You've created a fantastic, polished, and professional PowerPoint presentation? What's still missing to give it your personal touch? That's right, your company logo!
Logos serve to strengthen your brand. However, there are several things to consider regarding frequency of use and correct placement. Depending on its placement, the logo takes on a different meaning. This aspect is often overlooked. We'll show you how to position your logo correctly.
How to insert your PowerPoint logo into PowerPoint
You can insert your PowerPoint logo with these simple steps:
- On the "View" tab, click "Slide Master".
- Next, in the Slide Master view, select "Slide Master" in the thumbnail window in the upper left corner.
- In the Slide Master tab, select "Background Formats" from the ribbon.
- Then select "Format background".
- To retrieve your logo file on your PC and insert it into your PowerPoint presentation, select the "Picture or texture fill" option.
- You then have the option to click on " File" under " Insert image from" at the bottom and locate your desired image. Navigate to the desired image and then click on "Insert".
- The selected image now fills the background of the slide master in the thumbnail area and all layout masters below it.
- Want to create a watermark effect ? Then, in the "Format Background" menu, drag the transparency slider to the right to set the desired opacity percentage.
Alternatively, after step 2, you can also select your image by clicking on the first slide of your slide master, going to the "Insert" tab, and selecting "Pictures." Adjusting the image is somewhat easier here than using the background formatting option. You can see exactly how the steps work here .
Note that in both cases, the logo will now appear on every slide. If you only want to insert your logo on specific slides, please see the instructions below.
Is a PowerPoint logo necessary on every single slide?
It's common practice – especially in business presentations – to find the company logo on every slide. The idea seems to be, "The more often you see the logo, the higher the brand recognition!" But is this really a good thing?
If the same element is repeated within a very short time in presentations, it is quickly ignored by the brain . After a few slides, the information is no longer new and quickly appears irrelevant to the brain.
This applies to information, but also to your logo if you place it on every slide and in the same spot every time. So, stick to the motto "less is more." A logo on every slide quickly looks irrelevant and like advertising, instead of conveying that the presentation belongs to your company.
Furthermore, it's well known that elements on slides can quickly distract from the content . Therefore, use your logo sparingly. If you're giving the presentation, you'll introduce yourself and your company right at the beginning anyway, making it clear who you are. Remember: your goal is to convey the content and sell your product – your logo won't persuade a buyer to make a purchase; only the product presentation will.
Our tip: The traditional practice of placing logos on every slide is gradually decreasing . Include your logo at the beginning and end of your presentation. Avoid placing it on every slide . The only exception is for self-running presentations. In this case, you should include your logo on every slide so that a potential customer who joins the presentation midway through doesn't have to wait until the very end to see it.
Insert the PowerPoint logo only on individual slides.
So you want to place your logo only on specific slides ? Microsoft PowerPoint allows you to insert your logo on individual slides only. Follow these steps:
- On the "View" tab, click " Slide Master".
- In Slide Master view, select the slide layout(s) you want to add your logo to from the thumbnail pane on the left. (To select multiple layouts, hold down the SHIFT key while making your selection.)
- In the Slide Master tab, select "Background Styles".
- Then select "Format background".
- To select your logo, proceed as described in points 5 and 6 of the previous section “How to insert your PowerPoint logo into PowerPoint”.
- The selected image now fills the background of the slides you have already selected.
How to remove the PowerPoint logo from individual slides
You have added your logo to all slides using the slide master and now want to remove it from some slides ? Then follow these instructions:
- On the left side of the screen, click on the slides in the thumbnail view from which you want to remove the logo.
- Then select "Format background" from the context menu.
- In the "Fill" section, activate the "Hide background graphics" checkbox.
Where is the optimal place on the slide for your PowerPoint logo?
Did you know that the meaning of a PowerPoint logo changes depending on its placement? This is largely due to our eyesight.
Our vision is divided into two types: central and peripheral vision . In more detail, this means:
- The central viewing angle: Here, objects appear particularly sharp and detailed.
- The peripheral field of vision: Here, the remaining field of vision is viewed with less sharpness.
This means that the audience perceives the PowerPoint logo differently depending on where you place it. This perception can also vary depending on the culture.
A good example of this is our reading direction . In our culture, we read from left to right. This also intuitively applies to reading and viewing PowerPoint slides.
However, reading on websites is somewhat different. There, the first thing one looks at is the center of the upper third of the screen. Within our Western culture, we tend to expect to find the most important and current topics and information in this area.
The meaning of the PowerPoint logo in the top left corner of the slides
If you choose to place your PowerPoint logo in the upper left corner, it will display the following:
- The company has a strong dominance.
- Logo and company name are the focus of your presentation
The top left placement is particularly suitable for conveying high self-confidence and a strong ego, for example in brand building and brand branding. Its importance is primarily due to the reading direction in Western cultures. Positioned in the top left, the logo is the first thing noticed.
The meaning of the PowerPoint logo in the bottom left corner of the slide
Placing your logo in the bottom left corner of your slide conveys the following meanings:
- The logo is in the background.
- Slide content is more important
- Casual mention
This placement is particularly useful for subtle branding . Due to the Western reading direction from top to bottom, the logo is seen later than the content, which makes the content stand out.
The meaning of the PowerPoint logo in the upper right corner of the slides
Placing your logo in the top right corner signals similar aspects to placing it in the top left corner , but in a less pronounced form :
- The company has dominance
- Logo and company name are important within your presentation
As with placement in the top left corner, choosing the top right corner is particularly advantageous for companies with a dominant presence, strong ego, and self-confidence . Unlike in the top left corner, these aspects are slightly less pronounced here. This is due to the reading direction in Western cultures. A logo placed in the top right corner is perceived later .
The meaning of the PowerPoint logo in the bottom right corner of the slides
Similar to the distinction between left and top right, the same principle applies to left and bottom right . Choosing the bottom right placement further mitigates the aspects mentioned in the paragraph about bottom left placement.
- The logo is further in the background.
- The content of the slides is the focus and has the highest priority.
- Casual mention
This attenuation effect also occurs here due to our usual reading direction from left to right, as well as from top to bottom.
Conclusion: Place your logo thoughtfully and in the right place, appropriate for your company.
Your logo enhances your presentation and the impact of your company. However, you should use the logo judiciously and not overload every slide with it.
Consider what message you want to convey about your company through your logo . Keep in mind our tips and advice: If the primary goal is to establish your company's brand , then the top part of the slide is best. If the focus should be on the content and your logo only plays a minor role, choose the bottom part of the slide .
Do you have questions about logo placement or other questions related to PowerPoint? Then please contact us by email at becker@presentationload.de . We're happy to help!
You might also be interested in this article: