presentation design Archives

What You Need to Achieve Presentation Success

PowerPoint Design

presentation design

presentation success

presentation tips

Feb 16, 2015

Delivering a successful presentation isn’t always easy. As we’ve already established, success requires a lot of planning and preparation. There’s no shortcut to achieving success. That said, start considering the essential steps to perfecting your output.Cross off these things from your to-do list and you’re sure to get where you want to be:

Establish a concrete goal

You can’t reach your destination unless you know which way to go. That’s why it’s important to establish and map out your goals—whether it be to seal a deal with prospects or gain new investors for your venture. Consider these your overall destination.To get there, you need to think about a few other markers.Set aside some time to think about what you want your presentation to be like. Aside from your overall goal, think about the message you want to share.Ask yourself what you want your listeners to remember about your presentation. What message will help you achieve more?

Connect with your audience

The next step to presentation success is making sure your message suits the audience. After all, connecting with them is a vital ingredient of your presentation. Otherwise, you’ll end up boring people.If you want to avoid such a scenario, research the people you’ll be presenting to. What kind of group are they? What is the presentation for and why should it be valuable to them?How do you make sure the points you’ll present add to their knowledge? How can you tell a story that will push them towards positive action? Consider these 4 questions to create a reliable audience profile to help build your presentation.

Use your time wisely

Time is another factor to consider when it comes to achieving presentation success. You won’t have all day to make your point, so you need to be able to create a presentation that makes the most of the time you’re given. Whether you only have 30 minutes or more than an hour, start off your presentation strong.The first few minutes is extremely crucial. Your performance during this time will help determine if your audience will maintain their attention until the very end.The introduction will set the tone of your entire presentation. Make sure you use this time to make a noticeable impression. After that, you still need to sustain the energy you initially established.Presentation expert Carmine Gallo had suggested incorporating “soft breaks” after every 10 minutes. Spend 10 minutes making your point, and then give your audience a chance to catch up by re-engaging them using these techniques.

Make sure your slides stand out

Your PowerPoint slides can play a huge role in presentation success. Even the best message needs the help of visuals to engage a commonly disengaged audience.We’ve given plenty of design advice over the years, but here are a few more that might help you on your road to presentation success:

Don’t be too conscious of the number of slides you’re using because this will depend on the content of your presentation. A more helpful method would be to draft out all the points you want to make and condense them to slides through a storyboard.
All your design choices will contribute to pushing your message forward. Make sure the color scheme, fonts, and graphics you use help set up a theme that doesn’t distract from what you’re trying to say.
Simple slides aren’t necessarily boring. In presentations, “less is more” is actually a valuable motto. A lot of presentations are weighed down by over-the-top graphics and animation. For your presentation, be mindful of using white space and other design elements.

Achieving presentation success doesn’t have to be difficult. All you need is time to plan what you want to say and prepare accordingly.

Think about the message you want to deliver and make sure everything you do helps you push that message forward to the audience. If you need any help, don’t hesitate to contact our presentation design experts. We can create PowerPoint slides that will help ensure your perfect outcome.

References

“Audience Participation: 4 Crucial Questions to Answer.” SlideGenius, Inc. August 28, 2014. Accessed February 16, 2015.”Choosing the Right Colors for Your PowerPoint Design.” SlideGenius, Inc. June 3, 2014. Accessed February 16, 2015.Gallo, Carmine. “Why PowerPoint Presentations Always Die After 10 Minutes And How To Rescue Them.” Forbes. April 30, 2014. Accessed February 16, 2015.”How to Organize Your Ideas with a Presentation Storyboard.” SlideGenius, Inc.. September 1, 2014. Accessed January 8, 2015.”Introductions: 5 Creative Ways to Start Your Presentation.” SlideGenius, Inc. November 30, 2014. Accessed February 16, 2015. Featured Image: Death to the Stock Photo

Quick PowerPoint Tips: Designing for SlideShare

PowerPoint Design

Powerpoint tips

presentation design

slideshare

Jan 21, 2015

SlideShare is a powerful platform for sharing presentations, but designing slides for SlideShare requires a slightly different approach than designing for live presentations. Since users view your slides at their own pace, without your verbal explanation, your slides need to be clear, concise, and self-explanatory.Here are some quick tips to help you design effective presentations for SlideShare:

1. Make Each Slide Self-Explanatory

Since your audience won’t hear you speak, each slide needs to stand on its own and clearly communicate the key point.Why It’s Important:

Ensures Clarity: Your audience should be able to understand the content of each slide without needing additional context or explanation.

How to Do It:

Use clear, concise headlines and include supporting text that explains your main point.
Avoid too much jargon or complex concepts unless they are explained clearly on the slide.

Example: If you’re presenting on market trends, include simple, easy-to-read charts with brief descriptions explaining the data.

2. Use Simple, Clean Visuals

SlideShare presentations are often viewed on smaller screens, such as laptops or mobile devices. To ensure readability, keep your design simple and avoid clutter.Why It’s Important:

Improves Readability: Simple visuals ensure that your slides are easy to read on any device.
Enhances Focus: Clean designs help direct the viewer’s attention to the key message of each slide.

How to Do It:

Stick to a minimalist design with plenty of white space.
Use large fonts and high-quality images that won’t lose clarity when scaled down.

Example: For a presentation on digital marketing strategies, use icons and short bullet points to summarize each strategy rather than overcrowding the slide with text.

3. Focus on One Key Point per Slide

SlideShare users often skim through presentations quickly. To keep their attention, make sure each slide conveys just one main idea or key point.Why It’s Important:

Maintains Engagement: Slides that are too busy or contain multiple points can overwhelm viewers and lead to disengagement.
Increases Retention: Focusing on one point per slide makes it easier for viewers to digest and remember the content.

