Tag: presentation design

Saving Typeface: Tips for PowerPoint Presentation Fonts

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fonts

powerpoint font

powerpoint presentation fonts

Powerpoint tips

presentation design

presentation tips

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

Nov 12, 2015

A good presentation comes in a package. This includes an effective speaker supported by powerful visuals. A PowerPoint that complements your performance is essential in leaving a lasting impact on people. There are many aspects of visual design, and among one of the most important is your choice of fonts.While crowding text is highly discouraged, text isn’t necessarily banned from your slide deck. Arranging text strategically in your PowerPoint and choosing the right font style and size can drive home a powerful message.But that’s often easier said than done. How do you use text to communicate to your audience? Which fonts prompt a response? We attempt to answer these questions with a few basic rules:

Limit the Fonts You Use

Familiarizing yourself with the pros and cons of both serif and sans serif fonts will save you time choosing between them. However, there are several font types, and deciding which one to use is still pretty tricky. Using three or more fonts is already a bit of a handful.According to Engage Interactive developer, Jamie Wright, if you can’t justify your use of a third font, it would be good to keep it out of the picture. Too many fonts can be confusing for your audience. You want your audience to focus on your speech, not on a distracting font. If you want to draw your audience’s attention to the text on the slide, try combining font types.For example, serif fonts are often used for the body of text, while sans serif fonts are used as headlines. Because sans serifs are easier to read, using them for a headline draws immediate attention. On the other hand, serifs guide the eyes with their design, making them better for longer blocks of texts. Knowing the strengths of different font types will let you use them to your advantage.

Consider Readability

Size matters. Unless you intend to have it invisible to the viewer, your text should be readable. Color also plays a huge role in presentation design. The color you choose evokes a psychological response on your audience. Audience members respond differently to different types of colors. But also make sure your words are visible by choosing a color that contrasts with its background.Contrast is a key element of text readability. Low-contrast text and text with color similar to its slide are unreadable. People won’t be able to get the message of your presentation if they can’t see what’s on your slide. At the same time, don’t overdo it.Don’t sabotage yourself with flashy, animated text. Keeping your text simple yet readable is enough to keep your audience’s attention.

The Font that Must Not Be Used

Aside from bullet points, another PowerPoint taboo is the use of Comic Sans. The Comic Sans font has gained a bad rap for a number of reasons. Among these is the font being overused in inappropriate situations. While there is nothing wrong with this font per se, you wouldn’t want to be associated with it.The general disapproval of Comic Sans is enough to discredit any presentation that makes use of the infamous font. If you want to look for similar but less stigmatized options, there are alternatives to choose from. Ban Comic Sans, an organization dedicated to eradicating the notorious font, provides an entire list on their site.But still use them wisely. Don’t go for unconventional fonts on a whim. Always think about the effect your font will have on your presentation.

Conclusion

When organized strategically, text can enhance presentation design. In order to maximize the element of text, consider the fonts you use. Don’t saturate a slide with several fonts unless you can justify it. Be aware of font size and color. Any text you put on a slide must always be clear and readable to your audience. Similarly, don’t go over the top with your design.Unconventional fonts can be distracting. The main purpose of your font choice is to emphasize what you’re trying to say, not draw attention to itself.If you want professional help in deciding how to organize your PowerPoint, contact our SlideGenius experts today and get a free quote!

