5 QUICK Ways to Improve Your PowerPoint Design

Summary

This video offers essential tips for creating engaging PowerPoint slides that captivate audiences. It emphasizes visualizing data to avoid overwhelming the audience with text, utilizing white space to prevent clutter and enhance readability, and employing Microsoft 365's Design Ideas feature for instant aesthetic improvements. Additionally, it recommends using Scalable Vector Graphics (SVGs) for high-quality images that don't pixelate when resized and applying the rule of thirds for visually appealing slide layouts. The video also promotes Skillshare as a platform for learning graphic design and other skills, offering a two-month free premium access to the first 1000 subscribers through a special link.

Takeaways

• 📈 Visualize your data to make it engaging and prevent the audience from being distracted by trying to read too much information at once.
• 📐 Use white space effectively to avoid clutter, enhance readability, and focus attention on key points.
• 🎨 Apply design ideas from Microsoft 365's AI-powered feature to instantly improve the visual appeal of your slides.
• 🖼️ Utilize Scalable Vector Graphics (SVGs) for images in presentations to maintain quality when resizing and to keep file sizes smaller.
• 📏 Apply the rule of thirds to enhance the composition and visual appeal of your slides, placing key elements at intersections or along the dividing lines.
• 👀 Guide the audience's eyes to the most important topics on the slide to avoid distractions and ensure they focus on your message.
• 🌀 Keep the slide background clean and avoid placing company logos or other corporate identity elements on every slide.
• 📝 Use a font size that is large enough with generous spacing for text on slides to ensure it's easy to read and not overwhelming.
• 🔄 Design Ideas can automatically reformat uncropped pictures and suggest more visual alternatives to bullet points, improving slide design with minimal effort.
• 🌈 Customize the icons or colors in suggested designs to match your brand or personal preference, but be aware of limitations with certain shapes or colors in the background.
• 📚 Explore graphic design and other related classes on Skillshare to deepen your understanding of design principles and apply them to various areas such as logo design or brand identity.

Q & A

What is the main issue with many PowerPoint slides created today?

Many PowerPoint slides created today are not engaging the audience, are hard to read, and are often cluttered with information.

What is the purpose of visualizing data in PowerPoint slides?

Visualizing data helps the audience to quickly grasp the critical information from the slide and pay attention to the presenter's speech instead of getting bogged down by reading the slide.

Why is it important to use white space in slide design?

White space is crucial as it creates separation between content, focuses the viewer's eyes on the message, makes text easier to read, and provides a calming effect by allowing the viewer to 'breathe'.

What is the significance of not cluttering a slide with too much information?

Cluttering a slide with too much information can lead to an unattractive and difficult-to-read presentation, causing the audience to become frustrated and lose attention.

What is a recommended approach to dealing with text on slides when there is too much to fit comfortably?

If there is too much text to fit comfortably on a slide, it's an indication that there is too much text. The solution is to reduce the amount of text, ensuring that the slide communicates the main message clearly and concisely.

What is the 'Design Ideas' feature in Microsoft 365 and how does it help with slide design?

The 'Design Ideas' feature in Microsoft 365 is powered by AI and provides several design suggestions to improve the visual appeal of a slide. It can automatically organize images and convert bullet points into more visually engaging formats.

Why should Scalable Vector Graphics (SVGs) be preferred over raster images in presentations?

SVGs should be preferred because they can be resized from small to large without losing quality, making them ideal for presentations where images may need to be scaled up. They are also smaller in file size compared to raster images.

What is the 'rule of thirds' and how can it be applied to PowerPoint slides?

The 'rule of thirds' is a basic guideline in photography and design that divides the canvas into nine equal parts by two equally spaced horizontal lines and two equally spaced vertical lines. The key elements of a slide should be placed along these lines or at the points of intersection for a more balanced and visually appealing composition.

How can the 'rule of thirds' improve the visual appeal of a PowerPoint slide?

Applying the 'rule of thirds' helps in positioning the key elements of a slide in a way that creates a more balanced and engaging layout, which is generally more preferred by viewers.

What does Skillshare offer and how is it relevant to the video's content?

Skillshare is an online learning platform with a wide range of classes, including graphic design. It is relevant to the video's content as it provides resources for viewers interested in improving their design skills, with a special offer of two months of free premium access mentioned in the script.

What is the benefit of using the 'Graphic Design Basics' course by Ellen Lupton on Skillshare mentioned in the script?

The 'Graphic Design Basics' course by Ellen Lupton offers a concise understanding of the five basic design principles with many examples, which can be beneficial for viewers looking to enhance their design knowledge and skills.