How to Do It:

Break up complex ideas across multiple slides.
Summarize your key points using headlines or short bullet points, and avoid adding unnecessary details.

Example: Instead of listing all product features on one slide, dedicate one slide to each feature and explain its benefit briefly.

4. Use High-Contrast Color Schemes

On SlideShare, slides need to be visually appealing and easy to read. High-contrast color schemes help ensure that text and visuals are legible, even on small screens.Why It’s Important:

Improves Visibility: High contrast makes it easier for viewers to see your text and graphics.
Keeps the Presentation Professional: Avoid using too many colors or clashing schemes that can make your slides look unprofessional.

How to Do It:

Use a dark font on a light background or vice versa.
Stick to a cohesive color palette of 2-3 colors for consistency.

Example: Use a white background with dark blue text and a contrasting color (like orange) for key points or calls to action.

5. Add a Strong Call to Action

If your presentation has a specific goal (such as promoting a product, sharing insights, or driving traffic to a website), include a clear and compelling call to action at the end.Why It’s Important:

Encourages Audience Engagement: A call to action guides your audience on what to do next, increasing the likelihood of further interaction.
Helps Achieve Your Presentation’s Purpose: Whether you want viewers to visit your website, download a report, or contact you, a strong call to action drives results.

How to Do It:

Use action-oriented language like “Download the full report,” “Contact us today,” or “Learn more on our website.”
Place the call to action prominently on the final slide.

Example: For a product launch presentation, include a link to your product’s landing page with a call to action like, “Discover how [Product Name] can help your business grow—visit [website URL].”

Final Thoughts

Designing for SlideShare requires a focus on clarity, simplicity, and self-explanatory slides. By keeping your design minimal, using high-contrast visuals, and focusing on one key point per slide, you can create presentations that engage your SlideShare audience and communicate your message effectively. Don’t forget to include a strong call to action that directs viewers toward the next step.

PowerPoint Design Inspiration: What To Do With Marsala

color

marsala

pantone color of the year

PowerPoint Design

presentation design

presentation design trends

Jan 20, 2015

Pantone Color Institute, the world’s leading color expert, recently announced their pick for 2015 Color of the Year. While their choice was initially met with some reservations, the warm and earthy Marsala remains an intriguing choice. Thanks to the rich narrative that goes behind the shade, Marsala is sure to inspire designers and creatives of every kind.Seeing where the trends are heading, presenters should also consider incorporating the rich Marsala into their PowerPoint designs.

The narrative behind the color

According to Pantone, Marsala represents the hearty and enriching qualities of “a fulfilling meal”. Thanks to its red-brown tones, the color also emanates a “sophisticated, natural earthiness.” The editorial pictures released by Pantone picture an elegant group of friends dining comfortably together.As stated in the press release by executive director Lee Eiseman,“Marsala enriches our mind, body and soul, exuding confidence and stability… Much like the fortified wine that gives Marsala its name, this tasteful hue embodies the satisfying richness of a fulfilling meal, while its grounding red-brown roots emanate a sophisticated, natural earthiness. This hearty, yet stylish tone is universally appealing and translates easily to fashion, beauty, industrial design, home furnishings and interiors.”Following this narrative, Marsala is the perfect color for slides that want to depict a sense of luxury and a down-to-earth feel at the same time.It’s the perfect choice for presentations and pitches around real estate, apparel, and retail. It will also help if you consider your organization’s own narrative. Think of the qualities that make your brand unique. If it matches with the qualities that are symbolized by Marsala, then Pantone’s choice is an obvious win.

Working Marsala into a color palette

There are plenty of ways to pair Marsala with other colors. Pantone came up with a total of 7 palettes that you can use for inspiration.As listed on their website, Marsala’s warmth allows it to pop beside neutral colors like taupe and gray. Thanks to its rich undertones, it also works well with the colors amber, umber, as well as shades in golden yellow, green, and blue.To use similar looking palettes for your PowerPoint deck, make sure you temper these shades using a more neutral background. A PowerPoint color theme requires that you choose 2 light colors, 2 dark colors, and 6 accent colors.

Some factors to consider

Because Marsala is a rich and highly-nuanced shade, it’s important that you keep your slides balanced with a more minimalist design. You also need to make sure that the projector you’re using is working well. Busted bulbs might not pick up its wine-inspired tones. You’ll end up with a brownish shade instead. The same is true for printers.If you plan to turn your presentation into a flipbook, make sure you use a high-quality printer to make sure the color’s integrity is maintained.Marsala is a rich and vibrant color that tells a complex story.While it’s primarily expected to appear in fashion, beauty, and interior design, there’s no reason you can’t incorporate it in PowerPoint design. Allow its rich and sensual shades inspire your presentation.

Presentation Tips and Considerations for Specific Contexts

board presentations

conventions

executive presentations

meetings

PowerPoint Design

presentation design

presentation tips

seminars

workshops

Jan 19, 2015

The particulars of your presentation will depend on different things. Among those factors is the context of your presentation. Are you presenting at a big industry event? Or are you discussing tasks with colleagues in a meeting? Whatever the case, different presentation tips and considerations apply for different occasions.

