Yes, you can create your own graphics and icons for PowerPoint! Not all graphics can, or should, be photos, charts, or diagrams. Sometimes you want to represent a concept and need a more symbolic or iconic look. This 2-part series will explore 2 ways you can get result you need.
Sometimes, simple shapes are enough. This slide’s graphic is just a circle with some 3D formatting.

You can also use the Custom Shapes feature to make more complex graphics. You can find a link to all four tips on this topic here.
Line art — which includes standard clip art — can provide you with any graphic you need. There are 2 ways to get line art into PowerPoint (aside from using PowerPoint’s drawing tools and shapes):
- Insert line art (in this case, clip art) and modify it
- Turn vector images from other programs into PowerPoint graphics
I cover the first method here.
Clip art — is it all bad?
Most clip art is bad. It doesn’t have to be, but it is. Clip art like this, from Microsoft’s Clip Art gallery, gives clip art a bad name. I just inserted several options that came up with a search on “steps,” but they are all corny, unclear, and unprofessional looking.
Read more! →
Ellen Finkelstein can train you or the presenters in your organization to create high-impact, engaging, professional presentations for training, sales, business, or education. For more information, please
click here.