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From Billboards to the Smartboard: How Designing for the Highway Prepped Me for the Classroom

Writer's picture: Lauren HeilLauren Heil

Before spending years as a middle school Computer Science teacher, I was a graphic designer working in the world of advertising! My first projects? Designing billboards for Burger King. Let me be the first to say, if you think grabbing a driver’s attention for five seconds is tough, try keeping a classroom of middle schoolers engaged for an entire lesson. Educators aren’t just presenters; they are designers, directors, and facilitators, crafting materials that hold attention, clarify learning, and create an environment where students can thrive.


Turns out, billboard design and slide design for the classroom have a lot in common. Because let’s be real—when a student walks into class, they’re balancing distractions, energy levels, and information overload. 

Slides play an important role in the classroom - they’re typically the first thing students look at when entering, and they’re used throughout class to guide, to reinforce, to communicate both content and expectations.


So, here’s how the fast-paced world of billboards shaped my deep appreciation for slide design in the classroom:



 

One Clear Message with Minimal Text


Billboard

You’ve got about five seconds to get your point across, so messages need to be concise.

Slide: 

Each slide should focus on a single concept with minimal text. Whether introducing a new topic, reinforcing key expectations, or guiding students through an activity, clarity is key. Bullet points and short phrases help students process information quickly without feeling overwhelmed.

Try it today:

There’s no such thing as too many slides. Imagine the information on your slide as a newspaper headline - what would you say? Challenge yourself to 3 sentences/phrases maximum per slide.


 

Use Big, Bold Fonts


Billboard

Large, high-contrast text ensures readability from far away.

Slide: 

Each slide should focus on a single concept with minimal text. Whether introducing a new topic, reinforcing key expectations, or guiding students through an activity, clarity is key. Bullet points and short phrases help students process information quickly without feeling overwhelmed.

Try it today:

The smallest font size used in presentations should be 18 pt. Ensure your body text is 18 pt or higher, and make headers/sub-headers even bigger - anywhere between 24 and 48 is good!

 

Let Pictures Do the Talking


Billboard

A strong visual beats a wordy ad any day.

Slide: 

Images, icons, and diagrams help explain concepts faster and better than a wall of text. Visuals also support diverse learners, reinforcing meaning and making ideas more memorable.




Try it today:

In a perfect world, one big visual would be the majority of the slide. Sometimes that’s possible, and sometimes it’s not. Using Stickity attention-getters to help direct the eye to important information can be a huge support for all learners!




 

Make It Pop


Billboard

Bright colors grab attention.

Slide: 

Strategic use of color can highlight important information and maintain engagement. Whether it's a transition slide, a key point, or a call to action, a well-placed pop of color helps students stay on track.

Try it today:

I smell another longer blog post on strategic use of color in the classroom coming soon, but Stickity graphics allow teachers to use color to communicate important steps, concepts, and information.

Students will start to look for the yellow instructions graphic, or the teal vocabulary flag. Steps graphics align with the Google color palette in slides and docs, making it easy to color blog important processes - a common IEP accommodation!

 

Movement Catches the Eye


Billboard

Anything moving or out of the ordinary grabs attention—think flashing lights, rotating signs, or 3D billboards that stick out.

Slide: 

Teachers can harness this same principle by adding animations or dynamic elements to their slides. Stickity makes it easy to bring slides to life with subtle animations that draw students' focus to key points, keep engagement high, and add an extra layer of visual appeal (or frankly, just a little joy!) without overwhelming the content.

Try it today:

Have some fun with the confetti stickers, animated backgrounds or some encouraging feedback!





 

Call to Action!


Billboard

“Exit now for fries.”

Slide: 

Teachers use slides not just to present but to guide. Clear prompts like “Discuss with a partner,” “Take notes on this,” or “Reflect in your journal” help students engage with the lesson beyond passive consumption.

Try it today:

Stickity makes it easy to communicate clearly with words AND graphics. We call this the good ol’ show AND tell. Crucial for our multilingual learners, but beneficial for every single student in the room.


 

By embracing these billboard-inspired strategies, teachers craft slides that are clear, engaging, and supportive of student learning. And while designing for a classroom takes far more creativity and effort than designing for a highway, the impact is undeniable.


So, hats off to educators—the real designers of dynamic, engaging learning experiences. If you put these strategies into action, tag @StickityAddOn in your creations—we’d love to see your slides in motion! And hey, at least in the classroom, your audience isn’t speeding past at 70 mph. (Well, most of the time.)


Happy designing!

-- Lauren



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1 Comment


Great article! Sharing with my teachers because sharing is caring.

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