Seminars and conventions

These are often held in large venues like auditoriums. Usually, you’ll be presenting from a stage with a huge projector screen looming behind you.For these occasions, the most important thing you have to think about is how well the audience can see your slides. This won’t be a problem for people sitting in the front row, but you’ll need to make sure that the experience remains the same for those seated in the back.To avoid any issues with visibility, here are a few presentation tips to consider:

Learn what you can about the venue beforehand – Ask the organizers about the particulars of the venue where you’ll be presenting. Estimate the stage size, and prepare for any restrictions.
Optimize your presentation for the equipment – You should also check the equipment you’ll be using, especially the projector and the screen. Familiarizing yourself with the type of projector can also help you diagnose some PowerPoint display issues.
Practice blocking and how you’ll move around the stage – Obviously, your presentation is more than your PowerPoint slides. As the presenter, the audience will also have to see you properly. Make sure you practice how you’ll move around the stage. Own as much of the space as you can.

Workshops

Workshops allow for more interaction between the audience and speaker. Because you’re expected to instruct the audience about a certain subject matter, the venue is optimized to make sure that there’s plenty of opportunity for face to face conversations.Unlike seminars and conventions, the obstacle you have to overcome is making sure the audience can easily follow the structure of your presentation.Here are some important presentation tips to remember when preparing for workshops:

Make sure you can easily navigate through your presentation – A workshop involves two-way communication. Someone in your audience might start asking questions that you expect to cover in a later slide. When this happens, it helps if your deck utilizes hyperlinks for easy navigation.
Distribute presentation handouts – A quick way to make sure the audience follows what you’re saying is by creating handouts. Distribute it at the beginning of your presentation and encourage them to add their own notes along the margins.
Prepare to improvise – Lastly, keep in mind that because of its interactive quality, you can’t always stick to the script you planned. Always be flexible and don’t be afraid to follow the curve balls that the audience throws at you.

Executive or board presentations

When you’re presenting to executives or board members, keep in mind that the stakes are unbelievably high. In more formal business settings, the outcome of your presentation affects what comes next for your career. For instances like this, you need to value brevity and clarity above anything else.Keep your delivery well-polished by following these presentation tips:

Focus on your core message: Executives and board members aren’t interested in long and winding discussions. Get straight to the point and keep your focus on the core message.
Back up your points with concise data: For formal business presentations, fancy rhetoric isn’t enough to win your audience over. You also need to make sure that your points are backed up by evidence. Present your data in a concise manner using eye-catching visuals.
Take the time to rehearse: It’s totally normal to feel nervous about high-stakes presentations. To make sure things over perfectly, take the time to rehearse every aspect of your presentation. Learn your points and practice how you’ll incorporate your slides to your speech.

Small group meetings

There are also presentations that involve a smaller crowd. If you’re leading a meeting, you’ll likely face just a small group of participants. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be as prepared as you would be on other presentation scenarios. You also need to make sure that your points are well-prepared. Make the audience feel included in your discussion.Stanford professor JD Schramm presents five questions to ask yourself when faced in small group meetings. Apart from his initial five questions, Schramm provides a few extra notes:

Opt for a printed or tablet presentation deck: It will be easier to facilitate a small group meeting if everyone can navigate through your presentation deck at their own pace. Create a printed presentation deck instead. You can also distribute your PowerPoint file ahead of time so that participants can sync them to their own devices.
Don’t take your nonverbal cues for granted: Even is small-scale presentations feel a lot more casual, you shouldn’t take nonverbal cues for granted. Make sure you present an aura of authority the same way you would while you’re on stage.
Leave room for open discussion: Meetings are supposed to be collaborative in nature. Make sure you allot specific moments for the participants to join in your discussion.

–There’s plenty to consider depending the context of your presentation. To achieve the best outcome, prepare according to context and occasion. These presentation tips will help you figure out what to consider.

References:

“Designing PowerPoint Decks for the Smartphone.” SlideGenius, Inc. September 23, 2014. Accessed January 19, 2015.”PowerPoint Design Tips for Presenting Data.” SlideGenius, Inc. December 1, 2014. Accessed January 19, 2015″PowerPoint Tutorial – Hyperlinks.” UPenn Workshops. Accessed January 12, 2016.Schramm, JD. “How to Present to a Small Audience.” Harvard Business Review. August 20, 2014. Accessed January 19, 2015.”Tips for Small-Scale Presentations.” SlideGenius, Inc. October 13, 2014. Accessed January 12, 2016. Featured Image: University of the Fraser Valley via Flickr

3 Lessons on Choosing Fonts for Your PowerPoint Design

fonts

PowerPoint Design

presentation design

Jan 15, 2015

Choosing fonts for your PowerPoint design can be a bit overwhelming. Considering options you have available, it can be hard to make a choice that will work well with your presentations. There are default typefaces available on your computer, and there are also fonts you can download from the Internet.In that wealth of choices, you’ll find a variety of different designs and aesthetics. When it comes to choosing which of these types to use for your PowerPoint design, it will depend on a few different factors.

Think about your theme

As we constantly discuss in this blog, your PowerPoint design should serve to highlight the core message of your presentation.Instead of settling with a font that looks great, try to match what you’re trying to say. Think of it as a vessel for your message. After all, it’s going to determine how the words on your slides will literally look. It shouldn’t feel inorganic.Before choosing a font, go back to the theme of your presentation. Aside from reviewing what it’s about, you should also examine its underlying context. What is it for? Where will it be delivered?A presentation for the board of directors will have a more conventional feel than a seminar for young professionals. When you’re looking at several different fonts, try to determine what kind of narrative they portray and see if that fits the theme of your presentation.When you’re looking at several different fonts, try to determine what kind of narrative they portray and see if that fits the theme of your presentation.

