3, 2024
• John Orlando, PhD

The Pecha Kucha presentation style is gaining interest in education. It has many beneficial aspects for students and educators alike.

What is a Pecha Kucha Presentation?

This style requires that a speaker use 20 images, each lasting 20 seconds, to deliver a presentation. This makes the presentation closer to a TedTalk than the usual Death by PowerPoint. The speaker is forced to move out of the covering content mentality to the communicating mentality that makes TedTalks so interesting. This is done not just by shortening the length of the talk, but also by timing the images. 

With only 20 seconds per image, students are less likely to turn their backs on the audience to read bullet points and more likely to speak directly to the audience while using imagery to amplify the message, which is the true use of visuals.

Pecha Kucha Example

For instance, a speaker discussing the Eiffel Tower might talk about its height. But instead of just listing its height with a bullet point, the speaker might show an image of it next to other structures at the time, such as the pyramids, to make the point that it was the tallest structure in the world when built. The speaker might then note that it has since been eclipsed by numerous other structures and illustrate how much taller buildings are now with a graphic showing the tower next to more recent structures. Now, instead of regurgitating a number that will not be remembered one minute after it is spoken, the speaker is focusing on the relevance of the tower and its place in history. 

Thus, the image and transition requirements force the speaker to consider what is important in the information and how to communicate that to the audience in a way that will be understood and remembered.

Pecha Kucha for Online Classes

The technique is primarily used in education for student presentations, but there is no reason an instructor cannot use it for his or her own presentations as well. 

The Pecha Kucha method is ideal for an introductory video in an online class that motivates participation in a module by explaining why the topic is important and what students should get out of class material. The instructor will be forced to focus on relevance, just as students are when doing a presentation.

Digital Storytelling

Pecha Kucha in an online class uses the “digital storytelling” video method I have discussed previously ( Online Classroom , June 2017), where the creator records the audio first and then adds images to match the spoken words. See that article for guidance on making these types of videos. Students in online classes can then post their creations to the learning management system if it has that capability or to an outside hosting site such as Google Drive, Dropbox, YouTube, Vimeo, or others and provide the class with a link to it.  

Tips for your Pecha Kucha Presentation

Instructors should provide some coaching to students on the technique when assigning a Pecha Kucha presentation. Following are some important points to bring up when explaining how to create an effective and engaging presentation with this method.

Choose Images Wisely

As noted, one important guideline is that visuals are not for projecting your notes—they are not public 3 × 5 cards—they are for illustrating your points with images. 

Only Mention Relevant Content

The instructor should also remind students to focus on relevance, not simply list facts. Why is the height of the Eiffel Tower relevant? Maybe civilizations built tall monuments to display their power, which is why the tallest structures were once in Egypt—the greatest civilization at the time—then in Europe and then the United States. Now the tallest buildings are in the Middle East and East Asia; what might that represent?

Choose an Interesting Opener

Most importantly, communication begins with capturing your listener’s attention, be it a friend, class, or auditorium, so students need to consider how to grab and hold their audience’s attention. What opening will pique the listener’s interest? This skill will serve them well in the future.

Don’t be too Strict with the 20-second Limit

Finally, students will need to be coached on how to deal with the 20-second image limit. While the format helps cut out the clutter and get straight to the point of a presentation, Pecha Kucha should not artificially restrain or elongate points to match the visuals. It is a mistake to make each point exactly 20 seconds long, no matter how important. 

Instead, if a point needs 60 seconds to make, the presenter should simply choose three images in sequence to illustrate how it develops. 

A point about human diversity might start with an image of a crowd, then of distinct individuals, then of a small number of individuals from different cultures. In this way, the time restriction can aid cognition by generating new insights. 

We generally think that our ideas should not be influenced by delivery technique, but in reality the medium always influences thinking. Just as a page limit on an article influences its focus and direction, limits on presentation style will influence the thinking that goes into it, and this is a strength of the medium.

Take a look at these two good resources for more ideas on how to use Pecha Kucha in your classes.

Richard Edwards provides excellent advice to teachers and students in Pecha Kucha in the Classroom: Tips and Strategies for Better Presentations at http://bit.ly/1ySJiUd  

The Pecha Kucha website has numerous high-quality examples to get the creative juices flowing at http://www.pechakucha.org/watch  

This article first appeared in  The Teaching Professor  on June 26, 2017 © Magna Publications. All rights reserved.

