As a marketing leader, you put great effort into creating meaningful content for your presentations. However, even the most insightful content can lose its impact if the presentation design fails to capture your audience's attention. If you’ve ever felt that your message isn’t landing despite the quality of your ideas, it might be time to rethink your slide design. Here are some tried-and-true tips for creating engaging presentation decks.
The heading is often the first thing your audience sees. Make it big, make it clear, and make it count! The heading should provide the slide’s primary message at a glance. A font size of 30pt for main titles and around 16pt for subtitles usually works well in larger rooms. Keep your headings concise and impactful so that even attendees at the back can follow along without straining.
Pro Tip: Consider using consistent fonts across all slides, and choose a font style that aligns with your brand. High-impact, legible fonts create a cohesive look and enhance readability, which is crucial for audience engagement.
It’s tempting to pack in all the details, but less is more when it comes to presentation text. Use a font size of around 14pt for body text to ensure readability, but don’t clutter your slides with excessive information. Your slides are meant to support your message, not deliver it entirely. Use bullet points or short statements to keep things simple, and remember that your voice can communicate complex ideas more effectively than paragraphs of text.
Pro Tip: French writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry said it best: “Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” Apply this mindset by distilling information to its essence.
Visual simplicity helps your audience focus on what matters. To avoid overwhelming viewers, split complex topics into multiple slides. Visualize the audience’s journey through the presentation—think of how each slide flows to the next and use simplicity to prevent cognitive overload. Presenting a clean, uncluttered design keeps your audience's attention on your message.
Pro Tip: Imagine yourself presenting each slide and ask if it feels natural to the flow of the discussion. If not, break it down further.
Adding visual elements, like colors, images, icons, and brand graphics, helps break up text and add interest. Images can emphasize your message and make abstract concepts more relatable, while colors and icons draw attention to key points. However, be selective and ensure visuals are relevant and professional.
Pro Tip: Choose a color scheme that aligns with your brand and stick to it throughout the presentation. This makes your deck look polished and cohesive.
Perfect alignment is a subtle but powerful tool. Misaligned text boxes, images, and icons can make a presentation look messy, even if the audience can’t pinpoint why. Follow consistent alignment practices to give the design a polished look. As Chris Do explains in his design philosophy, every element on your slide should feel intentional and connected to others.
Pro Tip: Use guides or grid layouts in your presentation software to maintain uniform spacing and alignment across slides.
Design is about more than just placing images and text on a slide; it’s about telling a cohesive story. Guide your audience through a journey with each slide, using visuals that support your narrative. To achieve this, consider using a recurring character or theme throughout the deck. For instance, stock photo websites often allow you to find photo series of the same person, which can help you create visual continuity.
Pro Tip: Plan out your slides with a beginning, middle, and end, just like a story. This structure keeps your audience engaged and helps reinforce your message as they follow along.
Why an Engaging Deck Matters
When you invest time in creating a well-designed, engaging presentation, you enhance your brand’s image and make your message more memorable. A compelling presentation deck isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about effective communication. With the right design, you can build credibility, keep your audience engaged, and leave a lasting impression that supports your objectives.
By following these steps, marketing leaders can make their presentations not only informative but also visually engaging, ensuring that their message lands with impact. Start implementing these tips in your next presentation and see the difference!