References

“Fonts.” Ban Comic Sans. Accessed October 8, 2015. www.bancomicsans.com/mainWright, Jamie. “How Many Fonts Is Too Many Fonts?” Engage Interactive. Accessed October 8, 2015. www.engageinteractive.co.uk/blog/how-many-fonts-is-too-many-fontsSpector, Lincoln. “Six PowerPoint Nightmares (and How to Fix Them).” PCWorld. Accessed October 8, 2015. www.pcworld.com/article/237106/six_powerpoint_nightmares_and_how_to_fix_them_.html Featured Image: “Stencil Font” by Cory Schmitz on flickr.com

How to Tame the Bullet Points in Presentations

audience

audience focus

bullet points

key points

PowerPoint bullet points

powerpoint designer

ppt designer tips

ppt designs

ppt experts

presentation design

Presentations

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

Oct 07, 2015

The brain is efficient at discarding useless chunks of memories, but the most embarrassing and boring ones never leave the brain. Flashbacks from a long, drawn out lecture enter the mind out of nowhere. Most of the time, the boring lectures come with a hail of bullet points. Then another flashback sets in… and it turns out you were giving that presentation riddled with bullet points.There are no set rules for using the bullet point, which makes it difficult to know how to use it successfully. Technically, bulleted lists are only a matter of format. They should contain key points that will be discussed during the presentation.Let’s take a look at this example:

Tame Bullet Points

  • Milk
  • Eggs
  • Bread

The above is a simple grocery list. It’s composed of three distinct items, which are then separated from each other through bullet points. Even without writing these items down in a list again, they’re easy to understand and recall. Now, compare it with this bullet list:

Wild Bullet Points

  • Milk
  • The eggs should be brown.
  • Bread
    • Sandwich
    • Toast
    • Banana bread

The latter looks disjointed and confusing for different reasons: inconsistent formatting, too many bullet points, and difficult recall. The first two items nested under “bread” are different ways to prepare bread, while the last item is a type of bread. Eliminate the three items under bread to maintain the general idea of the list, since the three sub-bullets are specific.The list is more difficult to recall than the former because the general and specific ideas are mixed together. A specific list will have different kinds of bread, and other types of milk and eggs. Ideas need to be refined further and follow consistent formatting.

Troubleshooting

If a bulleted list looks too much like the latter example, there are several ways to simplify it and make it look more like the former.

1. Don’t play mind games

In the context of creating a deck, if the bullet points only make sense in the mind of the speaker, then the audience takes the burden of trying to understand the information. A presentation has new information for the audience, therefore it’s wrong to assume that they possess this information beforehand.

2. Hold their hand

The poorly made bullet list in the latter example branches off wildly in all directions, completely disregarding the audience. According to Think Outside the Slide‘s Dave Paradi, a consistent style is necessary to avoid confusion. Hold their attention by showing bullet points of the main topics, then explaining each topic.

3. Prevent a bullet point tragedy

The most boring kind of bullet list is the kind that pretends to be a bullet list. A group of sentences is called a paragraph, but a bullet list of sentences is a paragraph formatted unnecessarily. Be careful not to mislead the audience into thinking that the bullet-list-paragraph is a bullet list.

4. Maintain harmony

Ideas get along well with each other through formatting and style. Format the topics as a sentence, phrase, or a single word for a bulleted list. If the bullet point begins with the first word capitalized, then the rest of the list should follow the same format. Consistency is important since discrepancies are distracting from the flow of thought and information.

5. Use Bullet Points Sparingly

Bullet points are key points for the audience, not a series of cue cards for the speaker. Use as few bullet points as possible to break up a presentation visually and to avoid overloading the audience with information. Insert an image between slides, and make sure to break up big chunks of information down for the audience.

The Verdict

It’s important not to accidentally play a game of PowerPoint-Karaoke by reading bullet-list-paragraphs throughout the presentation. Break up information by using a bulleted list with proper formatting and just enough information for easier recall. The proper usage of the bullet list is important to successfully get a point, or several points, across.Finally, free yourself of the flashbacks of bullet list tragedies and exercise the responsible use and control of bullet points.