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• PowerPoint and Presenting Stuff

10 Tips for Pecha Kucha

A few days ago, our PowerPoint and Presenting Stuff LinkedIn group had a great discussion on Pecha Kucha . It started with one of our members asking for some guidance on how to go about preparing for a Pecha Kucha presentation. To those of you who do not know what Pecha Kucha is, it is a presentation format that originated in Japan in the year 2003. In Japanese, Pecha Kucha translates to chit-chat or chatter. On this page, we will explore the ten best Pecha Kucha tips.

Each Pecha Kucha speaker presents with a deck of 20 slides (or images). Each of these slides progresses automatically to the next one, after being visible onscreen for 20 seconds. This is the reason why Pecha Kucha is often known as 20×20.

That’s a total time of fewer than 7 minutes and explains why most Pecha Kucha slides are more visual than text-laden. Text-heavy slides would take much more time to explain than the allocated 20 seconds, and will also get the audience reading the text rather than giving their undivided attention to the Pecha Kucha presenter.

Getting back to the question about how you can prepare a better Pecha Kucha presentation, the forum responses did bring in some awesome answers. With the permission of those who responded, I’ve compiled this list of 10 tips that will help you prepare for a better Pecha Kucha presentation.

1. Choose a Simple Topic

Many times, presenters get tempted to choose complicated topics that need so many facts to be explained even before you get to the topic. Let’s face it – not everything in this world is simple enough to be explained in less than 7 minutes. But you can simplify your topic, or you can choose another topic that is simple enough to be explained within that time frame.

Once you have chosen a topic, leave out the un-required and focus on your message – you should be able to condense the gist of your entire message in one, simple line. Then elaborate as required.

You May Also Like: Ten Easy Topics for Pecha Kucha

2. Start With an Outline

As with generic presentations that are not limited to Pecha Kucha’s 20×20 rule, you should start with an outline. You can call your outline a structure, a story, etc. Charles Greene III prefers to call the outline an “analog”. He uses 3 x 5-inch note cards for his main ideas. He restricts to one idea per card, thus each card represents a potential slide. Under each main idea, he jots 3 quick sentences about that idea.

Using cards is a great idea – but if you want, you can even use some paper sheets, PostIt notes, an iPad or tablet, or even Microsoft Word, Evernote, or OneNote. Work with whichever medium makes you feel comfortable, as long as you end up with a rough outline.

3. Tweak Your Outline

It’s now time to reorder the content in your outline. Then remove what is not required – you may also want to combine some parts of the outline into one slide or divide others as required. Whatever you do, think about your audience – you must include what they would like to hear rather than what you want to say.

Charles Greene III adds about how he works with his note cards: “The cards were sorted, shifted and removed until I had my final 20 slides that told my story. Strong visual images were selected to go with each topic. I developed my story flow from the note cards”.

4. Make Your Slides

You are now ready to import your outline into PowerPoint or any other slide program. PowerPoint can import outlines to create slides, but even if you do not want to import your outline, you can still create slides from your text content.

Most often, your text content will be restricted to your slide titles. You should end up with 20 slides. Play and watch them. Do the slides build up well with your message, one after the other? If the answer is no, then go back and redo them until you are happy. There’s no sense in moving beyond this step unless you are happy with the content and sequencing of your slides.

5. Add Pictures

Add pictures to your slides that are relevant to what you will speak about. Ric Bretschneider, formerly Senior Program Manager for PowerPoint at Microsoft advises: “Pictures! Graphics! Even black slides! Text used sparingly. The most successful Pecha Kuchas don’t use much if any text.”

6. Practice

Then practice as much as you can. And practice again.

Charles adds: “I found that even with the little information that I had chosen to say, it was too much. In actual performance, the flow is very quick. To not have the sense that I was racing toward the 6minute 40-second mark, I had to take out some words. I also had three slides towards the end that covered one topic. This gave me a place where I could “hover” to adjust my timing and flow. I highly suggest a “hover” space.”

Ric adds: “Do practice so you know one or two points that each slide brings to your story naturally. You can perform free-form easy if you know what you absolutely need to include to support your upcoming points.”

7. To Animate or Not?

You’ll have to make a decision about this one; whether you should animate objects on your slide, or not. Also, do you want to use slide transitions? Any animation is a movement, and movement pulls the eye of the audience away from you to the slides. 20 seconds is too short a time for them to refocus on you during that particular slide, and that explains why you must decide whether animation will add value to your slide, or otherwise.

