Pitching
In creative technology projects, being able to pitch your ideas is just as important as designing or building them. A pitch is a short, powerful presentation where you convey your concept, advice, or prototype in a convincing way. For example, you might have only five minutes to explain to a museum client why your interactive installation with motion sensors is the best choice.
Why is this relevant to you as a Creative Technologist? Because your work often involves innovative or unfamiliar concepts. Stakeholders may not fully understand the technology, so you need to present your ideas clearly and persuasively. A good pitch does not just describe your solution, it “sells” it: you connect with your audience, show why it matters, and create enthusiasm to move forward. Without pitching skills, even the strongest ideas may fail to gain support.
Starting Points
- Explore best practices: How to pitch your idea (Design Council) and How to create and deliver a successful presentation (Interaction Design Foundation).
- Structure your story with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
Example: introduce the problem, show your solution, end with impact. - Practice explaining your concept to both a technical peer and a non-technical stakeholder. Notice where you need to simplify or clarify.
Key Points
- Pay attention to speaking pace, volume, and intonation to maintain attention.
- Support your story with examples, visuals, or analogies that show why your solution is useful.
Example: compare your interactive prototype to a familiar experience, like turning on a light switch. - Use confident body language and posture: make eye contact, stand openly, and avoid nervous gestures.
- Gauge your audience’s reaction and adapt on the spot: slow down if they look confused, or skip details if time is short.
- Remember that your goal is not only to inform, but also to inspire and persuade.