I see lots of presentation files and have started to notice that when people start designing slides, they go into a formal mode that makes the presentation less personal — and less effective. The negative impact is especially pronounced when the presentation is put online, because the audience doesn’t see the presenter (although there [...]
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In a previous post, “Create your own graphics and icons for PowerPoint: Part I–Using clip art,” I showed how you can ungroup line art in PowerPoint’s clip art gallery and then modify it. But sometimes, you can’t find clip art that meets your needs and you need to create the art from scratch. If [...] 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):
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. 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. I met Connie Malamed at the last Presentation Summit where she presented on the topic, “Your Brain on Graphics–Get your visuals on target and on message.” I was impressed with her understanding of the field of visual communication and interested in her recommendation of “primitive features,” images that are simple in terms of color, size, orientation, movement, shape and depth. Therefore, she recommended reducing the realism of graphics, because the brain can process them more quickly and efficiently than more complex realistic images. Connie is the author of Visual Language for Designers. The paperback edition will be available in August. (You can find the hardcover edition new on Barnes & Noble, used on Amazon, and on Amazon’s Kindle.) She also has a respected blog, the elearning coach, with tips and advice on instructional design for elearning. I recently interviewed Connie about her work. EllenFinkelstein.com: Can you briefly explain the research you synthesized and how it relates to presenting? Connie Malamed: My goal in writing Visual Language For Designers was to uncover principles of visual design that are based on how people perceive and understand graphics, rather than relying on intuition or likes and dislikes. Using design principles based on cognitive psychology can help presenters create slides that accurately communicate their message. It can help audiences focus on what is important and it can help presenters better connect with their audience. EllenFinkelstein.com: What would you say most people do incorrectly when creating slides for their presentations? 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. The first part of this post is here. Cliff Atkinson‘s keynote empowered us to be evangelists for better presentations: better results, a better story, better graphics (in that order). He gave suggestions for presentation professionals who need to convince presenters to improve their presentations: Improve the core template Provide before and after examples Educate [...] If you don’t know or have other graphics software, you can use PowerPoint — and many people do. It’s not high end, but if your needs are simple, the fact that you know and have it is a great plus. PowerPoint 2007 improved the graphics engine and you can add many more effects, such as soft edges, beveled edges, and soft shadows… [...] On the popular TV show, NCIS, scenes end with a still shot that starts in color and then becomes black & white. In a discussion on the LinkedIn group, Great Communicators! Effective Presenting & PowerPoint, this technique was suggested as a fun section transition for a presentation. Here’s how the technique looks:
[...] You can use PowerPoint as a graphics program — and many people do. It’s not high end, but if your needs are simple, the fact that you know and have it is a great plus. PowerPoint 2007 improved the graphics engine and you can add many more effects, such as soft edges, beveled edges, [...] Whether for work or play, quiz games are fun. Jeopardy-like games or just quizzes can teach and entertain at the same time. (Note that “Jeopardy” is a trademark of Sony Pictures, and shouldn’t be used without permission.) You can use exit animation and a trigger to create the quiz so that when you click [...] Glen Millar, of Glen Millar Communications, introduced this animation/graphics technique at the PowerPoint Live conference. He called it the False Background. It isn’t really a false background, but uses the technique of giving an AutoShape (shape, in 2007) the same background as the slide. You can then animate the AutoShape/shape, or layer it, [...] |
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You'll find free tips, techniques, articles, and tutorials here, all designed to help you succeed when you present. This blog gives you knowledge. I'm passionate about turning Death by PowerPoint into Life by PowerPoint. Discover books and courses to help you become an outstanding presenter. Find out more about training, consulting, webinars and coaching on presentation skills and PowerPoint. Don't see the information you need? Go to the list of over 250 tips, tutorials, techniques, & articles! "I just want to say your Blog is the BEST!!! It is a God-send to me!! I love it and it's my new favorite place to spend online =)" - Joleen Bateman
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