This document provides visual design tips for PowerPoint presentations. It recommends splitting slides into multiple slides if they contain more than one concept or are cluttered. It emphasizes minimalist design with ample white space and limited use of shadows, graphics, and animation. Specific tips include using a three-color theme, left-justified text placement, and judiciously employing red or animated elements. The goal is to create visually pleasing, graphically simple designs that enhance learning.

1. VISUAL DESIGN
TIPS
FOR POWERPOINT
By: Diane Western
October 2012

2. DESIGN TIPS: SPLITTING SLIDES

3. DESIGN TIPS: SPLITTING SLIDES
• Consider splitting the action or idea of a concept into
separate slides
• Cues that signal a potential slide split:
o The slide contains more than one concept, idea, or action
o The slide is cluttered
o You code the exit effect for the disappearance of a line of text
o You code the entrance effect for the introduction of a new line
of text or element

4. DESIGN AND VISUAL TIPS
Balancing form and function | white space speaks | less is more

5. DESIGN
• Make sure that the reader’s eye
easily flows down the page
o Is the focal point emphasizing
the crucial point?
• Minimalist design is most
effective
o “Less is more”
o The “white space” speaks as
much as the content!
• Avoid clutter
o Split slides as needed
• Chunk information into logical
chunks
• Avoid excessive use of shadows

6. LESS IS MORE
No. 4 of the Top 10
Biggest Mistakes in
Web Design was:
“Using elements that
get in the way”
“…Why are you
using design
techniques that
keep the visitor from
getting to the sale?”

7. TEXT
Center titles.
Always avoid centering informational
text.
• It’s difficult for the eye to follow more than one
line of centered text.
If there are more than two lines of text,
best to use flush left text placement.

8. TEXT PLACEMENT
Non-Titles:
• Flush left is
best

9. SHADOWS
• Shadows can distract from
content message
Avoid
excessive
use of
shadows
• Especially if the image has
an embedded shadow
• Exception: If using the
image as a button or trigger
Avoid
shadows
with an
image
embedded
on a white
background
• Can be difficult to read
Be selective
with text
and
shadows
Shadow
difficult to
read
No
Shadow

10. SHADOWS – BE SELECTIVE
Avoid shadows
on white
background
• Preferred: An
image with an
embedded
shadow

11. PLACEMENT OF ELEMENTS
The boxes
would be more
readable if left
flush
The staggered
boxes are
confusing to
the eye
The focal point
of the slide is
lost

12. SCALE
Scale objects
for a minimalist
look
• Reduce image
scale or
consider splitting
a slide into two,
with one graphic
on each slide

13. SHADOWS
• Preferred:
Image
with
embedded
shadow
Avoid
shadows on
white
background
Embedded
shadow
only
Additional
shadow
distracts
the eye

14. Color

15. COLOR
Limit color scheme to 2 or 3 colors
Be conservative with color
Review guidelines for red
Ask a colleague for a color review
Visit websites with good color tips

16. THREE-COLOR PALETTE
A three-Color
palette is easy
on the eyes
The wrong color palette
can be a big barrier to
design.
• Choose a palette that
doesn’t assault the
senses.
• 3rd color: If bright, use
for accents

17. RULE OF THREE
• Of the three, one should
be the background color
(usually the lightest of the
three), and the other two
should break up the
sections.
If picking a
color palette
is difficult for
you, use the
rule of three:
Choose three
primary
colors.
• This will keep the palette
cohesive and calming,
rather than jarring.
If you need to
add other
colors, use
shades of the
three main
colors.

18. THE COLOR WHEEL
Complementary
uses colors located
opposite each other
on the color wheel
like red and green,
yellow and purple,
orange and blue.
Opposites really
attract.

19. THE COLOR WHEEL
Two colors opposite of
each other on the
Color Wheel are
harmonious.
Any three colors
equally spaced
around the Color
Wheel forming a
triangle are
harmonious.
Any four colors
forming a rectangle,
each opposite of each
other on the Color
Wheel are
harmonious.

20. RED
Avoid red when possible
Several types of color blindness are related to red

21. http://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/systems/eye/colorblindness2.htm

25. RECAP

26. EVALUATE
• Evaluate the use of animated
elements
• Question whether the design
enhances learning
o Reduce unnecessary effects and
movement of elements that don’t
add value
• Deliver minimalistic designs that
are graphically pleasing
 Graphics
• Use 3-Color Theme
• Choose color using
guidelines
• Be judicious with
shadows and graphic
elements
• Avoid red or use
judiciously
• Chunk content
• Follow text guidelines

27. RECAP: COLOR & DESIGN
• Three colors (or two) are best
• Use harmonious aspects of the
color wheel
o Use red judiciously
• Minimalistic design is most
effective
o Less is More
• Split slides to avoid clutter
• Chunk information
• Use white space
• Avoid excessive use of shadows
(especially on white backgrounds)