"Hey! I've got a quick question for you," John's voice crackled through my phone speaker. As the founder of a rapidly growing fintech startup, John had been our client for years, relying on our agency for his high-stakes pitch decks and sales presentations.
"What's up, John?" I replied, curious about what he needed.
"Look, I love the work you guys do for our major decks, but I've got a ton of internal presentations and quick client meetings where I need to whip up something decent-looking fast. Got any cheat sheet tips for everyday PowerPoint use?"
I realised this was a common pain point for many of our clients. "You know what, John? That's a great question. I'll put together a presentation design cheat sheet for you. In fact, I bet a lot of people could use something like this. Mind if I turn it into a blog post?"
"Go for it!" John laughed. "I'm sure I'm not the only one who needs a crash course in quick, professional-looking slides."
And that's how this article came into existence. Whether you're a startup founder like John, a busy executive, or anyone who needs to create presentations on the fly, this presentation design cheat sheet will be your go-to guide for creating polished, impactful slides in no time.
In case you didn't know, we're a presentation design agency. Feel free to explore our case studies here & schedule a consultation here.
Presentation Design Cheat Sheet [Quick & Easy]
1. The Power of Templates
One of the quickest ways to elevate your presentation design is to start with a well-designed template. Many people overlook this step, but it's a game-changer for consistent, professional-looking slides.
Key tips:
- Choose a template that aligns with your brand colors and style
- Stick to 2-3 slide layouts for consistency
- Customize the template with your logo and brand elements
Example: Let's say your company's primary colors are blue and white. Look for templates with a clean, modern design that incorporates these colors. Modify the master slides to include your logo in the corner and adjust fonts to match your brand guidelines.
2. Color Psychology in Presentations
Colors can significantly impact how your audience perceives your message. Understanding basic color psychology can help you make smart design choices quickly.
Quick color guide:
- Blue: Trust, stability, professionalism
- Green: Growth, health, environmental themes
- Red: Energy, urgency, passion (use sparingly)
- Orange: Creativity, enthusiasm, affordability
- Purple: Luxury, wisdom, creativity
- Yellow: Optimism, clarity, caution
Example: For a financial presentation, consider using shades of blue to convey trust and professionalism. If you're presenting growth metrics, incorporate touches of green to reinforce the positive trend.
3. Font Fundamentals
Typography can make or break your presentation design. Here's a quick cheat sheet for fonts:
- Stick to 2-3 fonts maximum
- Use sans-serif fonts for headlines (e.g., Arial, Helvetica)
- Choose serif fonts for body text if you want a more traditional look
- Maintain a hierarchy: larger font for headlines, smaller for subheads and body text
Example: Pair Arial Bold for headlines (size 32-40) with Garamond for body text (size 18-24). This combination provides a clean, readable look that works well for most business presentations.
4. The Rule of Thirds
This classic design principle can instantly improve your slide layouts. Imagine your slide divided into a 3x3 grid. Place key elements along these lines or at their intersections for a more balanced, visually appealing composition.
Example: Position your main image on the left two-thirds of the slide, with supporting text on the right third. This creates a pleasing balance and guides the viewer's eye naturally across the slide.
5. White Space is Your Friend
One of the most common mistakes in presentation design is overcrowding slides. Remember, white space (or negative space) is crucial for readability and focus.
Tips for using white space:
- Aim for 30-40% white space on each slide
- Use margins of at least 0.5 inches
- Group related elements together, leaving space between different concepts
Example: Instead of cramming 10 bullet points onto one slide, split them into two slides with 5 points each. This gives each point room to breathe and makes it easier for your audience to absorb the information.
6. The Power of Icons
Icons are a presentation designer's secret weapon. They can convey complex ideas quickly and add visual interest to your slides.
Icon best practices:
- Use a consistent style of icons throughout your presentation
- Align icons with your overall color scheme
- Pair icons with short, punchy text for maximum impact
Example: In a slide about your company's values, use simple icons to represent each value (e.g., a handshake for partnership, a lightbulb for innovation). This makes the concepts more memorable and breaks up text-heavy content.
7. Data Visualization Simplified
Charts and graphs are often necessary but can be overwhelming. Here's how to make them more digestible:
- Choose the right chart type for your data (e.g., bar charts for comparisons, line graphs for trends over time)
- Limit color use – highlight only the most important data points
- Use clear, concise labels
- Include a brief title that summarizes the key takeaway
Example: Instead of a complex multi-line graph showing five years of data for multiple products, create a simple bar chart comparing this year's performance to last year's for your top three products. This focuses the audience on the most relevant information.
8. The 5/5/5 Rule
When it comes to text-heavy slides, follow the 5/5/5 rule:
- No more than 5 bullet points per slide
- No more than 5 words per bullet point
- No more than 5 text-heavy slides in a row
This rule helps prevent information overload and keeps your audience engaged.
Example: Instead of listing 10 features of your new product, choose the top 5 and present them using the 5/5/5 rule. For instance:
- AI-powered insights
- Seamless mobile integration
- Real-time collaboration tools
- Enhanced security features
- 24/7 customer support
9. Image Selection Strategies
The right images can significantly enhance your presentation design. Here's a quick guide:
- Use high-quality, high-resolution images
- Opt for authentic, natural-looking photos over obvious stock images
- Ensure images relate directly to your content
- Apply a consistent filter or style to all images for a cohesive look
Example: If you're presenting about team collaboration, avoid generic photos of businesspeople shaking hands. Instead, use a candid shot of your actual team working together or a carefully chosen image that reflects your company's culture and diversity.
10. Animation and Transition Tips
While animations can add interest, they can also be distracting if overused. Here's how to use them effectively:
- Stick to simple transitions like fade or wipe
- Use consistent animations throughout the presentation
- Animate elements to support your narrative (e.g., revealing points as you discuss them)
- Avoid flashy or gimmicky animations
Example: When presenting quarterly results, use a simple fade-in animation to reveal each key metric as you discuss it. This focuses attention on each point without overwhelming the audience.
11. Storytelling Through Design
Remember, great presentation design supports your narrative. Use design elements to reinforce your story:
- Create a visual theme that aligns with your message
- Use color and imagery to evoke appropriate emotions
- Design slide transitions that mirror the flow of your story
Example: For a presentation about your company's journey, design your slides to visually represent different stages of growth. Start with a minimalist design for the early days, gradually adding complexity and polish as you describe your company's evolution.
Bringing It All Together
As I wrapped up my call with John, I could hear the excitement in his voice. "This is gold! I can't wait to put these tips into practice."
"I'm glad you find it helpful," I replied. "Remember, the key is to start with these basics and then iterate. Over time, you'll develop your own style and shortcuts."
"Absolutely," John agreed. "And for those make-or-break presentations, I know I can always count on your team."
So the next time you're staring at a blank PowerPoint slide, don't panic. Refer back to this cheat sheet, apply these principles, and watch as your presentations transform from mundane to memorable.
Work with us
If, like John, you’d like to work with our agency to enhance your presentations, please feel free to reach out. We’d love to assist you.
Ink Narrates, a presentation design agency
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