References

Paradi, Dave. “How to Write Powerful Bullet Points.” ThinkOutsideTheSlide. Accessed on October 2, 2015. www.thinkoutsidetheslide.comFeatured Image: “Bearpit Karaoke” by sfreimark from flickr.com

Color Psychology for Your Presentation Design

advise from expert

color psychology

color scheme

Powerpoint

powerpoint presentation tips

ppt tips

presentation design

presentation tips

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

Sep 24, 2015

Two people working together at a desk with a laptop, holding a small solar panel and analyzing documents. One person is pointing at the laptop screen with a pen, likely discussing a presentation. A miniature wind turbine model is visible in the background, suggesting a renewable energy focus.

Color is more than just choosing what visual elements go with your branding. It spices up your design, unifies your elements, and gives life to your deck. It’s also a powerful psychological tool for PowerPoint pitches.

Colors have the power to subliminally influence your audience’s decisions and emotions. And if there’s one way the audience’s heart, it’s through their emotions.

This is why banking on the convincing power of color and choosing the right combination is crucial for your presentation design. Here’s how the five most popular colors affect your viewers.

Red

Red is a color that demands attention, representing energy and intensity. Scientifically, it’s said to stimulate a faster heart rate among viewers. This makes the color ideal for restaurant-related businesses.

Use red if you want to give your offering a sense of urgency in your pitches.

Green

Green represents nature, a color that gives off a relaxing vibe. It’s second only to red, as the color our eyes are most sensitive to. Some studies have even suggested that green colors help viewers retain memories, establishing it as a good all-around color.

Using green in your slides would be ideal for talking about your important points.

Yellow

Yellow is the color representing happiness. Because of its brightness, this color tends to stand out from the rest. Seeing yellow releases a chemical called serotonin in our brain, making us feel good.

Adding this to your presentation designs can make your slides shine with an optimistic mood. Lift your viewers’ moods and ease any tension in the air with an engaging color like yellow.

Blue

Blue is the color of tranquility. Being the color of the skies and the oceans, this makes it highly familiar and comfortable to view. It can also mean loyalty, making it a crucial color for business presentations.

If you want to build trust with your audience, then blue is for you.

Purple

Purple is the color of sophistication. For centuries, it’s been the preferred hue of monarchs, and has come to mean wisdom and respect. It’s also thought to increase brain activity for increased problem solving.

Using a touch of purple can add an air of elegance to your deck design for high-end brands.

In Summary

Different colors can impart meanings to your design, and help communicate your message clearer. Red imparts urgency, while green offers comfort. Yellow communicates optimism, while blue offers trust. Finally, purple can add a touch of sophistication to your brand.

There are many other colors out there, and several variations also exist for the ones we discussed. Hopefully, we got you started on the basics so you can deliver your speech with a winning deck.

If you want our presentation geniuses to give you a head start, contact us now for a free quote!

References

“The Psychology of Color.” Psychology Issues. Accessed August 12, 2015.
Dzulkifli, Mariam, and Muhammad Mustafar. “The Influence of Colour on Memory Performance: A Review.” The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences: MJMS. Accessed August 12, 2015.
“Color Me Happy: Use Color to Impact the Mood of Your Home.” The Art of Simple. February 17, 2010. Accessed August 12, 2015
“Precision Intermedia.” Psychology of Color. Accessed August 12, 2015

Featured Image: “Colores en la sociedad” by Constanza.CH from flickr.com

Death to Comic Sans: The Worst Font for PowerPoint

comic sans font

font

font for powerpoint

powerpoint problems

ppt experts

ppt tips

presentation design

Rick Enrico

slide design

SlideGenius

tips and ticks

worst font ever

Sep 21, 2015

If you don’t know what Comic Sans is, maybe you’re too ashamed to admit you do. It continues to grace countless homemade greeting cards, signs, banners, and sometimes, even PowerPoint presentations.Despite many alternatives, Comic Sans retains a degree of prevalence, banking on its perception as a warm and fun typeface.This perception, along with its overuse by amateur designers, contributes to its reputation as the worst font choice in any designed output. Before we dive deeper, let’s take a short look at its history.