Ric adds: “Do not animate. Aside from potentially messing your timings up, animations are an unanticipated pause in your presentation while another point is disclosed. Your slides are bite-sized enough, use them exclusively for disclosure. OK, that said you can break that rule if you aren’t using the animation to break out talking points, more ambient animation. But even so, challenge the assumption that you need to do that because you do lose the audience a little each time they have to analyze a change to your visual.”

8. Practice Again

Yes, it is time to practice again. With less than 7 minutes to present, you can afford to practice more often. Even if you end up using 2 or 3 minutes more in a Pecha Kucha presentation, that won’t be acceptable or even possible using the format. So you must have time on your side, right down to the minutest level. That sort of sync with your slides can only be achieved with repeated practice.

Charles adds: “Afterthoughts — Practice, practice, practice! That’s the only way to get the presentation to flow like a conversation. Give some “performance” to the presentation. Be a bit dramatic. Add your own personal flair. Hopefully, you are presenting a topic that you care about as your personal love for the subject will make a difference. Oh, did I mention practice?”

9. Love Your Audience

Ric raised a very significant issue, about being human with your audience.

He added: “With all this focus on the mechanical and your presence it’s easy to forget to really talk to the audience. Make contact, converse, be warm, and be human. It’s one of the more intimate presentation styles if you let it be.”

10. Everything Else, and More Pecha Kucha Tips

You already heard about the benefits of practicing but remember to let your free flow work as well — depend 80% on practice and a script, but let the other 20% of being free within a framework also work for you! So in effect, you will know your slides like the back of your hand, but you should be able to move your hands as you like.

Ric adds one last thing: “Find out if your start and end slides are considered part of the pres. Just something to know.” Also, there are lots of videos from Ric’s Pecha Kucha events on the San Jose site . Ric mentioned that Indezine readers in Silicon Valley are welcome to contact him if they want to try out Pecha Kucha in an upcoming event.

Charles provided a link to his Pecha Kucha presentation on YouTube .

See Also: Preparing for Ignite or Pecha Kucha: Conversation with Yancey Unequivocally | Resonate on iPad: A Book That’s Now Become an Experience

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Learn about Pecha Kucha presentation

The following article will put a stop to your never-ending quest for cooler, more effective and more engaging presentations with the popular presentation format called Pecha Kucha, which is a fast, engaging and effective way to deliver succinct and impactful information.

Though there are loads of and ways to communicate your ideas, but the most revolutionary is the  Pecha Kucha  format.

Pecha Kucha is simple layout that asks the speaker to present against a backdrop of twenty slides, each changing every twenty seconds. 

• What is Pecha Kucha
• Why create format

What is Pecha Kucha night?

Creating a pecha kucha presentation.

• Links for reference for Pecha Kucha presentation

What is Pecha Kucha?

Pecha Kucha is a special style of presentation that involves short, powerful messages, where a presenter shows 20 slides for 20 seconds of commentary each (6 minutes and 40 seconds total).

The images advance automatically and you talk in synchrony to the images. Therefore, it’s sometimes called a 20×20 presentation. Since each Pecha Kucha presentation consists of 20 images shown for 20 seconds each – they will auto-advance as a slideshow, so there is no going back, pausing, or skipping around.

 Its translated as “chit-chat” or “the sound of conversation” in Japanese and created by two architects, Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham of Tokyo’s Klein-Dytham Architecture (KDa ) in 2003 who were inspired by the idea of “talk less, show more”. The first Pecha Kucha Night was held in Tokyo in their gallery/lounge/bar/club/creative kitchen, SuperDeluxe, in February, 2003.

 Klein Dytham architecture still organize and support the global Pecha Kucha Night network and organize Pecha Kucha Night Tokyo. It’s quite similar to a haiku poem in terms of its composition.

Here are few examples of Pecha Kucha presentations https://www.pechakucha.com/presentations

Why create Pecha Kucha format?

Because architects talk too much, like any other creative person, can go on forever once handed over a microphone and images to present.  So the basis of Pecha Kucha is presenting 20 images, each for 20 seconds a piece the kicker is that the slides advance automatically to discourage rambling and to keep the presenter on track. The presentations are concise, specific and powerful.

If you consider some of the downsides of traditional presentations and how easy it is to lose the audience’s interest, the benefits of Pecha Kucha are more apparent. For presenters, the format is predetermined so a lot of the guess work is taken out of building a talk. For the audience, every 20 seconds the slides, and therefore the ideas, advance, meaning it’s easier to stay engaged and attentive.

