Sometimes, a simple design secret can dramatically improve your slides. A belly band is such a secret. Well, it really isn’t a secret to designers, because designers use them all the time (just look in any magazine), but non-designers don’t know about it.
A belly band is just a band of color that holds content together and sets it off from the rest of the slide. Often, it contains text. It might be a solid color or a gradient.
Here’s a simple slide.
Now see how it looks with a belly band.
Nicer, isn’t it? The belly band adds a professional touch.
Here’s how to create a belly band:
- Insert a rectangle. Size and place it as needed.
- Format the rectangle to remove the outline.
- Right-click and choose Send to Back or Order>Send to Back.
That’s all there is to it! If you want, use a gradient fill. Go to “Create multi-color gradients in PowerPoint” for instructions.
Thanks to Julie Terberg for teaching me this technique at the Presentation Summit conference, several years ago.
Hi Ellen,
Just tried your belly band tip; it worked and looks great too!
Thank you very much.
Years ago I read Presentations magazine cover to cover. It was an amazing publication for improving the design of my presentations. When they stoped the publication I didn’t know where to go to keep up-dated and continue to improve my skills. Recently I found your web site when I ordered an online book from you (101 Advanced PPTX). Your site is breathing new life into my designs. Thanks so much for taking the time to do this. I design presentations for litigation mediations and closing arguments during civil trials.
Alan,
Thanks for your kind comments–glad to help! I used to write for Presentations magazine and many people felt the loss, just as you did. I’m sure that your slides can be a powerful tool for the legal clients.