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• The following 37 slides present guidelines and
suggestions for the use of fonts, colors, and graphics
when preparing PowerPoint presentations for
Sessions and Seminars.
• This media (PPT) is designed to ENHANCE your
presentation, not BE the presentation.
• Remember, only you can prevent
“Death by PowerPoint”
PowerPoint Presentation Guidelines
• Highlight key points or reinforce what the facilitator
is saying
• Should be short and to the point, include only key
words and phases for visual, reinforcement
• In order for your presentation to fit on most screens,
text and images should be placed within 95% of the
PowerPoint slide. This “action safe” area is seen in
the next slide.
PowerPoint Slide
powerpointguidelines.pptx
• Layout continuity from frame to frame conveys a
sense of completeness
• Headings, subheadings, and logos should show up in
the same spot on each frame
• Margins, fonts, font size, and colors should be
consistent with graphics located in the same general
position on each frame
• Lines, boxes, borders, and open space also should
be consistent throughout
PowerPoint Layout
Fonts
• Font Style Should be Readable
– Recommended fonts: Arial, Tahoma,
Veranda
• Standardize the Font Throughout
– This presentation is in Tahoma
Do !
•
• Content text should be no smaller than
Verdana 24 point
This font size is not recommended for content. Verdana 12 point.
Font Size
 The larger, the better. Remember, your slides must
be readable, even at the back of the room.
• This is a good title size
Verdana 40 point
• A good subtitle or bullet point size
Verdana 32 point
TIPS Presentation: 3/8/2004 Dawn Thomas, CRM
Don’t !
Font Size
• This is very difficult to read. Times Font, Bold, 12pt.
• This point could be lost. Century Gothic Font, Bold, Italic, 14pt.
• No one will be able to read this. Gill Sans Font, Condensed Bold, 12pt
Combining small font sizes with bold or italics is
not recommended:
 What does this say? Garamond Font, Italic, Bold 12pt.
Small fonts are okay for a footer, such as:
Fonts
• Don’t SacrificeReadability forStyle
• DON’T SACRIFICE READABILITY
FOR STYLE
• Don’t Sacrifice Readability for Style
• D O N ’ T S A C R I F I C E
R E A D A B I L I T Y F O R
S T Y L E
Don’t !
Caps and Italics
• DO NOT USE ALL CAPITAL LETTERS
– Makes text hard to read
– Conceals acronyms
– Denies their use for EMPHASIS
• Italics
– Used for “quotes”
– Used to highlight thoughts or ideas
– Used for book, journal, or magazine titles
Use a Template
• Use a set font and color scheme.
• Different styles are disconcerting
to the audience.
• You want the audience to focus on
what you present, not the way you
present.
Use the Same Background
on Each Slide
Do !!
 Don’t use multiple backgrounds in
your presentation
 Changing the style is distracting
Don’t!
Colors
• Reds and oranges are high-energy
but can be difficult to stay focused
on.
• Greens, blues, and browns are
mellower, but not as attention
grabbing.
• Reds and Greens can be difficult to
see for those who are color blind.
Avoid These Combinations
• Examples:
–Green on Blue
–Dark Yellow on Green
–Purple on Blue
–Orange on Green
–Red on Green
Don’t !
Colors
• White on dark background should not be
used if audience is more than 20 ft away.
– This set of slides is a good example.
– You can read the slides up close.
– The further away you get, the harder it is to
read.
– This is a good color combination if viewed on a
computer.
– A dark background on a computer screen
reduces glare.
Colors
• Large Hall Events
–Avoid White Backgrounds
–The white screen can be blinding
in a dark room
–Dark Slides with Light Colored
Text Work Best
Don’t
The Color Wheel
• Colors separated by another
color are contrasting colors
(complementary)
• Adjacent colors harmonize
with one another (Green
and Yellow)
• Colors directly opposite one
another are said to CLASH
• Clashing colors provide
readability
– Orange on Blue
Do !
This is a good mix of
colors. Readable!
Background Colors
Remember: Readability! Readability! Readability!
This is a bad mix of
colors. Low contrast.
Unreadable!
This is a good mix of
colors. Readable!
This is a bad mix of
colors. Avoid bright
colors on white.
Unreadable!
Graphs and Charts
Make sure the audience
can read them!
Avoid using graphics that are difficult to read. In this example, the bright
colors on a white background and the small font make the graph hard to
read. It would be very difficult to see, especially in the back of a room.
Don’t !
Graphics and Charts
This graph contains too much information in an
unreadable format.
Don’t !
Good Graph
These are examples of
good graphs, with nice
line widths and good
colors.
Do !
Charts and Graphs
20
10
0
30
40
50
80
70
60
North America Europe Austrailia
Mode A
Mode B
Mode C
Don’t
Charts and Graphs
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
North
America
Europe Australia
Mode A
Mode B
Mode C
Do !
This is a good, readable table. Tables, especially large ones,
should be placed on a separate slide.
