PowerPoint Layout and Design Tips
Components of an Effective Presentation
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Content of presentation
Design and layout
Delivery of presentation
Presentation Planning
Consider:
 Audience
 Purpose of presentation – instruct, inform, persuade, etc.
 Use – presentation, handout, lesson…
 Type of output – slides, handouts, notes, etc.
 Content (paraphrased)
 Appropriate media for impact (clip art, pictures, sounds, video)
 Storyboard the presentation
 Paraphrase the content, using phrases rather than sentences
Layout and Design
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Focus on content, rather than the glitz, bells and whistles. The design and layout should support the
message of the presentation.
Start with the text, then add graphics as needed to support the text.
Use a consistent “look and feel” throughout the presentation – for colors, backgrounds, titles, body
text font type and style, navigation.
Use sounds, animations, slide transitions and special effects sparingly and only when they support
and contribute to the message of the presentation. These can easily detract. Use them to convey
meaning such as a change in sections of the presentation.
Use a “balanced approach” when laying out text and images – avoid centering images and
overcrowding slides.
Place titles in upper 1/6 of slide or 1.5” from the top.
Use an appropriate graphic that illustrates the slide to focus attention.
Use no more than six bullet points on a slide.
Identify if the presentation is linear or if branching occurs at some points.
Using Technology in Career Exploration
Instructional Module 9.1 Teacher Notes
53
Oakland Schools
Revised September 2011
Backgrounds and Text Colors
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Avoid busy backgrounds.
Choose an appropriate slide color scheme. Colors convey tone and mood. For example, a green
palette is serene and professional; an orange palette is vibrant and unique.
Use a high contrast of background and text – use contrasting colors so the text is easily viewed.
Use light objects and text on a dark background or dark objects and text on a light background.
For example, use yellow titles and a white text body on a medium/dark blue background or use black
or dark blue text on light backgrounds.
Note: white reflects light so avoid a white background; you want the viewer to focus on the text.
Font and Text
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A sans serif font is recommended. Use sans serif to lend authority to your titles (technical, impersonal
character); it is easier to read from afar.
Use serif to “involve” reader with the body of your text (personal, humanistic character). It is more
appropriate on paper rather than on the screen.
Bigger type is easier to read but don’t clutter the screen so that it is difficult to read; leave “white
space” on the screen. Use at least 24 point font or larger.
Upper and lower case is always easier to read than all caps; some titles lend themselves to all caps.
Combine normal, bold, italic, bold italic within a single typeface.
More Design Tips for Effective Presentations
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PowerPoint Mistakes by Don McMillan (How Not to Use PowerPoint)
http://www.schooltube.com/embed/57496826cdd86a39f6f6
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PowerPoint Tips: 3 Components of an Effective Presentation
http://www.ellenfinkelstein.com/pptblog/3-components-of-an-effective-presentation/
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Using Presentation Software to Teach and Learn
http://72.3.232.111/pinetlibrary/classpage.php?page_id=2767
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PowerPoint Design Tips
http://www.readwritethink.org/lesson_images/lesson787/PPDesignTips.pdf
Additional Resources
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Scoring PowerPoints - http://www.fno.org/sept00/powerpoints.html
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Presentation Design Issues (listing of web-based resources containing tips about designing electronic
presentations) - http://72.3.232.111/pinetlibrary/classpage.php?page_id=2768
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PowerPoint Tips, Tutorials, and Techniques - http://www.ellenfinkelstein.com/powerpoint_tips.html
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Hierarchy and Contrast: The Basis of Good Design
http://www.presentation-pointers.com/showarticle/articleid/399/
Using Technology in Career Exploration
Instructional Module 9.1 Teacher Notes
54
Oakland Schools
Revised September 2011