Humble Roots

We can thank former Microsoft Employee Vincent Connare for the existence of this typographic blight. He claims that Comic Sans wasn’t initially designed as a usable typeface for Microsoft Office, but just for use in an application featuring a virtual canine assistant, Microsoft Bob.In his own words:

“Comic Sans was NOT designed as a typeface but as a solution to a problem with the often overlooked part of a computer program’s interface, the typeface used to communicate the message.There was no intention to include the font in other applications other than those designed for children when I designed Comic Sans. The inspiration came at the shock of seeing Times New Roman used in an inappropriate way.”

To be fair, the British Dyslexia Association considers the font easier to read than other fonts. Its legibility makes it easier for viewers to distinguish different glyphs and characters from each other. In addition, its handwritten design and curvy features lend it an air of friendliness and accessibility.So why do people, especially designers, hate it?

An Ignoble Font

It’s the abundant misuse in inappropriate situations that’s handed Comic Sans its legacy as the worst font of all time. The friendliness mentioned is unfortunately not suited for how it’s been used. You’ve probably seen this a dizzying amount of times in office pantry signs, self-published greeting cards, and even some unwitting business signages.Most likely, an unaware presenter may have even used it in his slides. It’s easy to reason that its bad rep is solely due to this abuse. Experts would beg to differ, noting its inconsistent kerning (spacing between characters) which make Comic Sans technically “ugly.”No matter what, it can’t shake its image as cheap and unprofessional, given its common use by untrained designers.

So When Should I Use Comic Sans?

Never.Save yourself from embarrassment. The people over at Ban Comic Sans Manifesto, expanding on its misuse, put it so:

“Comic Sans as a voice conveys silliness, childish naivete, irreverence, and is far too casual for such a purpose. It is analogous to showing up for a black tie event in a clown costume.”

In other words, Comic Sans is only good for communicating one thing: that you’re not a professional. There’s also no longer any excuse for resorting to this silly font. Even if you’re going for a more fun or aloof feel font for PowerPoint, there are so many other alternatives.If you’re presenting to a professional audience, you’re better off sticking to the classics like Arial, Century Gothic, or Helvetica. Some may argue that they’re equally overused, but at least their look is clear, classy, and timeless. Still insist on injecting some fun into your slides? Ban Comic Sans can give you other alternatives.

In Summary

Comic Sans is a font that stumbled into its role as designers’ public enemy number one. Its overexposure and misuse has made it a target of much derision. The fact is, there are so many other free choices that come built into Microsoft Office.We have serious serifs like Times New Roman, Garamond and the like for long bodies of text. There are more commanding sans serifs such as Impact, and you can count on Arial when you need to grab attention. In a perfect world, everyone would know the proper font choice for every situation.Not everyone can be a PowerPoint professional, but anyone can easily learn to follow the general rule: avoid Comic Sans.

References

“Ban Comic Sans Manifesto.” Ban Comic Sans. n.d.Connare, Vincent. “Why Comic Sans?” Connare: Art, Design & Typography. n. d.”Typefaces for Dyslexia.“ BDA Technology. March 20, 2011.”What’s so Wrong with Comic Sans?” BBC News. October 20, 2010. Featured Image: “Ban Comic Sans” by Emanuele on flickr.com

5 Effective PowerPoint Delivery Methods for Presentations

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investor presentation

PowerPoint Experts

powerpoint presentation design

PowerPoint presentation design experts

ppt designs

presentation design

presentation style

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

Sep 16, 2015

Most presenters barely notice what particular presentation technique they’re using whenever they take the stage. This is because they’re not fully aware of how it could influence both their performance and their audience. When you prepare your pitch, decide whether you want to use a fast-paced approach or spend more time discussing your main points.This provides a guide for organizing your ideas and translating them to your slides. While there are many presentation styles which work best for different speakers, there are also PowerPoint delivery methods that they can use to optimize their slides. Here, we’ll define some techniques introduced and practiced by popular presenters:

The Takahashi Method

Named after Masoyoshi Takahashi, this approach relies heavily on keywords with one main point placed per slide. Instead of using images, bullet points, or other visual elements, words are used as visuals.This method requires many slides (depending on your content) since each one only has a few words displayed. Applying this method encourages your audience to pay more attention to you as the speaker, since you are the one explaining what’s projected on-screen.

