The following is "reminder list" of presentation fundamentals from ET's wonderful book Envisioning Information.
Make the ideas you are trying to convey worthy of the eye to behold.

Envisioning Information

1. Escaping Flatland
   
   • Introduce multiple dimensions on a two-space surface, e.g., time, compounding, links, etc.
   • Focus on the point and not the Pridefully Obvious Presentation - good design strategies are transparent.
   • Study the variations, there are patterns to be found even in chaos.
   • Words are a strong deterrent to international communication, symbols convey messages to all.
   • A steady canvas makes for a clearer picture.
   • Multiple smallness of images allows local comparisons with the eyes.
   • Decorate construction, never construct decoration: Pugin.
   • Respect the audiences intelligence - construct high quality "maps" and avoid chartjunk and posterization.
   • The ducks of information design are false escapes from the Flatlands, adding pretend dimensions to impoverished data sets.

2. Micro/Macro Readings
   
   • To clarify, add detail.
   • Micro/macro information: visualization is condensed, slowed, and personalized.
   • Artificial boundaries can be a good for dividing up information.
   • Stem and leaf plots can save characters and give better visual comparisons.
   • Clutter and confusion are failures of design, not attributes of information.

3. Layering and Separation
   
   • 1 + 1 = 3 or more (the space between 2 objects can create new objects - watch out for clutter.)
   • Visual relationships must be in relevant proportion and in harmony to the substance of ideas, evidence, or data conveyed.
   • Macro annotation can help explain micro detail.
   • Use light, color, size, space effectively.
   • Remove the weight, avoid vibration.
   • Clarity is not everything but there is little without it.
   • Unless deliberate obscurity is sought, avoid surround words with boxes and set type above graphics (fewer descending rather than ascending letters.)
   • Information consists of differences that make a difference.

4. Small Multiples
   
   • Comparisons... use a scope of alternatives, a range of options - show changes in data and not in data frames.
   • There is nothing as mysterious as a fact clearly described.
   • Comparisons must be enforced within the scope of the eyespan.
   • Flatlands within flatlands significantly deepen displays.

5. Color and Information
   
   • Above all, do no harm when bringing color to information.
   • Use color to label, to measure, to represent or imitate reality, and to enliven or decorate.
   • Large areas of glaring, rich colors or placing bright colors mixed with whites produce unpleasant, confusing results.
   • Color spots against a muted field highlight data and weave an overall harmony.

6. Narratives of Space and Time (see book examples)