1. VISUAL DESIGN TIPS FOR POWERPOINT By: Diane Western October 2012

2. DESIGN TIPS: SPLITTING SLIDES 3. DESIGN TIPS: SPLITTING SLIDES Consider splitting the action or idea of a concept into separate slides Cues that signal a potential slide split: o The slide contains more than one concept, idea, or action o The slide is cluttered o You code the exit effect for the disappearance of a line of text o You code the entrance effect for the introduction of a new line of text or element 4. DESIGN AND VISUAL TIPS Balancing form and function | white space speaks | less is more 5. DESIGN Make sure that the readers eye easily flows down the page o Is the focal point emphasizing the crucial point? Minimalist design is most effective o Less is more o The white space speaks as much as the content! Avoid clutter o Split slides as needed Chunk information into logical chunks Avoid excessive use of shadows 6. LESS IS MORE No. 4 of the Top 10 Biggest Mistakes in Web Design was: Using elements that get in the way Why are you using design techniques that keep the visitor from getting to the sale? 7. TEXT Center titles. Always avoid centering informational text. Its difficult for the eye to follow more than one line of centered text. If there are more than two lines of text, best to use flush left text placement. 8. TEXT PLACEMENT Non-Titles: Flush left is best 9. SHADOWS Shadows can distract from content message Avoid excessive use of shadows Especially if the image has an embedded shadow Exception: If using the image as a button or trigger Avoid shadows with an image embedded on a white background Can be difficult to read Be selective with text and shadows Shadow difficult to read No Shadow 10. SHADOWS BE SELECTIVE Avoid shadows on white background Preferred: An image with an embedded shadow 11. PLACEMENT OF ELEMENTS The boxes would be more readable if left flush The staggered boxes are confusing to the eye The focal point of the slide is lost 12. SCALE Scale objects for a minimalist look Reduce image scale or consider splitting a slide into two, with one graphic on each slide 13. SHADOWS Preferred: Image with embedded shadow Avoid shadows on white background Embedded shadow only Additional shadow distracts the eye 14. Color 15. COLOR Limit color scheme to 2 or 3 colors Be conservative with color Review guidelines for red Ask a colleague for a color review Visit websites with good color tips 16. THREE-COLOR PALETTE A three-Color palette is easy on the eyes The wrong color palette can be a big barrier to design. Choose a palette that doesnt assault the senses. 3rd color: If bright, use for accents 17. RULE OF THREE Of the three, one should be the background color (usually the lightest of the three), and the other two should break up the sections. If picking a color palette is difficult for you, use the rule of three: Choose three primary colors. This will keep the palette cohesive and calming, rather than jarring. If you need to add other colors, use shades of the three main colors. 18. THE COLOR WHEEL Complementary uses colors located opposite each other on the color wheel like red and green, yellow and purple, orange and blue. Opposites really attract. 19. THE COLOR WHEEL Two colors opposite of each other on the Color Wheel are harmonious. Any three colors equally spaced around the Color Wheel forming a triangle are harmonious. Any four colors forming a rectangle, each opposite of each other on the Color Wheel are harmonious. 20. RED Avoid red when possible Several types of color blindness are related to red 21. http://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/systems/eye/colorblindness2.htm 22. RECAP 23. EVALUATE Evaluate the use of animated elements Question whether the design enhances learning o Reduce unnecessary effects and movement of elements that dont add value Deliver minimalistic designs that are graphically pleasing Graphics Use 3-Color Theme Choose color using guidelines Be judicious with shadows and graphic elements Avoid red or use judiciously Chunk content Follow text guidelines 24. RECAP: COLOR & DESIGN Three colors (or two) are best Use harmonious aspects of the color wheel o Use red judiciously Minimalistic design is most effective o Less is More Split slides to avoid clutter Chunk information Use white space Avoid excessive use of shadows (especially on white backgrounds)