The Kawasaki Method

Named after Guy Kawasaki, and also known as the “10-20-30” method (10 slides, 20 minutes, 30 font size). This approach is commonly used for investor presentations where a short yet impactful approach is needed to stand out among the competition.This allows you to give brief but understandable messages within a limited time.

The Lessig Method

Used by Lawrence Lessig, this style has a limited use of images, relying more on words, similar to Takahashi’s style. Concise words or statements are used and slides are changed around, depending on the words the presenter delivers.This focuses more on telling a story and injects a more synchronized approach, generating interest and allowing audiences to be more attentive.

The Godin Method

Seth Godin’s technique is a combination of texts and images, where the speaker uses striking photos to let the pictures speak for themselves. This lets him explain what he’s trying to point out and reiterate his main ideas through images.This approach differs from Takahashi and Lessig’s, since they’re more focused on conveying their message primarily with text. The advantage? Using this appeals to the audience’s passions and establishes an emotional connection with them.

The Steve Jobs Method

Steve Jobs’ style concentrates on large images and texts, focusing on one statement per slide and combining it with visual elements. This gives the presenter the chance to offer demonstrations and allow a more interactive way of communicating his ideas.This method enables your performance to be more interesting and powerful, allowing the audience to get the message easily for maximum impact.

In Conclusion

Let your objectives dictate your manner of presenting. Situations requiring brevity and conciseness might require the Kawasaki Method. The Takahashi and Lessig methods favor a confident presenting style to better focus attention on the speaker. The Godin and Jobs methods use strong images that create strong emotional connections.The key is to understand and identify your objective as a presenter. Once you know this, you can then decide on what presentation style to use. Choose which one of the delivery methods suits you the most. Let SlideGenius experts help you out!

Does Keynote Have the Keys to Overpower PowerPoint? [Infographic]

Infographic

infographics

keynote vs powerpoint

Powerpoint

presentation consultant

presentation design

SlideGenius

Sep 01, 2015

PowerPoint gets a lot of hate because of all the slides that have accompanied boring lectures and business pitches. Mac users propose a solution to all your presentation problems in the form of Apple’s very own Keynote – a similar program which boasts better effects and stronger editing engine.PowerPoint no doubt holds the seniority between the two, but as a relatively fresh contender, Apple Keynote’s release in 2003 has already marked it as notable competition. Compared to its predecessor, Keynote arguably has an engine better suited for graphics editing. Its fine-tuned tools are more organized and impressive. It also has more visually appealing slide templates. But because it’s been around longer, PowerPoint’s already undergone all the trial and error of a presentation tool.Despite its cluttered interface, PowerPoint decks are compatible in both Mac and Microsoft, giving it extra points in terms of convenience. It handles text-heavy presentations better than Mac, too — although whether that’s a strength or a weakness is up to the user to decide. Mac’s graphics-friendly interface may be more suitable for visuals-heavy presentations, but PowerPoint can accommodate all types of presentations for all types of presenters.The points raised in defense of each are valid, but these programs are undeniably still evolving. Both hold their own strengths and weaknesses, and still have plenty of room for improvement. This could get confusing pretty soon, so we created a short infographic to compare these two programs’ strengths and weaknesses.Who will come out on top as the champion of presentation design software?