Familiarize yourself with how fonts are categorized

One way to check which fonts will work well with your presentations is by taking note of what each one says.As with most things, different fonts have different meanings. Thanks to the different cultural associations we attach to a certain aesthetic, some fonts carry meaning that allows your message to transcend even further.According to Dan Mayer of Smashing Magazine, we can categorize fonts in five different ways. If you want to know which ones work best with another, take note of how each category is described:

Geometric Sans: These are fonts based on “strict geometric forms.” Fonts like Helvetica and Franklin Gothic all look clean and modern. Mayer also describes them as “objective, … universal and useful.”
Old Style: These fonts are usually based on classic and traditional typefaces that were developed from calligraphic forms. For example, Palatino and Garamond.
Humanist Sans: Humanist fonts are patterned from handwriting. Unlike other fonts, they have less consistency and more unique details. As Mayer writes, these fonts can be “modern yet human, clear yet empathetic”.
Transitional and Modern: These fonts grew out of from the Old Style category. According to Mayer, both Transitional and Modern typefaces “emerged as type designers experimented with making their letterforms more geometric, sharp and virtuosic”. Examples include Times New Roman and Baskerville for Transitional and Bodoni and Didot for Modern.
Slab Serifs: These fonts are highly stylized, with smooth strokes that end with solid, rectangular blocks on the end. For Mayer, these fonts convey “a sense of authority”. Examples include Rockwell, Courier, and Archer.

Create unique combinations

Your PowerPoint design won’t look as dynamic if you use a single font for the entire deck. Of course, you’ll want to add a bit of variety to keep the audience interested.Combine a few different fonts to achieve a completely unique and interesting look. The important thing is that you don’t get carried away.Ideally, it’s best to limit your font choices to about 2-3 styles. This way, your presentation deck maintains a look that’s focused, consistent and professional.Something else you’ll have to consider is how your chosen combination works together. Your font combinations should have enough contrast between them so that they stand out.There’s no point to combining two fonts that look similar. Adding contrast to your selections will help you emphasize certain points in your slides. This will help if you want the audience to see your key takeaways and headlines immediately.There are plenty of fonts to choose from to improve your design, but don’t let this overwhelm you. Take note of these three lessons to make sure your slides stand out.

Presentation Tips: 5 Quick Ways to a PowerPoint Design Boost

PowerPoint Design

powerpoint design tips

presentation design

presentation tips

Dec 29, 2014

Do you still have a presentation that needs to be wrapped up before the year ends? Don’t forget to give your PowerPoint design a much needed boost. As you know, it’s important to end the year with a bang. The last message you share for 2014 should resonate with the audience. Aside from learning the best way to communicate with them, you have to make sure that your visuals are eye-catching and unforgettable.Here’s a quick rundown of simple tips and tricks for a PowerPoint design boost:

1.) Use bullet points correctly

As we mentioned previously, there’s a time and place for bullet points in your PowerPoint design. Most people use bullet points to list down lengthy paragraphs of text when they should only be used to list down key information. In other words, using bullet points should help you present details in a way that’s easy for your audience to digest. You don’t use them to cram a dozen different sentences in a single slide. You use them to create a list of important information that the audience can easily see and discern. There’s nothing wrong with using bullet points, but don’t forget that there’s a right way to utilize them.

2.) Experiment by creating custom templates

If you’re in a hurry to finish your presentation, using PowerPoint templates will definitely make the job easier. However, these templates often have a reputation of being boring and repetitive. Luckily, there’s a way you can use them without sacrificing your creativity. As we detailed in this tutorial, you can create custom PowerPoint designs by using the Slide Master option. It might take a bit more effort, but it’s worth it to have a template that’s unique to your presentation. Tailor fit any template for your specific situation by changing up the look to match your branding.

3.) Create the perfect mood with the right colors

Speaking of branding, picking the right colors is one of the best ways to make sure your business identity is evident in your PowerPoint design. The correct color choices will also add more dimension to what you’re delivering. Since colors are often have specific cultural associations, choosing the right color will help you add more meaning to the topic you’re tackling. For example, the color blue and gray is often associated with professionalism. On the other hand, the color purple connotes luxury and exclusivity. If you want to create a palette that matches the mood of your presentation, do some quick research on the different cultural associations behind specific colors. You can start here.

4.) Find balance by using well-matched fonts

It’s also important to keep your PowerPoint design well-balanced and harmonized. One way you can do that is by making sure you choose fonts that match each other. Even when you have plenty to choose from, make sure that your fonts complement each other. You can opt for a contrasting Serif and Sans Serif pair, but you can also create a unified look by choosing fonts from the same family or typeface. Whatever you decide, just make sure to limit your choice within 2-3 styles. Going overboard will create too much distraction and your PowerPoint design will end up looking inorganic. Another important rule to keep in mind is readability. Make sure everything in your slides can be read by the farthest person from the screen.

5.) Highlight your message with the perfect images

Finally, your PowerPoint design won’t work if you don’t have images to illustrate your points. This is a tip we’ve repeated so much in the last year because it should never be left unsaid. Your PowerPoint design will be far more effective if you let go of lengthy paragraphs and use images to highlight your message instead. The Internet is a great source to find whatever you need. Take the time to browse through all these sites to find something that will help you tell the story of your presentation. Visual storytelling is a growing trend in the world of business, so make sure your PowerPoint design doesn’t fall behind.

These tips may seem ordinary, but they all bear repeating. You can’t expect to boost your PowerPoint design if you don’t start at the basics. Follow these tips and work your way towards more creative and memorable presentations.

If you need more help, don’t hesitate to reach out and contact our PowerPoint design experts! Featured Image: Life of Pix

Where to Find Unique Images for Your Presentation Design

PowerPoint Design

presentation design

presentation resources

presentation tools

Dec 19, 2014

Images are a critical component of any successful presentation. They help convey your message visually, engage your audience, and make your slides more dynamic. However, finding the right, unique images that stand out and complement your presentation design can be challenging. Instead of relying on generic stock photos that everyone else uses, there are a number of resources available that offer high-quality, unique images for your presentation.Here’s a guide to where you can find unique images for your presentation design, ensuring your slides look polished and professional.