Outlines

00:00

📊 Enhancing PowerPoint Slides with Data Visualization

The paragraph emphasizes the importance of engaging the audience with well-designed PowerPoint slides. It suggests that many slides fail to capture attention due to being hard to read and understand. The speaker introduces several tips for effective slide design, starting with the recommendation to visualize data to avoid overwhelming the audience with text. By guiding the audience's eyes to the most important information and minimizing distractions, the presenter can maintain engagement. The paragraph also includes a brief mention of Skillshare as a sponsor, offering a special link for two months of free premium access, and concludes with an introduction to the first design tip.

05:03

🎨 Designing Clutter-Free and Impactful Slides

This paragraph delves deeper into slide design principles, focusing on the effective use of white space to prevent visual overload and enhance readability. It contrasts cluttered slides with those that use white space to focus attention on key points. The speaker explains that white space can be any color or a blurred background, and emphasizes the calming effect it has on viewers. The paragraph also introduces 'Design Ideas,' a feature in Microsoft 365 that uses AI to suggest design improvements for slides. The feature can transform plain slides into visually appealing ones with the click of a button, and can also organize images and minimize the use of bullet points. The speaker encourages viewers to apply these tips for a greater impact on their presentations.

🖼️ Utilizing Scalable Vector Graphics for High-Quality Slides

The speaker discusses the advantages of using Scalable Vector Graphics (SVGs) over raster images like JPGs or PNGs in presentations. SVGs can be scaled up without pixelation because they are composed of mathematical lines and fills, not pixels. This makes them not only maintain quality at any size but also results in smaller file sizes. The paragraph explains how PowerPoint allows editing of SVGs, including changing fills and converting them into Office shapes for more detailed customization. The speaker advises choosing vector graphics over raster images for high-resolution scalability and smaller file sizes.

📐 Applying the Rule of Thirds for Visually Appealing Slides

The paragraph introduces the rule of thirds, a fundamental guideline in photography and cinematography, and its application to PowerPoint slide design. The rule divides the slide into nine equal parts with the key elements ideally placed along the lines or at their intersections. The speaker demonstrates how applying this rule can improve the visual appeal of a slide by comparing two versions of the same content. The paragraph also provides a practical tip on using PowerPoint's guides feature to apply the rule of thirds easily. The speaker concludes by summarizing the tips and encouraging viewers to explore graphic design further on Skillshare, mentioning a specific course and highlighting the platform's affordability and breadth of offerings.

Keywords

💡PowerPoint slides

PowerPoint slides refer to the individual frames or screens used in a presentation created with Microsoft PowerPoint. The script emphasizes the importance of designing well-engaging slides that capture the audience's attention, rather than simply presenting data which can be hard to read and understand. For instance, the script mentions that many slides created daily are not engaging and provides tips to improve their design.

💡Engaging

In the context of the video, 'engaging' pertains to the ability of the PowerPoint slides to attract and hold the audience's interest. The script points out that many slides fail to engage the audience, which is a critical aspect of effective presentation design. The use of visuals and white space is suggested as a way to make slides more engaging.

💡Visualize your data

This concept from the script refers to the practice of representing numerical data in a visual format such as charts or graphs. It is mentioned as a tip to make data presentation more accessible and less overwhelming for the audience. The script provides an example of how a slide with a lot of data can be transformed into a more digestible format with supporting charts.

💡White space

White space, in design terms, is the empty or uncluttered areas of a slide that helps to separate and focus on the content. The script explains that using white space effectively can make slides less cluttered, easier to read, and more aesthetically pleasing. It also mentions that white space doesn't necessarily have to be white but can be any solid color or background.

💡Design ideas

Design ideas is a feature in Microsoft 365 that uses AI to suggest design improvements for PowerPoint slides. The script demonstrates how this feature can instantly enhance the visual appeal of a slide by offering various layout and design options. It is positioned as a helpful tool for those who may lack design skills or are pressed for time.

💡Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG)

SVGs are a type of image format used in presentations that can be scaled to any size without losing quality. The script advises using SVGs over raster images like JPGs or PNGs when creating slides, as they maintain clarity upon resizing and often have a smaller file size. The script also shows how SVGs can be edited within PowerPoint.

💡Rule of thirds

The rule of thirds is a fundamental principle in visual composition that divides an image into nine equal parts by two equally spaced horizontal lines and two equally spaced vertical lines. The script explains that aligning key elements along these lines or at their intersections can make a slide more balanced and visually appealing. It is used in the script to improve the layout of a slide with an image and text.

