In the last part of our presentation design series ( parts 1 and 2 ), we discuss the use of icons and diagrams, as well as the alignment and hierarchization of your content.
1. Present information in an appealing way
You have a lot of data at once and don't know whether to simply copy it all onto a presentation slide, present it in a chart, or perhaps leave it out altogether? With every data set, there's the option to filter out the most important statements and key players, or to summarize all the information in a general statement.
Or you can select the 3 most important points and dedicate a separate slide to each of them, so as not to overwhelm the audience with an overloaded page.
2. Create creative lists
Even though bullet points are generally considered a design no-go, sometimes lists are necessary on a slide. However, these don't have to be arranged in PowerPoint's typical vertical layout. Let your creativity flow and, for example, arrange the bullet points in a circle. Interesting, varied arrangements attract the audience's attention and prevent monotonous slide design.
3. Let icons do the talking
Icons are a great way to make complex content easier to understand. When designing a presentation, you sometimes can't find a suitable photo that accurately depicts or visually supports the topic. In this case, icons come to the rescue, expressing concepts with graphic simplicity.
They can also be ideally placed next to bullet points or even replace them. Just make sure they match the overall style and design of your presentation.
4. Use charts and diagrams sparingly.
However unpopular charts may be, sometimes there is no better alternative for visually representing data. When designing the chart—whether with PowerPoint, Excel, or another program—you should ensure consistency and use the colors from your established color palette. Ideally, the chart in your presentation should not go into too much detail; a more comprehensive version with all the data could, for example, be printed in the handout.
5. Vary the orientation
Don't position all your text, images, and other design elements perfectly centered on every slide. Avoid absolute uniformity and monotony by varying the alignment of the elements. For example, you could pose a question on one slide and place it in the top corner, and then present the answer in the bottom corner on the next slide.
6. Express hierarchies
Each slide has a word or image that is particularly important and best represents or summarizes the corresponding content. Once you have identified your most important (text/graphic) element, you can highlight it using design techniques. For example, you can express a hierarchy by making your most important term stand out from the other words through a different color and size.
7. Increase the contrast
Besides simplicity, contrast is an important factor for good presentation design. High-contrast shapes and colors can be used to make your slides more interesting. Experiment with different hues and brightness levels and see how you can best "spice up" your presentation.
8. If nothing else works, get help from professionals.
There's no reason to be ashamed: If your presentation design just isn't turning out the way you envisioned it, and you've already given it your all, then turn to professional designers. The PresentationLoad team will save you another sleepless night in front of your computer and, with their years of expertise, are the ideal partner for all your design challenges.
This brings us to the end of our 25 tips for an appealing presentation design, and we hope that they will help you overcome the biggest hurdles in slide design.
Don't miss out: In the coming weeks, our blog series on giving a successful presentation will begin. We'll explain, among other things, how to deal with nervousness before a presentation and how to make a good impression on stage.