1. Unsplash

Why It’s Unique:

Unsplash is one of the most popular platforms for high-quality, royalty-free images. The site offers a large selection of images taken by photographers from around the world, making it a go-to for unique, artistic, and modern visuals.

Best For:

Stunning landscapes
Artistic and lifestyle photography
Modern, creative imagery

License:

All images are free to use for commercial and non-commercial purposes with no attribution required, though it’s always appreciated.

Website:

Unsplash

2. Pexels

Why It’s Unique:

Pexels offers a vast collection of free stock photos and videos contributed by photographers. The platform excels in providing visually appealing images that are curated for quality, ensuring that they’re both relevant and aesthetically pleasing.

Best For:

Minimalist designs
Professional and creative imagery
High-quality video clips

License:

Images and videos are free to use for commercial and non-commercial purposes. No attribution is required, though it’s encouraged.

Website:

Pexels

3. Pixabay

Why It’s Unique:

Pixabay is a well-rounded platform that offers not only photos, but also vectors, illustrations, and videos. With over 1.9 million free stock images, it’s easy to find the right image for your presentation, regardless of your theme or topic.

Best For:

Illustrations and vectors
Abstract and conceptual photography
Nature and travel photography

License:

Pixabay offers images that are free for commercial and non-commercial use, with no attribution required.

Website:

Pixabay

4. Burst by Shopify

Why It’s Unique:

Burst is Shopify’s free stock photo platform, offering high-resolution images designed to help entrepreneurs and businesses create engaging visuals. The images are primarily focused on business-related themes, including eCommerce, technology, and marketing.

Best For:

Business, tech, and eCommerce themes
Product-based presentations
Modern and lifestyle photography

License:

All images are free to use with no attribution required, though crediting the photographer is encouraged.

Website:

Burst

5. Reshot

Why It’s Unique:

Reshot is a platform for discovering truly unique stock photos, particularly for startups, freelancers, and designers. The images on Reshot are non-stocky, meaning you won’t find overly staged or generic-looking visuals here. It offers more creative and authentic imagery compared to other free stock photo websites.

Best For:

Authentic, non-stocky visuals
Candid lifestyle images
Startup and tech-related photography

License:

Reshot’s photos are free for commercial and personal use with no attribution required.

Website:

Reshot

6. Death to Stock

Why It’s Unique:

Death to Stock offers a unique take on stock photography by providing high-quality, creative images that are less traditional. The platform offers both free and premium subscriptions, and their imagery tends to be artistic, contemporary, and stylish.

Best For:

Creative, artistic photography
Editorial-style images
Story-driven visuals

License:

Free users can access a limited selection of images for personal and commercial use. A premium membership unlocks access to the full library of images.

Website:

Death to Stock

7. Morguefile

Why It’s Unique:

Morguefile is one of the oldest free stock image sites on the web, offering a large library of user-contributed images. While the site’s focus is on raw and unpolished images, it’s a great resource if you’re looking for something less commercial and more authentic.

Best For:

DIY-style images
Everyday life photography
Quirky and unconventional visuals

License:

All images are free for commercial and personal use, but attribution is required in some cases.

Website:

Morguefile

8. Canva’s Free Photo Library

Why It’s Unique:

Canva is a well-known graphic design tool that also provides access to a free library of stock photos. While Canva is primarily used for design, its free stock photo library is rich in modern, high-quality images that work well for presentations, marketing, and social media.

Best For:

Business and marketing presentations
Modern, lifestyle images
Seamlessly integrated design and photo elements

License:

Images in Canva’s free library are available for both commercial and personal use, and Canva also offers premium options.

Website:

Canva

9. LibreStock

Why It’s Unique:

LibreStock is a meta-search engine for free stock images. It searches through dozens of free stock photo websites (like Pexels, Pixabay, and others), aggregating them into one easy-to-search platform. This helps save time and ensures that you’re exposed to a wide variety of unique images.

Best For:

Comprehensive image searches
Easy access to multiple free photo platforms
Curated, high-quality visuals

License:

The images are aggregated from multiple sites, so licenses may vary, but most are free for commercial use without attribution.

Website:

LibreStock

10. StockSnap.io

Why It’s Unique:

StockSnap.io offers a large collection of high-resolution stock photos with a focus on quality and style. The platform features a search function that makes it easy to find trending and popular images, giving you access to some of the most eye-catching and unique visuals available.

Best For:

High-resolution, modern photos
Business, nature, and lifestyle photography
Trending and popular images

License:

All images on StockSnap.io are free for personal and commercial use with no attribution required.

Website:

StockSnap.io

Final Thoughts

Finding unique images for your presentation doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By exploring these platforms, you can discover high-quality, unique images that will elevate the visual appeal of your slides and help communicate your message more effectively. Whether you’re looking for professional business photos, abstract illustrations, or creative lifestyle imagery, the platforms mentioned above offer a wide variety of options to suit your needs.When selecting images, make sure they align with your overall presentation theme and message to ensure that your visuals support, rather than detract from, the content you’re delivering.