💡Raster images

Raster images, such as JPGs or PNGs, are composed of pixels and can become pixelated when enlarged, as opposed to SVGs. The script cautions against using raster images in slides that may need to be scaled up, as this can lead to a loss of image quality.

💡Skillshare

Skillshare is mentioned in the script as a learning platform that offers various classes, including those on graphic design. The script includes a promotional offer for two months of free premium access to Skillshare for viewers, highlighting its value for those interested in improving their design skills.

💡Graphic Design Basics

Graphic Design Basics is a specific course on Skillshare, recommended in the script by the presenter. The course is said to provide a concise understanding of the core principles of visual design, with many examples, and is taught by Ellen Lupton. It is used as an example of the type of content available on Skillshare.

💡Premium membership

Premium membership on Skillshare is highlighted in the script as a subscription service that grants unlimited access to all classes on the platform. The script mentions an exclusive offer for the first 1000 subscribers who use the provided link, offering them a two-month free trial of this membership.

Highlights

Creating well-designed PowerPoint slides is crucial for audience engagement, yet many slides fail to capture attention due to being hard to read and understand.

Skillshare is a learning platform offering a variety of classes, with a special two-month free premium access link provided in the video description.

Visualizing data effectively on slides prevents the audience from being distracted by trying to read and interpret the data themselves.

Using white space in slide design avoids clutter and helps focus the audience's attention on key points.

White space can be any solid color or blurred background, not just white, and is essential for clarity and calmness in presentation design.

Apple's design approach exemplifies the effective use of white space to create a sense of luxury and focus on the product.

Design Ideas, a feature in Microsoft 365, uses AI to instantly improve the visual appeal of PowerPoint slides.

Scalable Vector Graphics (SVGs) should be used in presentations for their scalability without pixelation and smaller file size compared to raster images.

The rule of thirds is a basic guideline in design that can enhance the visual appeal of PowerPoint slides by positioning key elements strategically.

PowerPoint guides can be used to apply the rule of thirds easily, improving slide composition.

Skillshare offers a wide range of classes on graphic design and other topics, with an annual subscription being an affordable way to learn new skills.

The Graphic Design Basics course by Ellen Lupton on Skillshare is recommended for understanding the core principles of visual design.

Skillshare's online learning community provides access to thousands of classes on various topics including freelancing, entrepreneurship, and technical skills.

A special link in the video description offers a two-month free trial of Skillshare's premium membership for the first 1000 subscribers.

The video encourages viewers to subscribe to the channel for more content on improving skills and engaging with the presented material.

The video concludes with an upbeat music note, signaling the end of the presentation and leaving a positive impression on the audience.

Transcripts

A lot of work goes into creating,

well-designed PowerPoint slides.

Unfortunately, many of the millions of slides

that are created every day

aren't engaging the audience at all.

In fact, many are hard to read and understand.

But there are a few really important

and easy to implement tips that can really make a difference

in your slide design.

Let's check them out.

(upbeat music)

(icon pops)

Before we get started, a brief thanks to Skillshare

for sponsoring today's video.

Skillshare is a learning platform

with lots of great classes.

I have a special link for you that gives you two months,

free premium access.

You're going to find it in the description of this video,

and I'll be chatting more about them towards the end.

Now let's get started with my slide design tips.

Number one, visualize your data.

Presenting numbers and data can be a challenge.

For one, it's probably not the most exciting topic.

And second, if you put a lot of data on your slide,

the audience is going to be busy reading the slide

instead of paying attention to you.

Here's an example, a slide like this,

encourages the audience to read and try to make sense

of the data.

Their attention is going to be on the slide,

not on what you're saying.

Instead, you could present it like this.

Already from the title of the slide

the audience can get the critical information.

The supporting charts makes it easier

to interpret the slide.

The important thing here is that you guide the eyes

to the most important topics and avoid distractions

on the slide.

Which brings me to my next tip.

Number two, use white space and don't clutter.

White or negative space refers to the empty space

in between your content on the slide.

Sometimes we feel the urge to make use of

every little space available to us on the slide.

We plaster it with information and visual elements,

but more, isn't necessarily always better.

If you throw too much on the screen,

you get a cluttered page that's unattractive

and difficult to read.

People get frustrated when information bombards them,

you're going to lose their attention.

So don't do that.

White space is also important

because it creates separation between the objects

on your slide and it focuses the eyes and the message

you want to get across.

It also makes text easier to read.

And also for the viewer it's calming letting them breathe.

And don't get me wrong,

white space doesn't have to be white.

White space can also be any solid color

or even a blurred background.

It just means that there is no other content

or design element.

Apple, is a master when it comes to applying this concept.

It creates the feeling of luxury

and puts the product in focus.