Take a look and see:

https://www.slideshare.net/SlideGenius/keynote-vs-powerpoint

PowerPoint FAQ: Five Common Slide Design Questions You’ve Always Wanted to Ask

PowerPoint FAQ

PowerPoint questions

presentation design

May 25, 2015

You’ve probably read many articles about creating a good PowerPoint presentation. You may even have viewed a couple of them, either live or online. Maybe even  experienced using slides to present at work. In spite of what you know, it’s still possible that you have questions about designing a memorable and impressive PowerPoint. You just don’t ask them. Either you don’t know who to ask or you’d rather find the answer for yourself.  But asking questions is good. You’ll be surprised by what you’d learn if you seek the answers to your PowerPoint questions. Before your turn to present another PowerPoint comes up, whether for your colleagues or clients, here are five common questions about presentation design for you to consider. A number of these may be things that you’ve been meaning to ask for quite some time. That’s okay. You may also want to view this PowerPoint FAQ as some sort of technical review.Let’s get started:

How many slides should my presentation have?

The number of slides that you can feature would depend on how much visual aid you need to support your topic. Many professional presenters swear by the 10/20/30 PowerPoint rule by venture capitalist and author Guy Kawasaki. It refers to using 10 slides within a 20-minute presentation, featuring fonts no smaller than 30 pt. This rule is especially useful if you’re pitching an idea to venture capitalists. With this rule, you categorize your slides as follows:

  • Problem
  • Solution
  • Business model
  • Underlying magic/technology
  • Marketing and sales
  • Competition
  • Team
  • Projections and milestones
  • Status and timeline
  • Summary and call-to-action

Should I include audio-visual elements to my presentation?

Yes, but you need to proceed with caution. Apart from the aesthetic aspect, you have to consider some technical matters such as playback problems. To keep the audio, video, and animation of your presentation from breaking up, save the corresponding files locally or to the USB drive you’re going to use.

How about slide transitions? Is it advisable to use them?

You may use slide transitions as long as you incorporate them carefully. Your transitions should reinforce the visual metaphor you’re trying to achieve or at least create a smooth flow between slides. Avoid using too many fancy transitions. Otherwise, your presentation will look amateurish and ridiculous.

What images should I include in my slides?

As with any other PowerPoint design element, the images you use should support your topic. Therefore, your presentation’s imagery would depend on your subject matter. Here’s one hint, though: People tend to connect with other people. So, as much as possible, add human elements such as faces, eyes, hands, etc. in your slides. Just make sure that the images are of high resolution and look professional, not some cheesy clip art that you Googled at the last minute.

Is there any presentation design trend that I should be aware about? Something to inform my own design?

It’s hard to pinpoint a particular trend since, like what we’ve already mentioned, there are other factors that come into play. For one, some design trends may not be applicable to your specific topic. But you may want to refer to this list for some ideas.These questions may not be all-encompassing but it should help you get some ideas the next time you create a presentation, either on your own or with the help of a professional.

3 Reasons You Should Hire a PowerPoint Specialist

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Graphic Design

pitch deck

PowerPoint specialist

presentation design

presentation specialist

Rick Enrico Blog

SlideGenius

May 19, 2015

In the digital age, the way we share and develop knowledge has been revolutionized. Presentation design is no exception. While a DIY mindset is admirable, there are compelling reasons to seek expert advice for your presentation pitch deck.At SlideGenius, we specialize in redesigning PowerPoint presentations. Get your free quote today and elevate your presentation to professional standards.Here are three crucial reasons to hire a PowerPoint specialist:

1. They Can Tell Your Story

Many companies allow their sales associates to design presentations, often leading to inconsistencies in the brand story. Audiences value presentations that consistently reflect the brand’s identity.Professional Designers: PowerPoint specialists create decks that stay true to your core identity, ensuring your audience receives a coherent message. Mismatched visuals and speech can confuse and disengage your audience. For high-class brands, cluttered slides with poor color choices can damage your credibility. A unified brand story and presentation deck effectively convey your message.Streamlined Narrative: Struggling to define your company’s narrative? Experienced marketing specialists can refine your brand story to better reflect your core values and identity.