Using White Space in PowerPoint Design—a Closer Look

design

design lessons

PowerPoint Design

presentation design

white space

Dec 05, 2014

White space, also known as negative space, is an essential yet often overlooked element of design. In PowerPoint presentations, white space refers to the areas of a slide that are intentionally left blank or without content. While it may seem counterintuitive, using white space effectively can enhance the clarity, focus, and overall aesthetic of your presentation. It creates a cleaner, more professional look and helps your audience focus on the key elements of your message.Here’s a closer look at the importance of white space in PowerPoint design and how you can use it to elevate your presentations:

1. Improves Readability and Focus

One of the primary functions of white space is to improve readability by giving the text and visuals room to breathe. When a slide is packed with too much content, the audience can feel overwhelmed, making it harder to absorb information. White space separates elements, helping viewers focus on one point at a time.How to Use It:

Limit Text: Avoid cramming too much text onto a slide. Stick to concise bullet points or short sentences and leave space around them to draw attention to the key ideas.
Space Between Elements: Increase the space between text, images, and other objects to prevent the slide from feeling cluttered.

Example: A slide that introduces key metrics can feature a large, bold number in the center with plenty of white space around it, emphasizing the importance of the data and making it the focal point.

2. Creates a Clean, Professional Aesthetic

White space gives your PowerPoint slides a modern, clean, and polished look. Professional presentations avoid overcrowding, ensuring that the design feels balanced and purposeful. The use of negative space can make a presentation feel less dense and more visually appealing.How to Use It:

Balance Text and Visuals: Ensure that your text and visuals are well-balanced on the slide. Place text on one side and a relevant image or graph on the other, leaving white space between them for a sleek, professional look.
Avoid Overuse of Graphics: Keep the number of elements on each slide minimal, ensuring that each serves a clear purpose. A few well-placed graphics with ample white space are more effective than overcrowded visuals.

Example: For a product launch presentation, include a large, high-quality image of the product with simple text on one side, leaving the rest of the slide as white space for a sophisticated look.

3. Enhances Visual Hierarchy

White space helps establish a visual hierarchy by guiding the audience’s attention to the most important elements on the slide. It enables you to prioritize content, ensuring that the most critical information stands out.How to Use It:

Highlight Key Points: Use white space around headings, quotes, or data points to make them the focal point of the slide.
Use Contrast: Contrast works hand in hand with white space to create emphasis. A simple, bold headline or a key figure on a white background immediately captures attention.

Example: If you’re presenting a quote from a client or expert, place it in large, bold text at the center of the slide with plenty of space around it. This isolates the quote, making it stand out.

4. Simplifies Complex Information

PowerPoint presentations often involve conveying complex information, such as data, statistics, or charts. White space can make this information more digestible by simplifying the design and allowing viewers to focus on individual components.How to Use It:

Simplify Data Visualizations: When presenting data, reduce clutter by leaving enough space between charts, graphs, or tables. This makes it easier for your audience to process the information.
Chunk Information: Break down large amounts of information into smaller, more manageable sections, each with ample white space around it to aid comprehension.

Example: When presenting a series of charts, use multiple slides, each focusing on one key data point, rather than squeezing several charts onto one slide. This allows the audience to focus on one piece of information at a time.

5. Enhances User Experience

Ultimately, white space enhances the user experience by making your presentation more visually appealing and easier to navigate. Viewers are more likely to stay engaged with a presentation that feels organized and thoughtfully designed.How to Use It:

Create Breathing Room: Leave room around slide titles, images, and text boxes so the audience doesn’t feel overwhelmed by the content.
Avoid Overcrowding Slides: If you have a lot of content to present, spread it across multiple slides rather than cramming everything onto one. This maintains a clean design and prevents information overload.

Example: If you’re presenting multiple aspects of a business strategy, dedicate one slide to each part, with enough space between text blocks to maintain clarity and structure.

Final Thoughts

White space is a powerful design tool in PowerPoint presentations. It not only enhances readability and focus but also improves the overall aesthetics of your slides. By using white space strategically, you can create a clean, professional, and engaging presentation that keeps your audience focused on your message. When designing your next PowerPoint, remember that less is often more—embrace white space to elevate the quality of your presentation.

Prezi Design Tips: How to Leverage Your Brand

brand

Branding

presentation branding

presentation design

prezi design

Prezi Feature of the Week

prezi tips

prezi tutorial

Dec 04, 2014

Prezi offers a dynamic and visually captivating way to present ideas, going beyond the traditional linear structure of PowerPoint. The tool’s unique zooming interface and canvas-based approach can help your brand stand out in the marketplace—if you know how to use it effectively. To fully leverage your brand in Prezi, you need to incorporate the core elements of your company’s identity, such as your logo, color palette, fonts, and messaging.Here’s a guide to designing a Prezi that not only engages your audience but also reinforces your brand identity.

1. Start with Your Brand’s Visual Identity

Your brand’s visual identity is the foundation of any presentation, and Prezi is no exception. Before you begin designing, gather the essential elements that define your brand—such as colors, logos, and typography. Consistent use of these elements builds brand recognition and trust with your audience.

How to Do It:

Customize Your Prezi Theme: Prezi allows you to create custom themes to reflect your brand. Begin by setting the background color, fonts, and title styles to match your company’s brand guidelines.
- Go to the Prezi Editor → Customize → Advanced Settings to edit the background, font, and shapes.
Use Your Brand Colors: Incorporate your brand’s color palette throughout the presentation. Prezi allows you to apply your own colors to backgrounds, frames, and text.
- Tip: Use your primary color for important elements like titles and calls to action, and secondary colors for accents and emphasis.

Example:

If your brand uses a navy blue and orange color palette, make sure the background or key elements in your Prezi incorporate these colors consistently.

2. Leverage Prezi’s Dynamic Features to Showcase Brand Storytelling

Prezi’s zooming and path-based format is perfect for non-linear storytelling. Rather than moving slide by slide, Prezi allows you to zoom into different parts of your presentation, which can help convey your brand story in a more engaging way.