Here’s a link on how to make efficient use of the time spent on a presentation as of industry standard and you can notice the attention span is decreasing day by day thus Peach Kucha also gaining popularity

Originally started in Tokyo, Pecha Kucha has spread through the idea of the Pecha Kucha Night™, which is a fun and informal gathering where creative people come together and on any topics such as travels, research projects, student projects, hobbies, collections, or other interests in the Pecha Kucha 20×20 format.

These informal get-togethers have reached nearly 700 cities in the world and give anyone a platform to share their work, ideas or whatever they’re passionate about.

 A typical Pecha Kucha Night (PKN) normally includes 8 to 14 presentations. Organizers in some cities have customized their own format.

 For example, in  Groningen, Netherlands, two six-minute, 40-second presentation slots are given to a live band, and the final 20 seconds of each presentation includes an immediate critique of the presentation by the host’s sidekicks.

Another such example of a Pecha Kucha night held in Mumbai is in the link

This is how you can prepare a Pecha Kucha presentation and improve your presentation.

1. Choosing a topic

If you’re a beginner start out with a topic you love or are passionate about. This way not only will your passion shine through your presentation but also motivate you and make it more personal.

Many times, presenters get tempted to choose complicated topics that need so many facts to be explained even before you get to the topic.

 Let’s face it – not everything in this world is simple enough to be explained in less than 7 minutes. But you can simplify your topic, or you can choose another topic that is simple enough to be explained within that time frame.

Once you have chosen a topic, leave out the un-required and focus on your message – you should be able to condense the gist of your entire message in one, simple line. Then elaborate as required.

2. Creating an outline

Once you’ve decided on the topic, you should start with an outline. You can call your outline a structure, a story, etc.

Think about the main points you want to make about it. These will likely guide what your images will be. It’s suggested that you write down the two key points you want to make for each slide and try to stick to that.

 You can make use of paper sheets, PostIt notes, an iPad or tablet, or even Microsoft Word, Evernote, or OneNote. Work with whichever medium makes you feel comfortable, as long as you end up with a rough outline.

Outlining will help streamline your content and focus on the most important points of your message.

3. Creating slides

Once you’re done with outlining, import your outline into PowerPoint or any other slide program. PowerPoint can import outlines to create slides, but even if you do not want to import your outline, you can still create slides from your text content.

Keep it simple without the use of texts, bullet points or facts and figures. You The key point of a successful Pecha Kucha is the strong, impactful and striking images along with the speak over.

Check out this link on how to cut down on texts used in a ppt

4. Images  

Images are the key to an effective Pecha Kucha talk. Try to find images that are illustrations or metaphors of your key points and / or use words as image.

This makes delivery of your presentation much easier, as you’re not trying to race through a list of points. It also makes your presentation more engaging. The images you choose should reinforce your ideas. Make sure your images are high quality and that you have permission to use them. You can reach to professional agency for designing PowerPoint presentation if you are participating in high stake meeting

5. Practice

Practice, practice, practice! That’s the only way to get the presentation to flow like a conversation. Practice really makes the difference and it is okay to have notes.

The best way to get rid of those nerves and build confidence for speaking in front of a group is to practice your presentation several times. You can either learn your speech by heart, word to word or understand the meaning of each slide and talk about it naturally.

Though you may be tempted to fit as much words as possible in the 20 seconds per slide time limit try to keep your voice natural and calm at an appropriate pace with the audience. Remember Pecha Kucha is a space for creativity.

Links for reference  

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PechaKucha
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wq1Jnx51pW0
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32WEzM3LFhw

Tips For Giving Your First PechaKucha Presentation

The average human attention span is eight seconds. That’s shorter than the average attention span of a goldfish, and probably less time than it would take to introduce yourself on stage. In a survey, 4 out of 5 professionals claimed that they shift their focus away from the presenter during any given presentation they’re watching. If you’re going to lose your audience before you even really begin, what’s the point? In an effort to be more successful, presenters are constantly testing new formats to package their message in a way that both resonates with their audience, and keeps them engaged from slide to slide.

Basically, we’re all trying to solve the infamous “death by PowerPoint”? The solution: Beautiful.ai meets PechaKucha.

PechaKucha is a presentation format that has been adopted by many. From PechaKucha nights with friends, to new curriculum standards at universities, PechaKucha has changed the way people present. But what is it, exactly?

What is PechaKucha?

