Planning
  • PowerPoint is a wonderful tool...when used appropriately. It is not a replacement for a good speaker. If used correctly, it can turn a good speaker into a better one.
  • Know your audience. A presentation for adults should have a different look and feel than one created for small children.
  • Is there a set time frame for your presentation? Adjust your information and number of slides accordingly.
Basic Design Tips
  • Use short phrases or bullets to convey your ideas.
  • Give the audience a snippet of information on the screen and more information verbally.
  • If the audience can read all the information, why do they need to listen to you?
  • Too many vibrant colors can be overwhelming. Too little color is boring. Strike a balance to achieve an attractive presentation.
  • Use animations wisely. Lots of animations can be distracting. No animations might encourage a quick nap. Keep that in mind when creating your presentation.
  • Use a font size that allows those in the back of the room to read the screen easily.
  • Keep each screen simple and easy-to-read.
  • Be sure to "test" your presentation using the computer/projector in the room that you will use for the presentation.