How to Do It:

Map Out Your Brand Story: Prezi’s canvas is an open space where you can plot your content visually. Structure your presentation like a journey, using zoom-in transitions to reveal key elements of your brand’s story.
- Start with an overview of your company, then zoom into different parts of the canvas to explore your mission, values, product history, and other details.
Use Frames to Organize Content: Frames in Prezi act as containers for content, allowing you to group ideas or sections together. Use branded colors and shapes to differentiate various sections of your story, such as product features, company history, or future goals.
Zoom for Emphasis: Zooming in on your company’s milestones, key achievements, or new initiatives makes them feel more impactful and exciting for your audience.

Example:

If you’re telling the story of your brand’s evolution, start with an overview of your company, then zoom into specific timelines or product launches. Each zoom reveals more detailed information, such as customer testimonials or product successes.

3. Incorporate Branded Visuals

Images, icons, and graphics are a critical part of your presentation design. In Prezi, visuals have an even greater impact because of the zoom feature. High-quality, branded visuals help reinforce your message and make your presentation more engaging.

How to Do It:

Use Branded Icons and Graphics: Instead of generic visuals, use custom icons and graphics that reflect your brand’s aesthetic. Prezi allows you to upload your own images, so ensure they align with your visual identity.
Maintain Image Consistency: Stick to a consistent image style, whether it’s minimalistic, realistic, or illustrative. This keeps your presentation cohesive and professional.
Brand Your Imagery: If possible, use images that directly reflect your brand. This could include images of your products, employees, or customer success stories.

Example:

If your company has a specific style of product photography (e.g., high-contrast images or minimalist designs), incorporate these images into your Prezi to visually communicate your brand’s personality.

4. Align Fonts with Brand Guidelines

Typography is a powerful branding tool that reflects the tone and personality of your business. Prezi allows for font customization, so use this feature to align your text with your brand’s typography guidelines.

How to Do It:

Choose Brand Fonts: Prezi gives you the option to choose custom fonts from their library or upload your own. Select fonts that are part of your company’s branding, such as the font used on your website or in printed materials.
Set a Font Hierarchy: Ensure that your headers, subheaders, and body text use a clear hierarchy to maintain readability. Stick to a few font sizes and weights for consistency and professionalism.
Keep It Readable: While creative fonts are great, make sure they are legible, especially on smaller screens or during remote presentations. Balance creativity with clarity.

Example:

If your brand uses a clean, modern font like Helvetica for headlines, and a simpler font like Arial for body text, replicate that in your Prezi to maintain brand consistency.

5. Structure Your Content with a Clear Visual Flow

Prezi’s zooming transitions allow for a more creative structure than traditional slide decks. However, it’s crucial to ensure that your audience can follow the flow of your presentation easily. A clear structure makes your message more impactful and avoids confusion.

How to Do It:

Organize Content Logically: While Prezi allows for non-linear navigation, it’s important to guide your audience through your presentation in a logical order. Plan out a path that takes your audience through key sections of your brand’s story.
Use Zoom for Subtle Transitions: Avoid zooming too far in or out, as this can disorient your audience. Instead, use smooth transitions that flow naturally between points.
Create a Strong Overview: Start with a high-level overview of your presentation’s key points, then zoom into more specific areas of interest.

Example:

For a product launch, create a map where each section of the presentation focuses on a different product feature. Begin with an overarching statement about the product’s benefits, then zoom into detailed explanations of features or customer use cases.

6. Add Interactive Elements to Boost Engagement

One of Prezi’s advantages is its ability to add interactive elements to your presentation, making it a more engaging experience. Interactive features allow your audience to explore the presentation at their own pace or to dive deeper into specific content.

How to Do It:

Embed Videos and Animations: Incorporating branded video content can help tell your brand’s story in a visually engaging way. You can also embed short product demos, customer testimonials, or behind-the-scenes videos to make your presentation interactive.
Hyperlinks to External Resources: Prezi allows you to embed hyperlinks to websites, reports, or documents. Use these links to direct the audience to your company’s landing pages, social media profiles, or other branded content.
Add Clickable Frames: Create frames that viewers can click to zoom into a specific part of the presentation. This makes your Prezi more interactive and gives your audience the freedom to explore your brand’s story.

Example:

For a presentation about a new service, embed a customer testimonial video or link to your company’s case study page to provide further insights and increase audience interaction.

7. Maintain a Strong Brand Voice

While Prezi offers many opportunities to get creative with visuals and structure, it’s important to maintain a consistent brand voice throughout your presentation. The way you present your content should reflect your company’s personality, whether it’s formal and professional or casual and conversational.

How to Do It:

Keep Your Messaging Consistent: Ensure that the language used in your Prezi aligns with your company’s tone of voice. Whether you’re using industry jargon or friendly, approachable language, consistency is key to reinforcing your brand identity.
Highlight Key Brand Messages: Incorporate your company’s tagline, mission statement, or unique value proposition within the presentation to remind the audience of your core values.

Example:

If your brand voice is innovative and bold, craft short, punchy statements that reflect that tone. Use headlines like “Transforming the Future of Healthcare” rather than longer, formal statements.

Final Thoughts

Prezi offers a unique and engaging platform to elevate your brand through presentations. By integrating your brand’s visual identity, storytelling techniques, and interactive features, you can create a dynamic presentation that not only captures attention but also reinforces your brand’s values and personality.With thoughtful design and strategic use of Prezi’s features, your presentation can go beyond delivering information—it can become an immersive experience that leaves a lasting impression on your audience. Leverage the power of Prezi to highlight your brand and stand out from the competition.

