Over the past few weeks, we've compiled 25 tips for creating engaging presentation content . In this blog series ( parts 2 and 3 ), we'll now focus on the design of your presentation. With our design tips and design no-gos, you can create visually appealing slides and captivate your audience with compelling visuals.

1. Design your slides simply

The concept of "less is more" is an essential component of almost every design philosophy and is particularly relevant when designing presentation slides, where space is limited. Fewer design elements make a message clearer. Furthermore, this allows the truly important points to stand out more effectively. Simplicity can take many forms, such as a small color palette or a few carefully selected photos.

2. Find a design tailored to your target audience.

Gather as much information as possible about your audience before your presentation. Age, occupation, hobbies, etc. – all of this is important data that will help you tailor the design and content of your slides to your audience. Address the specific interests and needs of your target group and adjust your image selection, language, etc., accordingly.

3. Use high-resolution images

High-quality, high-resolution photos paired with a catchy phrase or word can make a slide truly stand out. Ensure the text is chosen in a color that complements the image and is easily legible in the photo. Avoid pixelated images unless pixelation is a key design element or theme of your presentation. Otherwise, the images will be difficult to recognize and make your slides appear unprofessional.

4. Stock photo do's

If you choose to use a stock photo for a presentation slide, make sure of the following: The stock photo should not look like a typical stock photo. It should convey natural impressions that relate to your message and be edited in such a way that it supports your text and fits your layout.

Ideally, the viewer will realize that you specifically chose this image for your presentation because it enhances your content and conveys it better.

5. Stock photo don'ts

Avoid using stock photos of people in unnatural poses. Examples include people looking directly at the camera or smiling into nothingness. Also, be careful not to insert an image directly into your presentation without first experimenting with it, cropping it, or otherwise editing it to potentially improve its fit with the slide's layout and text.

6. Pay attention to the file size of videos and images.

Generally, you should always select graphics and videos of the best quality and highest resolution for your presentation. However, there may be times when you need to pay attention to file size, for example, if you are playing your PowerPoint presentation on someone else's device. In such cases, you shouldn't risk overloading your presentation with tons of videos and images that could easily crash due to their high quality and large file size.

In this case, it's best to keep it simple and ask yourself whether your presentation really needs this video, or whether you can explain what's shown in it better in person.

7. Avoid visual clichés

It can be difficult to combine complex content with images. This is often the reason why presentations fall victim to visual clichés: they show pictures of handshakes, people on the phone with forced smiles, and many other boring stock photos.

Instead, be creative and use metaphors when designing your slides. Think abstractly and use the power of symbolism – for example, you could show a lighthouse for the topic of "Outlook/Vision".

8. Use a mood board

Need a little design inspiration? Create a mood board. Place various visual inspirations on it – from newspaper clippings and screenshots to examples from other presentations and many other elements. Add it page by page to get an overall impression of a possible design style.

The next issue will focus on proper color design and the presentation of established design methods.