2. They Can Wow Your Audience

PowerPoint specialists deliver eye-catching, engaging presentations that captivate audiences. Their expertise ensures your presentation meets all your needs and more.Striking Visuals: Whether you need impressive visual design, animated logos, or custom videos, a PowerPoint specialist can create them for you. A design that complements your purpose helps convey your message more effectively.Engagement: Consistent and uniform content makes your audience feel confident in your knowledge and increases the likelihood of converting interest into positive action.

3. They Can Boost Your Confidence

A well-designed PowerPoint presentation serves as a powerful visual aid. It allows you to focus on delivering your message confidently without worrying about the design.Increased Trust: A professionally designed pitch deck enhances customer trust and engagement, making your job easier and your goals more achievable.Efficiency: With a polished presentation, you can focus on other aspects of your service, improving both your product and delivery. This creates a positive feedback loop that starts and ends with excellent service.

Creating an effective presentation involves unifying your brand, core message, and purpose. If your brand deserves the best, you need the expertise of true presentation professionals.Reach out to SlideGenius and get started on the pitch deck your brand deserves!

References

“3 Reasons Why You Need a PowerPoint Presentation Specialist.” SlideGenius, Inc. August 1, 2013. Accessed May 19, 2015.”3 Additional Perks of Getting a PowerPoint Presentation Specialist.” SlideGenius, Inc. Accessed May 19, 2015.

Consider the Eyes: White Space in Great Presentation Design

deck layout

Graphic Design

presentation design

white space

May 14, 2015

In the realm of presentation design, the allure of vibrant colors, striking images, and compelling text often takes center stage. However, one of the most powerful tools at a designer’s disposal is not what you add, but what you leave out. White space, or negative space, is the unsung hero of great presentation design. It’s the canvas that allows your content to breathe, the silent partner that enhances readability, and the subtle guide that directs your audience’s attention.White space is not merely an empty area; it’s a strategic element that can transform a cluttered slide into a clean, professional, and engaging visual experience. When used effectively, white space can elevate your presentation from good to great, making your message clearer and more impactful.First and foremost, white space improves readability. When text and images are crammed together, it becomes difficult for the audience to process information. By incorporating ample white space, you create a visual hierarchy that guides the viewer’s eye through the content in a logical and comfortable manner. This not only makes your presentation more aesthetically pleasing but also ensures that your key points are easily understood and remembered.Moreover, white space enhances focus. In a world where attention spans are dwindling, it’s crucial to capture and maintain your audience’s attention. White space acts as a visual pause, giving the viewer’s eyes a moment to rest and absorb the information presented. This can be particularly effective in emphasizing important points or highlighting critical data. By isolating key elements with white space, you draw attention to what truly matters, ensuring that your message is not lost in a sea of information.Another significant benefit of white space is that it conveys a sense of sophistication and professionalism. A cluttered slide can appear overwhelming and chaotic, potentially undermining your credibility. In contrast, a well-designed slide with ample white space exudes confidence and clarity. It shows that you have carefully considered the presentation of your information, which can enhance your audience’s perception of your expertise and authority.Incorporating white space into your presentation design also fosters creativity. It allows you to experiment with different layouts and compositions, encouraging you to think outside the box. By breaking away from the temptation to fill every inch of the slide, you open up possibilities for more innovative and dynamic designs. This can make your presentation more engaging and memorable, leaving a lasting impression on your audience.To effectively use white space in your presentation design, start by simplifying your content. Focus on the essential information and eliminate any unnecessary elements. Use bullet points, short sentences, and concise language to convey your message clearly and succinctly. Next, consider the placement of your text and images. Ensure that there is enough space between different elements to avoid a cluttered appearance. Use margins and padding to create a balanced and harmonious layout.Additionally, don’t be afraid to embrace minimalism. Sometimes, less truly is more. A single powerful image or a few carefully chosen words can be more impactful than a slide filled with text and graphics. Trust in the power of white space to let your content shine.In conclusion, white space is a fundamental aspect of great presentation design that should not be overlooked. It enhances readability, improves focus, conveys professionalism, and fosters creativity. By considering the eyes and incorporating ample white space into your slides, you can create a presentation that is not only visually appealing but also effective in delivering your message. So, the next time you design a presentation, remember: sometimes, what you leave out is just as important as what you put in.”