Not to be confused with Pikachu (any Pokémon fans out there?), PechaKucha— which is Japanese for chit-chat— is a particular presentation style. In 2003, architects Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham of Tokyo’s Klein Dytham architecture invented PechaKucha in an effort to bring “More show. Less tell,” to life in presentations. Essentially, the duo wanted to streamline the process and delivery of long design presentations to make them more digestible to audiences. The format follows a simple 20x20 rule in which each presentation is 20 slides, and each slide is shown for only 20 seconds each. Think of it as a speed presentation, where the presenter has to make their point— beginning to end— in 7 minutes total. 

The PechaKucha format is used among friends for PechaKucha nights (similar to the TikTok-famous PowerPoint nights ), in business, and at schools. It’s an elevator pitch for your topic. The short-form presentations keep distractions to a minimum, and engagement at a maximum. Specifically, teachers have found the format to be extremely useful when trying to engage students and encourage critical thinking in the classroom. “This presentation style was designed to help people tell a story instead of lecturing to others,” Jim Ave, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Kinesiology at Fresno Pacific University said in an interview . “This keeps students engaged. It’s another tool to use in class to foster learning.”

Tips for giving your first PechaKucha presentation

Now that you have a little bit of background on the ever-popular PechaKucha, here's how to nail your first 20x20 presentation .

Be passionate about your topic

Because of the nature of a PechaKucha presentation, presenters have to be quick on their toes. Providing commentary for each slide in under 20 seconds is no small feat, and in order to do it well presenters need to be knowledgeable in the topic. It’s considerably easier to make your point quicker when you’re passionate about the topic. If you’re planning a PechaKucha presentation, choose something that genuinely interests you and that you can speak on with little-to-no effort. 

Know your story

As with any presentation, you should know your story before you even think about designing a slide. But this is especially true when you’re trying to scramble to hit your point in under 20 seconds. With a firm stance on your positioning, it will be easier to structure your story and touch on all key points. If you’re going through each slide like you’re telling a story to your best friend, it will be more seamless and you’ll be a lot less likely to slip up on your words or get stuck mid-slide. 

Let your slides do the talking

When you’re on a time-crunch, your slides have to pull more weight. Let them say what you can’t in 20 seconds. Images are your friend here. Nobody wants to attempt to read (and comprehend) a big block of text in 20 seconds before it’s gone, so lean into visual storytelling. In fact, most PechaKucha presentations don’t include any text at all and simply use images for each slide. Your image should be relevant to the point you are trying to make, and have an obvious connection to your topic. Beautiful.ai’s free image library boasts an impressive collection of hundreds of thousands of quality photos and icons. Regardless of your PechaKucha topic, there is truly something for everyone. 

Keep your takeaways to a minimum

Obviously with such limited time, you have to be intentional about your key takeaways. At its core, PechaKucha forces you to say more with less. Keep your main points to a minimum so you can easily zip through each slide in the allotted 20 seconds. You should be able to make your point easily and quickly, and then be ready to move on to the next one. In order to do so without giving your audience whiplash, make sure you structure your presentation in a way that flows and makes sense. Your story should be easy to follow, even if it’s fast. 

Timing is everything

A PechaKucha presentation is all about timing— obviously, that’s the whole basis of the format. To make sure you’re prepared to run (literally, run, don’t walk) through your presentation in less than 7 minutes, you’ll need to practice. And then practice again. We recommend going through your presentation a minimum of three times to ensure you can stay on track with the 20-second per slide limit. 

Jordan Turner

Jordan is a Bay Area writer, social media manager, and content strategist.

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Dr. Ian O'Byrne

I first learned how to pronounce PK from Kelly Chandler Olcott as she used the following video to illustrate the correct pronunciation. In future work, my own pronunciation will follow the video below, but while trying to flatten the tone each time. Regardless of how “correctly” you pronounce PK, you’ll most definitely have people look at you quizzically when you suggest it.

I’ve given countless PK style talks ( example & example ), facilitated sessions including PK talks, and include PK/Ignite talks as an assessment device in my classes. I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly in PK presentations. In this post I’ll share my tips, tricks, and lessons learned from these experiences. Keep in mind that for every rule for a PK talk, I see someone break the rules and do something magical.