4/19 Fri 109 NICMOS restarted, Ne-loop control
continues
4/22 Mon 112 Change to mountingDcuop!control
4/23 Tue 134 Return to Ne control, Filter wheel test
begins
4/24 Wed 155 Increase control temperature to allow
for +2 K variations
4/25 Thur 165 Begin darks every 3rd orbit
4/26 Fri 174 DQE test visit 1; Control temp +0.5 K
Illustrations
• Use only when needed, otherwise they
become distracters instead of communicators
• They should relate to the message and help
make a point
• Ask yourself if it makes the message clearer
• Simple diagrams are great communicators
Do !
Don’t !
Limit Each Slide to One Idea
• Use Bullet Points to Cover
Components of Each Idea
Bullets
• Keep each bullet to 1 line, 2 at the most
• Limit the number of bullets in a screen to 6, 4
if there is a large title, logo, picture, etc.
– This is known as “cueing”
– You want to “cue” the audience on what
you’re going to say
• Cues are a a brief “preview”
• Gives the audience a “framework” to build upon
Bullets (con.)
• If you crowd too much text, the audience
won’t read it
– Too much text looks busy and is hard to read
– Why read it, when you’re going to tell them
what it says?
– Our reading speed does not match our
listening speed; hence, they confuse instead
of reinforce
Points to Remem
Db
o e
no
r
t do this!
Limit Bullet Points
To a few words
• Limit each slide to 1 idea
• Limit each bullet point to only a few words to
avoid long sentences that go on and on!
• Limit animation – Too much animation can be
distracting. Be consistent with animation and
have all text and photos appear on the screen the
same way each time. There are many animation
modes to choose from, but it is best to use just
one throughout.
Points to Remember
• Keep bullet points brief
• Use the same background for
each slide
• Use dark slides with light colored
text in large hall events
Do !
Avoid the “All Word” Slide
Another thing to avoid is the use of a large
block paragraph to introduce your
information. Attendees do not like to
have what is on the screen, read to them
verbatim. So, please use short, bulleted
statements and avoid typing out your
whole presentation on to the slides. Also, it
is difficult for some to listen and read a
large amount of text at the same time.
Don’t
• To MAKe A sLide stAnd oUt,
cHAnge tHe font,
bAcKgroUnd, or Add
AniMAtion.
Limit Animation !
• Use the same animation throughout the
entire presentation
• Using more than one can be very
distracting
– The audience will only see the animation
and not the message you’re trying to get
across
Bam!
Don’t
Limit Animation!
• Use the same animation throughout the
entire presentation
• Using more than one can be very
distracting
– The audience will only see the animation
and not the message you’re trying to get
across
Do !
YOU
• Do not use the media to hide you
• The audience came to SEE you
• The media should ENHANCE the presentation,
not BE the presentation
• If you’re only going to read from the slides, then
just send them the slides!
• Remember, only you can prevent
“Death by PowerPoint”

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powerpointguidelines.pptx

  • 1. • The following 37 slides present guidelines and suggestions for the use of fonts, colors, and graphics when preparing PowerPoint presentations for Sessions and Seminars. • This media (PPT) is designed to ENHANCE your presentation, not BE the presentation. • Remember, only you can prevent “Death by PowerPoint” PowerPoint Presentation Guidelines
  • 2. • Highlight key points or reinforce what the facilitator is saying • Should be short and to the point, include only key words and phases for visual, reinforcement • In order for your presentation to fit on most screens, text and images should be placed within 95% of the PowerPoint slide. This “action safe” area is seen in the next slide. PowerPoint Slide
  • 4. • Layout continuity from frame to frame conveys a sense of completeness • Headings, subheadings, and logos should show up in the same spot on each frame • Margins, fonts, font size, and colors should be consistent with graphics located in the same general position on each frame • Lines, boxes, borders, and open space also should be consistent throughout PowerPoint Layout
  • 5. Fonts • Font Style Should be Readable – Recommended fonts: Arial, Tahoma, Veranda • Standardize the Font Throughout – This presentation is in Tahoma Do !
  • 6. • • Content text should be no smaller than Verdana 24 point This font size is not recommended for content. Verdana 12 point. Font Size  The larger, the better. Remember, your slides must be readable, even at the back of the room. • This is a good title size Verdana 40 point • A good subtitle or bullet point size Verdana 32 point
  • 7. TIPS Presentation: 3/8/2004 Dawn Thomas, CRM Don’t ! Font Size • This is very difficult to read. Times Font, Bold, 12pt. • This point could be lost. Century Gothic Font, Bold, Italic, 14pt. • No one will be able to read this. Gill Sans Font, Condensed Bold, 12pt Combining small font sizes with bold or italics is not recommended:  What does this say? Garamond Font, Italic, Bold 12pt. Small fonts are okay for a footer, such as:
  • 8. Fonts • Don’t SacrificeReadability forStyle • DON’T SACRIFICE READABILITY FOR STYLE • Don’t Sacrifice Readability for Style • D O N ’ T S A C R I F I C E R E A D A B I L I T Y F O R S T Y L E Don’t !
  • 9. Caps and Italics • DO NOT USE ALL CAPITAL LETTERS – Makes text hard to read – Conceals acronyms – Denies their use for EMPHASIS • Italics – Used for “quotes” – Used to highlight thoughts or ideas – Used for book, journal, or magazine titles
  • 10. Use a Template • Use a set font and color scheme. • Different styles are disconcerting to the audience. • You want the audience to focus on what you present, not the way you present.