So when designing PowerPoint slides,

don't create slides like this,

which results in visual overload,

the viewers eyes will be all over the place.

Instead, remember a few key rules.

Keep the slide background clean.

Company logos and other corporate identity elements

don't have to be on every single slide.

White space principles also apply to your text on the slide.

Use a font size that's big enough with generous spacing.

If you can't fit all your texts this way,

it's probably too much text.

So it comes down to less is more.

Give the elements on your slide, some breathing room.

This way the eyes land straight on the main message

and the slide is going to have a greater impact.

Number three, apply instant design ideas.

Design ideas is a new feature in Microsoft 365,

that's powered by Microsoft's AI or intelligence services.

You can find it on the Home tab,

which as we know is the prime real estate

in any Office product.

So what does it do?

Let's say we have this rather uninspiring slide

about some timeline.

And we want to make it more visually appealing.

If you click on Design Ideas up here,

it will make several suggestions.

Like this one.

Or this one is nice too.

And immediately by just clicking a button,

you have a much improved version of the slide.

Or, if you work with images in your slides,

design ideas can convert these uncropped pictures,

into a neatly organized slide automatically for you.

Like this one.

It also doesn't seem to like bullet points that much.

So if it sees a slide like this,

it will suggest a more visual version of the slide.

You can exchange the icons or colors as you like,

but if the shape or color is a part of the slide background,

you can't adjust it.

If you have poor design skills like me,

or if you're just in a hurry,

then design ideas can definitely give you a good start.

Number four, use Scalable Vector Graphics.

The next tip is about the images in your presentations.

When you use raster images like JPGs or PNGs in your slides,

be careful when resizing them.

Take a look at this Excel logo here,

it looks fine in the current size.

I can scale it down without problems,

but when I scale it up, it's going to become pixelated.

Scaling down is okay, scaling up is not.

Not if you have these images.

But, if you use SVGs,

which is short for Scalable Vector Graphics,

you can scale up without pixelation.

SVGs can be resized from small to large

without losing quality because they consist of

mathematical lines and fills instead of pixels.

They are also much smaller in size.

For example, the icons option in the insert tab are SVGs

and recent versions of PowerPoint

allows you to edit these graphics.

You can use the eyedropper tool to change the fill,

or you can even disassemble the SVG image by converting it

to an Office shape.

This way you can change the fill of individual parts

of the image.

So whenever you can, choose vector graphics

over raster images.

You can scale them up without loss of resolution

and they are smaller in size as well.

Number five, apply the rule of thirds.

In photography and cinematography,

there is a basic guideline about how a shot

should be composed.

It's called the rule of thirds.

This also applies to PowerPoint slides.

Let me show you how.

Here, we have a slide with an image and some text.

Let's see how we can improve it.

The rule of thirds basically divides the canvas

into three horizontal rows and three vertical columns.

The lines intersect at these four points.

Guess what these are called?

PowerPoints.

What are the odds?

The rule says that the key elements of this slide

should be pleased to run these PowerPoints

or along the lines.

So let's position the image like this with the head

on this PowerPoint and the texts boxes

along the horizontal lines like this.

Let's compare them side by side.

What do you think?

Most people will prefer to second version,

it's just more visually appealing.

An easy way to apply the rule of thirds in PowerPoint,

is by using the guides.

Just go to the View tab and check the box next to guides.

You can add an additional horizontal and vertical guide

to create the grid.

Give the rule of thirds a try and check it out for yourself.

So these are my tips

when it comes to PowerPoint slide design.

I hope you found them helpful.

If you're interested in design in general,

and you'd like to explore other areas

such as logo design, or brand identity,

or just the core principles of visual design,

check out the graphic design classes on Skillshare.

I personally enjoy the Graphic Design Basics course

by Ellen Lupton.

It's short and concise, and you get a good understanding

together with many examples of the five basic

design principles.

Aside from this class, you're going to find classes

on many other topics in Skillshare,

which in case you're not familiar

is an online learning community

with thousands of great classes.

Topics range from freelancing, entrepreneurship,

technical skills like Office skills and a lot more.

Joining Skillshare is also really affordable.

An annual subscription is less than $10 a month

and premium membership gives you unlimited access

so you can learn more about any topic that interests you.

And because Skillshare is sponsoring this video,

I have a special link for you in the description.

The first 1000 of my subscribers to click the link

are going to get a two month free trial of premium membership

so you can explore new skills or improve existing ones.

If you like this video, please give it a thumbs up.

And if you want to improve your skills,

consider subscribing to this channel.

Thank you for watching and I'll see you in the next video

(upbeat music)