Preparing your slide deck

As you develop your slides for a PK presentation, keep in mind that the format should utilize images more than words. As a result, I strive for primarily images with very little (or no) text on each slide. Large, dramatic images that will capture the attention of the audience are a great strategy as you create a narrative with your words. I recommend reviewing this post to learn more about the images that you choose and use in your PK slides, and general PPTs. You might also check out Unsplash , Flickr CC Search , Compfight , and  CC Search  as you search for Creative Commons licensed content to use .

If you do include text on the slide, keep in mind that the audience is also “on the edge of their seats” in your presentation. Allow them to focus on the words on the screen as opposed to the words coming out of your mouth. Alternatively, you can explain to them exactly  what you want them to focus on in the text. Please also consider how to use presentations and PPT docs to get the most out of the audience …and hit your objectives.

Keep it simple. Don’t include transitions. Don’t include slide animations, or callouts. The more things you add in to make it fancy become the things that delay and derail your presentation.

The best way to prepare your slides is to use Microsoft Powerpoint. As a lover of Google Slides  this pains me…but Slides will only let you automatically transition after 15 seconds. You can set up your Powerpoint slides to automatically advance by clicking on the “transitions” settings, and clicking the button to have your slides advance every 20 seconds. Make sure you don’t click that option to advance on the “mouse click.” There’s nothing more aggravating than getting rolling in your PK talk and realizing that the first slide isn’t advancing automatically…and then having to restart. I know from experience. 🙂

Preparing what to say…and how to say it

As I prepare for my sessions, I generally identify a story, or narrative across the slides and my time. For each slide, I identify a point, or key idea I want to make for that slide. In the development of the slide deck, I make sure there is a visual cue that will help me remember the point that I wanted to make on that slide. Between the intersection of the larger narrative of the presentation and the points per slide, I generally can map out the trajectory and guidepoints to keep me focused. If it’s not clear to me, I adjust the slides to make sure I’ll have those guidepoints in my head as I present.

I do not recommend writing a script for this presentation style. I definitely do not recommend bringing a script in to the session with you to present. In my own experience, I know the general story that I want to tell, and the specific words don’t matter. I’ve had colleagues bring in their script and stare down at the cue cards in the talk and it creates a disconnect with the audience. A script is also problematic if/when you have glitches with timing in your presentation. If you miss a transition…then you’re feverishly trying to read the cue cards to get caught up. Also…if you have a script and cue cards, it’s probably a sign that you’re trying to squeeze too much in to the format. 🙂

Last, but not least…practice. This is one of the common themes on this PK guide from USC. In my own preparation I run through the slides numerous times in my head as I’m developing…and then reviewing them. It’s also a good habit to let the slides run and advance in Powerpoint to see what the timing will look like.

Actually presenting it

When the day of reckoning comes…relax. Have fun. You’ve put in the work up to this point. You know your content. Now you just need to get up there and make it happen. There may/will be technology or glitches out of your control. Nothing will ever be perfect…and that is part of the art form. Remind yourself that is performance, and presentation.

In my experience the audience is as nervous as the presenters. The audience usually doesn’t know what to do (cognitively) with the presentations. There is so much information, so much to see/hear and consider that they don’t know where to focus. There is also usually a buzz in the air as this is something new that is unexpected. In larger sessions with multiple PK speakers, we usually direct the audience to “just take it all in.” We provide breaks in between sets or themes of speakers to give them a chance to debrief.

Practice for practice sake

If you want to play with the medium, and challenge yourself or your students, you can play with PK. Known as Powerpoint-Karaoke, or BattleDecks , these are PK sessions in which you do not know the slides that are coming up. The slide decks are chosen/compiled at random. The speaker may know the theme, or nothing at all before they begin. It’s the ultimate in thinking on your feet.

One tool that I love to use with colleagues and students is PechaFlickr by Alan Levine . This wonderful tool has you start by adding in a search term, and then scraping Flickr for images. These images are pulled into a presentation file that is set up to automatically advance for each slide. This tool is tons of fun, and it has you focus on the content and your cognitive flexibility. 🙂

Next slide please…

Now that you hopefully have a better idea of what PK is…get out there and do it. The best way to learn how to do it is to just get started. You can review the links in this post for more ideas of what you’re in store for. I also recommend this post by Catherine Cronin as you’re searching for more guidance.

Get out there and have fun. 🙂

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Cover photo by triplefivechina https://flickr.com/photos/triplefivechina/4877744304 shared under a Creative Commons (BY) license

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10 Comments → How to plan, present, & survive a Pecha Kucha style presentation

It’s a fun challenge, for sure!

I am about to do a Pecha Kucha poetry challenge right now.