Make an Impact and Deliver Better Business Presentations

business presentations

PowerPoint Design

presentation design

presentation tips

Feb 26, 2015

For most professionals, typical business presentations include having to sit through monotonous discussion while trying to decipher the small text projected in front them.While these scenarios are common, bland business presentations shouldn’t be the norm. For your big presentation, turn the situation around and deliver something memorable that will leave a lasting impact on your audience. That’s why we decided to review the different things you can change and emphasize for your business presentations.Take note of these essential characteristics and learn to apply them to your work:

Authenticity

The problem with most business presentations is that they often lack emotional impact.Because they’re delivered in formal settings, presenters think that business presentations need to focus on the hard facts.While data is obviously important to help build the credibility of your presentation, you still need to add a human element in order to create a connection with the audience. What better way to capture their attention and keep them engaged than by building this important rapport?Of course, this doesn’t mean that you have to try and move your colleagues to tears or leave them rolling on the floor with laughter. Your goal is to build an authentic experience for them. Instead of presenting overwhelming amounts of charts and data, try to integrate a story to your presentation.

Thorough

Following our previous point, you’ll know that business presentations commonly suffer from information overload.Without setting a clear goal, presenters tend to add too much to their content and end up prolonging the discussion with repetitive details. That’s why business presentations need to be thoroughly prepared. Solve the dilemma of an unorganized discussion by defining a clear objective.From there, meticulously curate your content to make sure everything is aligned with your goals. Cut back on the data you present and include only the numbers that are most important to help drive home your key takeaways.

Compelling

To make an impact with your business presentations, you also have to focus on how well you face the audience and deliver your speech. If you want the audience to sit up and listen, focus on creating a compelling and engaging atmosphere.As you start your presentation, catch their attention through nonverbal cues. It’s not enough to speak with confidence, you also have to exude the same amount of credibility in the way you dress and carry yourself. Avoid slouching or gestures that make you seem closed off or aloof.Don’t be too stiff—try to strike a balance between both feeling comfortable and commanding authority in front of an audience.

Visually Stimulating

Finally, business presentations also need to break out of the “Death by PowerPoint” mold.Instead of undecipherable PowerPoint slides, you need to come up with a presentation deck that is visually stimulating and interesting.This will elevate the message presented in a presentation. That said, it shouldn’t overshadow the core message with walls of text and misused bullet points.Appeal to the visual sense of the audience. Apart from carefully curating your content to make sure you don’t end up with too much text, choose high-quality images to visualize your points.Don’t forget to pick out a striking color palette and a few interesting fonts as well.Looking for inspiration from design experts? Take a look at our design portfolio or contact us for a free quote today!–Your business presentations do not have to lull the audience to sleep. Keep your colleagues engaged by making an impact they won’t soon forget. Take note of these 4 essential tips and deliver the best business presentations they’ll ever see.

References:

“3 Lessons on Choosing Fonts for Your PowerPoint Design.” SlideGenius, Inc.. January 14, 2015. Accessed February 26, 2015.”Hook, Line, and Sinker: What Makes a Great Presentation Story.” SlideGenius, Inc. December 11, 2014. Accessed February 26, 2015.”Non-Verbal Communication.” Skills You Need. Accessed February 26, 2015.”Understanding Information Overload.” Infogineering. Accessed February 26, 2015.”Where to Find Unique Images for Your Presentation Design.” SlideGenius, Inc. December 18, 2014. Accessed February 26, 2015.  Featured Image: Startup Stock Photos