The Top 10 Best PowerPoint Design Practices

compilation

PowerPoint Design

powerpoint design practices

presentation design

Nov 19, 2014

Designing a compelling PowerPoint presentation is crucial to delivering an engaging and memorable message. A well-designed presentation enhances your content and makes it easier for your audience to follow along. Whether you’re presenting to a small team or a large audience, following PowerPoint design best practices can significantly improve the effectiveness of your deck.Here are the top 10 best PowerPoint design practices:

1. Keep It Simple and Focused

Simplicity is key to effective PowerPoint design. Avoid overcrowding your slides with too much text or too many images, which can overwhelm your audience. Each slide should focus on one main idea.Why It’s Important:

Clear Communication: Simplified slides help your audience quickly understand the core message.
Avoid Overload: Too much information on one slide can make it hard for the audience to follow.

How to Do It:

Limit slides to one topic or key message.
Use bullet points sparingly—no more than 5-6 points per slide.

2. Use High-Quality Images and Graphics

Visuals are powerful in presentations, but poor-quality images can reduce the credibility of your message. Always use high-resolution images and relevant graphics to support your points.Why It’s Important:

Visual Appeal: High-quality images make your presentation look more professional and engaging.
Supports Understanding: Well-chosen visuals can help explain complex concepts or data.

How to Do It:

Use high-resolution images that are crisp and clear, even when displayed on large screens.
Avoid using clichéd or irrelevant stock images—choose images that enhance your message.

3. Maintain Consistency in Design

Consistency in fonts, colors, and formatting across your slides creates a professional and cohesive look. Inconsistent design can be distracting and reduce the impact of your presentation.Why It’s Important:

Improves Professionalism: Consistency helps reinforce your brand identity and creates a unified look.
Enhances Readability: Consistent font and color choices make your slides easier to follow.

How to Do It:

Stick to a set color scheme and use the same fonts throughout the presentation.
Use slide templates or themes to maintain uniformity.

4. Use Contrasting Colors for Readability

Choosing the right color contrast between text and background is essential for readability. Low contrast can make your text difficult to read, while high contrast makes it stand out.Why It’s Important:

Enhances Readability: High contrast ensures your text is legible, even from a distance.
Creates Visual Hierarchy: Contrasting colors can help emphasize key points and direct the audience’s attention.

How to Do It:

Use dark text on light backgrounds or light text on dark backgrounds.
Use color contrast to highlight important points or titles.

5. Limit Text and Bullet Points

PowerPoint slides should not be text-heavy. Long paragraphs of text or too many bullet points will cause your audience to read instead of listen to you.Why It’s Important:

Prevents Overload: Short, focused text helps your audience absorb key points without getting bogged down by too much information.
Keeps Audience Focused on You: Limiting text ensures the audience listens to your explanation rather than reading the slide.

How to Do It:

Stick to key points or summaries and elaborate verbally during the presentation.
Use no more than 5-6 bullet points per slide, and keep bullet points brief.

6. Choose the Right Font and Size

The fonts you choose can impact the readability and tone of your presentation. Ensure your fonts are easy to read, even from a distance, and appropriate for your audience.Why It’s Important:

Improves Readability: The right font size ensures that your audience can read your text, regardless of their distance from the screen.
Sets the Tone: Font choice can set the tone for your presentation—whether it’s professional, casual, or creative.

How to Do It:

Use sans-serif fonts (like Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica) for clean, modern text.
Use at least 24pt font for body text and larger sizes for titles and headings.

7. Incorporate Visual Hierarchy

A clear visual hierarchy helps your audience follow your presentation by organizing the information in a logical flow. You can achieve this by varying font sizes, colors, and placements to guide the viewer’s eye.Why It’s Important:

Enhances Understanding: A well-organized slide makes it easier for your audience to follow the flow of information.
Prioritizes Key Points: A strong visual hierarchy helps you highlight the most important elements of each slide.

How to Do It:

Make titles and key points larger than other text.
Use bold or contrasting colors to emphasize important information.

8. Leverage White Space

White space (or negative space) is the empty space around text and graphics. It helps break up content, improves readability, and makes your presentation look cleaner and more professional.Why It’s Important:

Prevents Clutter: White space keeps your slides from feeling overcrowded or overwhelming.
Increases Focus: It allows key elements to stand out and directs attention to what matters most.

How to Do It:

Avoid filling every inch of the slide with content.
Leave space around images, text, and graphics to improve readability.

9. Use Animations and Transitions Sparingly

Animations and transitions can add dynamism to your presentation, but overusing them can be distracting. Use them sparingly and only when they serve a purpose.Why It’s Important:

Prevents Distractions: Too many animations or transitions can distract from your message.
Enhances Engagement: Well-timed animations can help emphasize key points and keep the audience engaged.

How to Do It:

Use subtle animations for text and images to appear gradually.
Avoid using flashy transitions between slides—stick to simple fades or cuts.

10. Test Your Presentation on Different Devices

Presentations may look different depending on the screen size or resolution. Always test your presentation on the device you’ll be using to ensure everything displays correctly.Why It’s Important:

Prevents Technical Issues: Testing your presentation ensures that fonts, images, and animations appear as expected.
Optimizes for Audience View: Testing on a projector or external screen allows you to check how your presentation looks to the audience.

How to Do It:

Run through your entire presentation on the device you’ll be using to present.
Test it in both Presenter View and standard view to ensure everything works smoothly.

Final Thoughts

By following these best practices, you can create PowerPoint presentations that are not only visually appealing but also effective in communicating your message. From keeping your design simple and focused to using white space and testing on different devices, these tips will help you deliver a polished and professional presentation.