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10 Easy Pecha Kucha Topics for Students

• Emily Scott

We have a number of visitors to our website and most of the common questions they enquire with us are What are the easy topic for quick presentations? The quick presentation they meant is the Pecha Kucha presentation. Here we are discussing the  Pecha Kucha presentation  and Pecha Kucha topics for students.

Introduction:

Pecha Kucha in Japanese means “chit-chat”. It is narrating the story or experiences or describing the ideas with a short presentation. In short Pecha Kucha’s ideas are like “talk less show more”. It was created in February 2003 by Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham of Tokyo.

Why do people/students ask for Pecha Kucha presentation topics?

The very first reason is that it is unlike other commercial or business PowerPoint slides. There is no hard-fast rule for Pecha Kucha presentation.  The only rule is that this presentation should contain 20 slides and each slide changes every 20 seconds. So, in total, the presentation lasts for 6mins 40 seconds. The second reason is that this may be students’ first ever Pecha Kucha academic presentation  and wonder what topic work and what will not.

Since in this presentation presenter should explain along with the changing slides (as slides change every 20 sec) the Pecha Kucha example topics chosen should be easier and simultaneously should be very interesting to an audience. The best way to choose topics is to “Present what you love”.  Here we will discuss in brief about few Best Pecha Kucha presentation topics.

• Narrate your travel experience:  If you love traveling, if you were on your road trip, or if u had been on a world trip then this can be a very interesting and easy topic to be chosen for the  Pecha Kucha presentation . You can show photos of your experience of traveling and explain in short about them. You can explain your fears while traveling and how you overcome them.
• Talk about a specific type of food:  If you have just come from your tour you can explain the different types of food you saw or ate during traveling. You can also present some information about those food habits that you are excited about. In this presentation, one can also discuss special food recipes if one loves cooking and are a good chef.
• Emotion and how to control them:  Our life teaches a lot of lessons in each or every moment we live. If one has anything to share about their life and their emotions during that situation or how one learned to have control over such emotion in that particular situation can make use of the Pecha Kucha presentation for that.
• Future talks:  One can discuss their imagination about the future. It may be related to electronic fields, home appliances fields, automobile fields, business fields,s and a lot more. It is a safer topic to present since ideas are limited only by your imagination.
• Satire:  This is a bit of a difficult topic to be chosen. It cannot be a “Taste” of everyone. Use your humor for irony or exaggerate any work or thing. It may be related to fashion, a particular book, or anyone’s comment. One has to just take care that your talk should not be a negative vibe for others. Make fun of yourself, instead of always poking at others.
• May your grandparents or a child of age 10 to 12 know what you do:  Explaining the content of your work to business associates is always a piece of cake for you and it will be in a very commercial way. But try to explain the same to your grandparents or a child of age 10. This will be of more fun and colorful presentation.
• Talk about your hobbies : You can give a presentation on your hobbies since you love doing them and have a lot of information to share.
• About your pets : Almost everyone will be having pets at their home. They will be the most loving and cutest thing in your life. One can discuss their pets and their routine life in the Pecha Kucha presentation. This will be the best and most emotional topic for the audience.
• Number counts : One can choose a topic like 10 best favorite songs, 15 best restaurants in your area or 30 best websites, etc. This will be a very easy topic to talk about.
• What not to do : One can even give a presentation on the experience gained by you and topics about what mistakes you did in your life or topics like what not to do in a particular situation.

These are the Best Pecha Kucha presentation topics one can choose. Just be careful about the topics related to caste, culture, sex, religion, or politics. Such a topic may lead you to controversies.

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Table of Contents

4 lessons to keep from failing at pecha kucha.

I’ve written about Pecha Kucha -style presentations before ( Pecha Kucha: PowerPoint presentations as performance art! and Want to be creative in your next presentation? Try Pecha Kucha-style! ), but I’d never actually put one together until last week.

What is Pecha Kucha?

Pecha Kucha-style presentations are tightly structured presentations that require you to present on your topic using exactly 20 slides, each slide lasting only 20 seconds. The slides are generally set to auto-advance. The entire presentation is six minutes and forty seconds.

How to Practice Pecha Kucha

I had an opportunity to serve as the emcee at this year’s ATD Puget Sound Chapter annual workplace learning conference. One of the breakout presentations was on the topic of Pecha Kucha-style presentations and, in the spirit of showing participants one potential way to apply what was learned during the day, I thought it would be fun to issue a closing call-to-action using the Pecha Kucha format.