  • 11. Use the Same Background on Each Slide Do !!
  • 12.  Don’t use multiple backgrounds in your presentation  Changing the style is distracting Don’t!
  • 13. Colors • Reds and oranges are high-energy but can be difficult to stay focused on. • Greens, blues, and browns are mellower, but not as attention grabbing. • Reds and Greens can be difficult to see for those who are color blind.
  • 14. Avoid These Combinations • Examples: –Green on Blue –Dark Yellow on Green –Purple on Blue –Orange on Green –Red on Green Don’t !
  • 15. Colors • White on dark background should not be used if audience is more than 20 ft away. – This set of slides is a good example. – You can read the slides up close. – The further away you get, the harder it is to read. – This is a good color combination if viewed on a computer. – A dark background on a computer screen reduces glare.
  • 16. Colors • Large Hall Events –Avoid White Backgrounds –The white screen can be blinding in a dark room –Dark Slides with Light Colored Text Work Best Don’t
  • 17. The Color Wheel • Colors separated by another color are contrasting colors (complementary) • Adjacent colors harmonize with one another (Green and Yellow) • Colors directly opposite one another are said to CLASH • Clashing colors provide readability – Orange on Blue Do !
  • 18. This is a good mix of colors. Readable! Background Colors Remember: Readability! Readability! Readability! This is a bad mix of colors. Low contrast. Unreadable! This is a good mix of colors. Readable! This is a bad mix of colors. Avoid bright colors on white. Unreadable!
  • 19. Graphs and Charts Make sure the audience can read them!
  • 20. Avoid using graphics that are difficult to read. In this example, the bright colors on a white background and the small font make the graph hard to read. It would be very difficult to see, especially in the back of a room. Don’t ! Graphics and Charts
  • 21. This graph contains too much information in an unreadable format. Don’t !
  • 22. Good Graph These are examples of good graphs, with nice line widths and good colors. Do !
  • 23. Charts and Graphs 20 10 0 30 40 50 80 70 60 North America Europe Austrailia Mode A Mode B Mode C Don’t
  • 25. This is a good, readable table. Tables, especially large ones, should be placed on a separate slide. 4/19 Fri 109 NICMOS restarted, Ne-loop control continues 4/22 Mon 112 Change to mountingDcuop!control 4/23 Tue 134 Return to Ne control, Filter wheel test begins 4/24 Wed 155 Increase control temperature to allow for +2 K variations 4/25 Thur 165 Begin darks every 3rd orbit 4/26 Fri 174 DQE test visit 1; Control temp +0.5 K
  • 26. Illustrations • Use only when needed, otherwise they become distracters instead of communicators • They should relate to the message and help make a point • Ask yourself if it makes the message clearer • Simple diagrams are great communicators Do !
  • 28. Limit Each Slide to One Idea • Use Bullet Points to Cover Components of Each Idea
  • 29. Bullets • Keep each bullet to 1 line, 2 at the most • Limit the number of bullets in a screen to 6, 4 if there is a large title, logo, picture, etc. – This is known as “cueing” – You want to “cue” the audience on what you’re going to say • Cues are a a brief “preview” • Gives the audience a “framework” to build upon
  • 30. Bullets (con.) • If you crowd too much text, the audience won’t read it – Too much text looks busy and is hard to read – Why read it, when you’re going to tell them what it says? – Our reading speed does not match our listening speed; hence, they confuse instead of reinforce
  • 31. Points to Remem Db o e no r t do this! Limit Bullet Points To a few words • Limit each slide to 1 idea • Limit each bullet point to only a few words to avoid long sentences that go on and on! • Limit animation – Too much animation can be distracting. Be consistent with animation and have all text and photos appear on the screen the same way each time. There are many animation modes to choose from, but it is best to use just one throughout.
  • 32. Points to Remember • Keep bullet points brief • Use the same background for each slide • Use dark slides with light colored text in large hall events Do !
  • 33. Avoid the “All Word” Slide Another thing to avoid is the use of a large block paragraph to introduce your information. Attendees do not like to have what is on the screen, read to them verbatim. So, please use short, bulleted statements and avoid typing out your whole presentation on to the slides. Also, it is difficult for some to listen and read a large amount of text at the same time. Don’t
  • 34. • To MAKe A sLide stAnd oUt, cHAnge tHe font, bAcKgroUnd, or Add AniMAtion.
  • 35. Limit Animation ! • Use the same animation throughout the entire presentation • Using more than one can be very distracting – The audience will only see the animation and not the message you’re trying to get across Bam! Don’t
  • 36. Limit Animation! • Use the same animation throughout the entire presentation • Using more than one can be very distracting – The audience will only see the animation and not the message you’re trying to get across Do !
  • 37. YOU • Do not use the media to hide you • The audience came to SEE you • The media should ENHANCE the presentation, not BE the presentation • If you’re only going to read from the slides, then just send them the slides! • Remember, only you can prevent “Death by PowerPoint”