Studies consistently show that memory increases 700% when the information is both explained and shown. The Visual Communications consultants at Exponent prepare professional-quality trial exhibits and demonstrative evidence for hearings, trials, and other courtroom proceedings that display information in a compelling yet streamlined manner. For trial exhibit preparation, our multimedia artists work closely with our scientists and engineers, taking highly complex information and condensing it into a visually compelling format, while ensuring that all litigation graphics are accurate and clearly illustrate the relevant aspects of the case. Our trial exhibits allow clients to display video, animation, graphics, drawings, documents, and still images as needed during a presentation or testimony. This technology helps our clients organize and retrieve documents, share information, and graphically present information in a more understandable and persuasive manner. We have more than 25 years of experience in developing consistent, concise trial visuals that build upon the messages that are to be communicated in a court of law.
From our state-of-the-art service locations around the country, our trial exhibit professionals produce all forms of trial exhibits, including the following:
- Courtboards
- Maps
- Charts
- Timelines
- Diagrams
- Static illustrations
- Photographic enlargements
- Photographic enhancement
- Other formats or media, such as Microsoft® PowerPoint presentations and Adobe® Director and Flash presentations
Sample trial exhibits we have created for clients include: 2 and 3-dimensional models of incident scenes (using detailed drawings, photographs, and first-hand inspection); mock trial presentations, medical illustrations; mechanical or electrical design illustrations, animated reenactments of important events, intellectual property animations, scrolling timelines, and virtual reality.
We take complex scientific findings, issues, and concepts and distill them into visuals that will captivate an audience not familiar with the matters at hand.
- Phase I: Planning the scope and nature of demonstratives
- Phase II: Developing and designing demonstratives
- Phase III: Producing demonstratives
- Phase IV: Producing final exhibits
- Phase V: Presenting demonstratives and exhibits
Phase 1: Planning the Scope and Nature of Demonstratives
Visuals communicate a message that prompts a reaction; in defining this message, it is essential to categorize the types of information:
- Concept: abstract idea to describe a phenomenon
- Process: a series of stages necessary to get from A to B
- Data: quantitative information used for inference or reckoning
- Trend: indication of the direction of change in variables
- Event: something that happens once
- Relationship: association between two or more objects
The objective of presenting information is to convey, educate, illustrate, or convince the audience. It is important to define the categories of information display.
Phase II: Developing and Designing Demonstratives
Our resources and disciplines in animation, computer graphics, videography, photography, digital imaging, and multimedia allow us to communicate, present, and display information as either static or dynamic displays.
- Static Display — Certain types of information are best illustrated as static displays, including tables, charts, graphs, photographs, timelines, and two-dimensional illustrations.
- Dynamic Display — Certain types of information are best illustrated dynamically: video, animation, multimedia, virtual reality. The dynamic range of introducing and illustrating concepts and processes as animation can leave a lasting impression. Seeing is believing!
Phase III: Producing Demonstratives
This phase focuses on producing static and dynamic visuals. Draft exhibits are completed for review by expert witnesses and attorneys. Meetings are scheduled to discuss review comments or changes to exhibits. We can provide a private web site to key members of the litigation/trial support team to facilitate their review and perusal of exhibits.
Phase IV: Producing Final Exhibits
After draft exhibit reviews, changes are made for final exhibit review. The final production phase consists of the following subtasks:
- Reviewing final exhibits
- Producing page-size color prints of exhibits, or PDFs, for expert witnesses and attorneys
- Creating static courtboards for specific exhibits
- Compressing animations and video segments to digital form
- Creating PowerPoint presentations or interactive presentations
- Recording data onto CD-ROMs or DVDs
- Creating binders containing exhibits
Phase V: Presenting Demonstratives
Static and dynamic exhibits can be displayed as follows:
- 20×30-inch or 30×40-inch courtboards
- ELMO/television monitor
- Computer, LCD projector, multi-sync monitors
Fees
2D Graphics, charts, and graphs
$250–$750 per exhibit (simple)
$1,000–$2,500 per exhibit (complex)
3D Modeling and animation
$100–$175/hour
$100–$500/finished second
Courtboards: printing and mounting
20×30 inches—$100 each
30×40 inches—$200 each
Development of CD-ROMs/DVDs, interactive presentations
Hourly rate: $125–$200