Design tips for Powerpoint presentations

I think it's safe to say that "bad design" can easily occur in a program such as Microsoft Powerpoint. We've seen countless poorly designed slides, whether it was in college, a conference, or a business meeting. Let's put an end to this people! Sure, the program lacks the design features we'd love to have (such as in Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign), but there is a way around it! Here are some guidelines you can follow in order to achieve that eye-catching presentation you've always dreamed of.

 

Try to forget about clipart and any low-res pictures that may appear pixelated. Good photography can really enhance the quality of your presentation. Can't find an appropriate picture to throw on the slide? Remember: no photo is better than a bad photo. If you don't have a stock photo account, try Stock XCHNG for some free photography.

 

 

 

Make sure the slides in your presentation follow a similar feel, or identity. Use the same fonts, colors, headers, logos, etc. Make sure your color choices compliment each other well.

 

 

Typography is important

Considering your font choices is just as important as selecting appropriate photos/design elements for your Powerpoint. Typography is also a form of art, and selecting the right typeface will add something to an attractive presentation.

 

 

 

Solid colors can be powerful

You don't always need to fill pages with photos and gradients. The photo shown above is a simple, 3-color slide with big bold letters. And it has a powerful impact. It catches your attention. Make sure to use plenty of contrast within your color choices.

 

 

Hopefully, these few pointers can help guide you down the road to successfull Powerpoint presentation design. For more inspiration, please read Great Powerpoint Inspiration.