The Art of PowerPoint presentation

First I must say that, despite the title of this article, PowerPoint is not clearly a form of art. This is a practical, easy-to-use presentation tool, which has gained tremendous popularity in recent years - to the point of becoming a standard practice, and unfortunately, almost to the point of contempt for the mass public.

If you do not want to alienate the audience, it's smart to remember that PowerPoint is not the presenter. You are the presenter. PowerPoint is the tool. While PowerPoint is not in itself a form of art is an art to present. And to that end, PowerPoint presentations can - and should - be attractive, both visually and verbally.

Too often people are just intent on filling the pages with information .... lots of it. Almost everything I have to say it in the PowerPoint document - heaven forbid something that is left out. This leaves very little room for personal anecdotes (which are not the meat, but the heart of every presentation) not to mention breath for all those other words - to say nothing of the public who require a visit to the eye doctor after presentation - not to mention space for a touch of artistic vision to keep viewers from dozing.

Assuming that the intention is for the presentation to be well received, it is important to do more than choose a template, jot down a text and add a little 'special effects. Believe it or not, given the creative limits of the program, there is an art form for creating an effective PowerPoint presentation, and can make a huge difference it is received.

Color, images and text can have a positive impact if used well and executed so that main points are clear and precise, and there is room for discussion and spontaneity.

Our three "before and after" samples show Saxton Studio Blog How overwork, complex slides can be streamlined and designed more attractive for clarity. Now, instead of being bombarded with data, the public can more easily grasp the overall message - and the speaker has a reference point from which it is based today.

For professional help with the look and content of the presentation, or the skills to present, there are professionals like me who make it their business to make you look good. If you prefer to give it a try yourself first, here are some tips to get the most mileage from the PowerPoint.

1. Cut it Out:

Get rid of extraneous text, graphics busy and focus on your core content. To eliminate the disorder. If in doubt, cut it out.

2. Minimalism, or less really is more:

Limit the amount of information on every page. Condensing sentences for as few words as possible. If you really, really, really feel that the public needs more information in writing, consider bringing along a special hand-out, printed ahead of time.

3. Distance Matters:

Knowing the size of the room and how the audience will be near or far from the screen. Adjust the text size accordingly.

4. Color blind?

Avoid strong colors bright, except for serious or minimize, the accent - and please do not put a background of pastel colors pastel or dark colors on a dark background. And I do not know if the room is light or dark. If it's dark, do not blind the public with strong white backgrounds.

5. Let an image tells the story:

Not only is this interest in the visual component, sometimes the pictures can make your point better than words. Of course, the image has to make sense or you have missed the point.

6. Maintain consistency:

Unless you're making a special point that screams for creativity at its best, keep the fonts and text size consistent throughout, and work within a color scheme.

7. Break it Up:

Add a picture humorous, using a few different colors, background images are moving from left to right and top to bottom, keep it fresh and avoid repetitions.

8. Do not Go Crazy with effects:

A little 'can go far. Much can leave the audience stunned. Do not let the special effects overshadow your message.

9. Remember those one-hour lessons at school?

Of course not, she was writing notes to your friend on the game after the lesson. Resist any temptation to simply read aloud PowerPoint bullets (assuming that the public can read). You are there to add value to what they can already be seen. So ...

10. Know Your Stuff:

Know your material and practice your presentation. Know and practice, practice and learn. If you do not know your stuff, that will be displayed.

11. Like it:

Would you like to be on the wrong side of your presentation? If you do not find interesting, the audience may well feel the same way. But if you feel good about it, it is likely that the public also.

12. Discussion:

Well of course you're talking about, but to avoid # 9, share ideas and experiences with your words.

There's an art to present, and there is an art to making PowerPoint more productive and dynamic. Just keep in mind that, while the screen PowerPoint is a great way to start your conversation, not the speech .......