9 Steps To Create Effective PowerPoint Slides

A properly designed slide is legible, interesting, and easy to understand. It contains one main idea and uses PowerPoint to add emphasis to the spoken word. Use these steps to design effective slides.

1    Identify a single objective for each graphic

What do you want the slide to show?

2    Reveal new information slowly

Use animation to show new data one piece at a time.

3    Determine the type of image you need

What is the best image to convey your point? Pick what is ideal, not what you have. You can find a picture of just about anything. Create your own graphs and charts rather than using an image created for another purpose or in another program.

4    Design the general layout

Place objects so the eye can flow left-to-right and then from top to bottom.

5    Use color to highlight your slide

Limit the slide to two or three complimentary colors in addition to black and white. Use bold colors to focus attention to your main point.

6    Select a font that is easy to read and reflects your message

Select a sans serif font (i.e. Arial or Comic Sans) which is easy to read from a distance.

 7    Use animations and special effects sparingly

Keep the focus on your talk. Save bold movements to add special emphasis and interest.

8    Check for design flaws

Project the image on the wall. Stand in the back of the room and see if it is readable.

 9    See if it works

Show the slide to colleague – then turn it off. Ask what they remember.

Use your imagination. Experiment

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