PowerPoint Theme

What is a theme?

• The background• The type font, colour, size,

placement (titles and other)• Animation (if any)• Any other stylistic choice that runs through the file (e.g. slide numbering)

What themes are there?

• Built-in choices (in Design tab)• Downloadable files made by

Microsoft and fellow users (e.g. on Microsoft Office website)• Your own!

Why make a theme?

• Customize for your presentation• Show your creativity• Share with others• Practice graphic design

Some simple guidelines

1. Match design to purpose2. Keep it simple3. Be consistent

http://desktoppub.about.com/od/microsoft/bb/powerpointrules.htm

Match design to purpose

• Whether to inform, entertain, or something else, make the tone and appearance match

E.g. To persuade people to recycle more (a serious issue),use more formal colours, fonts,and images than in a presentationto make people laugh

Keep it simple

• Limit to two fonts• Choose a colour scheme of only a

few colours or a range within the same family of colours• One image/graphic per slide is enough

Be consistent

• Keep the fonts the same throughout• Use the same font sizes for all

headings, all lists, etc.• Align titles and other text boxes (e.g. will everything be aligned

to the left, centre, or right? Top, middle, or bottom?)

• Use similar graphics (e.g. all cartoons or all photos)

ExampleFrom

http://presentationzen.blogs.com/presentationzen/2005/09/whats_good_powe.html

Above (left) is the original slide. The clip-art used does not reinforce the statistic, nor does it fit the theme of women in the Japanese labour market. The background is an overused template. The text is difficult to read. And it's ugly.Above (right), the large text at the top can be easily seen. The text reads more like a headline, rather than just a title or category.

And keep in mind…

• How will colour blind people perceive it?

• Can everyone read the font? Change size and style for clarity

• What mood does the theme set?

And also consider…

• How will it project? LCD projectors generally have less contrast and darker colours than seen on screen

• Is anything important close to the edge? It could be lost!

How to design a theme

1. ViewSlide Master2. Make changes to the top slide3. To see how it looks, go to

ViewNormal

Assignment: Step 1

Design a PowerPoint theme. You must start from scratch. Use your own images or images that are guaranteed to be copyright-free.

Use the program’s Help area for step-by-step directions, if needed.

Assignment: Step 2

Make a presentation of at least three slides with your theme. On each slide, discuss one element of your design, including:

Its name (e.g. Colour)Why you used itHow you made itThe effect it hasYour evaluation of its effectiveness

Assignment: Step 3

Upload your file to the wiki page “Design” before class starts on Friday.

During class, you will be presenting your theme. Be prepared to answer questions!