Here is a video of my presentation:

After preparing for and delivering this Pecha Kucha I had the following lessons learned:

Lesson #1 : Pecha Kucha seems simple… but it’s not a simple presentation to put together.

At first, I was excited that I only needed to come up with 20 slides for my presentation. As I looked at my message, I realized it might be a struggle to try to come up with a whole deck of 20 slides. Putting together a tight narrative within the 20 slides/20 seconds per slide structure is definitely a challenge.

Lesson #2 : Pecha Kucha requires a lot of practice.

When I first suggested the idea to conference planners, I thought it would be fun. And then I set about preparing the presentation and not only did it take a lot of work to design the slides and sync the timing of animations, it took a ton of practice. I probably rehearsed five or six times the night before and another ten times on the day of the presentation in order to refine my messaging and to keep the timing tight.

Lesson #3 : High risk, high reward means high risk!

I love getting the audience involved in my presentations, even if it’s only six minutes and forty seconds long. I thought it would be fun to use a PollEverywhere poll at one point in my presentation. You don’t see it on the video, but prior to the start of this presentation I prepared the audience and had them ready to submit an answer to a poll question that would come toward the end of my presentation. They were warned, they were ready, and when it came to the slide that was supposed to have my poll question… nothing happened. It was a blank white slide. I had mentally prepared for this possibility and in the moment I just asked people to shout out some answers. It would have been much cooler to get everyone in the hall involved, but high risk means I needed a backup plan and I was glad I had one.

Lesson #4 : Be Ruthless when designing a Pecha Kucha.

As I was rehearsing this presentation, I realized that not all of my stories or examples could fit within a 20-second window before my slide advanced and I needed to get to a new topic. As I calibrated my stories and examples, I realized it was a tighter narrative, a better story, a better experience for the audience. I may have missed out on telling some of my favorite stories, but my audience didn’t miss those stories. While it may be a while before I prepare another Pecha Kucha-style presentation, I think this lesson – how to ruthlessly prioritize content in order to keep the presentation tight and relevant – will live on in future presentation design.

Have you ever been daring enough to try a Pecha Kucha-style presentation? Would you ever give it a whirl? Why (or why not)? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below.

Brian Washburn

Brian has over 25 years of experience in Learning & Development including the last 7 as CEO of Endurance Learning.

Brian is always available to chat about learning & development and to talk about whether Endurance Learning can be your training team’s “extra set of hands”.

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7 IDEAS FOR PECHA KUCHA IN THE CLASSROOM

• lesson plans and activities , low cost teaching/learning aids , speaking

Following up on the fascinating post by  Tekhnologic  providing an interesting insight into the use of the PechaKucha presentation style in a low-tech classroom  It’s Time for PechaKucha: Do it with Style , I’ve put together 7 ideas for PechaKucha style classroom activities*.

‘You don’t need a projector, an interactive board or a presentation screen, and you don’t even need a computer. You just need a style!’ 

If you are looking for ideas or topics for your students’ PechaKucha presentations or PechaKucha style activities, try our online PechaKucha Topic Generator .  

It can help generate some interesting ideas and select the one that is most relevant to your students. 

The Generator covers the following broad topics:  Food, Travel, Places, Life, Jobs, Humour, Future, Hobbies, Pets,  How-to and  Numbers.

Have students note down the topics that seem interesting and pick the one they’d like to talk about. 

Please leave a comment if you have any other ideas or ways of doing a PechaKucha in the classroom!

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I like the sketchbook pechakucha! Thanks for sharing!

[…] contain 20 slides with each slide lasting for 20 seconds (for great Pecha Kucha ideas check out ELT-Cation’s amazing post here). Those presentations feature pictures only and similar audiovisual material that best summarize […]

[…] the classroom, but I love the idea of students working in small groups to select appropriate images or objects and practice what they are going to say. You could have them focus on content from your subject or […]

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• Fri 20th Sep 2024, 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm NZST (Opens in new tab)

A+W▪︎NZ x Unserhaus Pecha Kucha

Event description.

Architecture Women NZ invites you to

a Pecha Kucha presentation event to

celebrate the incredible contributions of

female architects with us through the

theme: "Architecture and Art in New

Zealand: The Interaction of

Architecture and Visual Arts."

Experience engaging presentations,

network with peers, and enjoy delicious

offerings from an in-house chef at the

Unserhaus Showroom in Parnel, 

Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity