Tag: powerpoint background

The Perks of Having the Right PowerPoint Background

Powerpoint

powerpoint background

May 30, 2014

The ideal PowerPoint background is something that looks simple and clear. This helps your audience focus on key points on the slide rather than get distracted by an over-embellished deck. An effective background often utilizes design principles like white space to avoid drawing attention to itself and instead highlight the real objective of your presentation.

Ill-designed backgrounds are often those that have too much clutter on it. These present elements on the deck that aren’t necessary to your core message. While an occasional frame or color might actually boost he audience’s interest in your slides, reserve the design for the points that matter.

To help give you an idea, the right PowerPoint background has these two qualities:

1. Right Contrast

Your audience should be able to read your text clearly. This is why you should use colors that provide a nice contrast between the slide’s background and foreground. By using dark text against a lightly colored background, you would be able to enhance your presentation’s readability.

Just a word of caution: If you are presenting in a room that is not well lit, do the opposite of the advice above. Choose a dark background and make your texts light-colored.

It would help to run through a test of the presentation in the designated venue beforehand. Apart from gauging the venue’s lighting, you will also be able to also check the projector’s settings. If you fail to make the necessary adjustments, the impact of the colors may be diminished by the projector.

2. Consistent Look

Consistency is important as it tells the audience that they are still viewing the same presentation during your entire talk. Being consistent with the design of your slides, however, doesn’t have to limit your creativity. It is just that you are eliminating unnecessary details or distractions from the slides.

One cause of inconsistency is the use of multiple colored slides. A presentation with multiple colored slides would be an assault to anyone’s retina. According to Creative Content Expert‘s Tara Hornor, poor color choices are among the things that hamper a design. Make sure to limit the number of colors to just two or three. This way, your PowerPoint presentation would look more professional and a lot less ridiculous.

A corporate logo on each slide can also contribute to your slide’s consistency. If you don’t feel like adding a logo on every slide as it could look obtrusive, you may choose to place it on first and last slides instead.

Conclusion

Ultimately, as you work on your PowerPoint presentation, your choice of background is always an important consideration. It may seem like a minor detail but the right background can make a whole lot of difference between an impressive, professional-looking presentation and a mediocre one.

It may seem like a minor detail but the right background can make a whole lot of difference between an impressive, professional-looking presentation and an ill-designed one.

 

Reference

“10 Troublesome Colors to Avoid In Your Advertising.” Site Point. May 08, 2013. Accessed May 30, 2014.

Create a Captivating Presentation with Bright PowerPoint Backgrounds

bright background

powerpoint background

presentation

slide

May 23, 2014

Choosing the right background can make or break a PowerPoint presentation. A bright, vibrant background can energize your slides and capture your audience’s attention, but it needs to be used thoughtfully to avoid overwhelming your message. When done correctly, bright backgrounds add visual interest and create a positive, engaging atmosphere that keeps viewers focused on your content.

Here are some tips for creating a captivating presentation using bright PowerPoint backgrounds:

1. Choose a Complementary Color Palette

While bright backgrounds can make your presentation more lively, it’s essential to select a color palette that works well together. Too many clashing colors can make your slides look chaotic, while a harmonious color scheme creates a cohesive and professional look.

How to Choose a Color Palette:

  • Use a Limited Palette: Stick to 2–3 bright colors that complement each other. You can use tools like Adobe Color or Coolors to create color combinations that work well together.
  • Pair Bright Colors with Neutrals: To avoid overwhelming the audience, balance bright colors with neutral tones (white, black, or gray). This allows the bright elements to stand out without overpowering the slide.
  • Brand Colors: If you’re creating a presentation for your company, try incorporating your brand’s color palette into the background for a cohesive look.

Example: For a tech startup presentation, you could use a bright blue background with white text and accents of yellow for contrast.

2. Use Gradient Backgrounds for Depth

A gradient background is a subtle yet powerful way to add depth and dimension to your slides. Instead of using a flat, solid color, a gradient shifts gradually from one color to another, creating a more dynamic and visually interesting backdrop.

How to Create a Gradient Background:

  1. Right-click on the Slide Background: Choose Format Background from the dropdown menu.
  2. Select “Gradient Fill”: In the Format Background pane, choose Gradient Fill.
  3. Choose Your Colors: Select two or more colors that will transition smoothly into each other. For bright presentations, consider vibrant colors like orange fading into yellow or pink fading into purple.
  4. Adjust the Gradient Stops: You can customize the direction, angle, and smoothness of the gradient for your desired effect.

Example: For a creative industry presentation, a bright pink-to-purple gradient can create a visually appealing and energetic background that adds excitement to the slides.

3. Use Bright Backgrounds Sparingly

While bright backgrounds can be attention-grabbing, it’s important to use them strategically. Too many bright slides can fatigue the eyes, making it harder for your audience to focus on the content. Instead, alternate between bright and neutral backgrounds to keep the presentation balanced.

How to Use Bright Backgrounds Effectively:

  • Reserve Bright Colors for Key Slides: Use bright backgrounds for important slides, such as title slides, section dividers, or key points, to draw attention to them.
  • Mix with White Space: Pair bright backgrounds with slides that have more white or neutral space. This contrast gives the eyes a break and helps maintain focus.
  • Use Bright Colors as Accents: Instead of making every slide background bright, use bright colors in key design elements (such as shapes or icons) to add vibrancy without overwhelming the entire slide.

Example: For a marketing strategy presentation, use bright backgrounds for section headers, while keeping the body slides more neutral with bright accent colors for emphasis.

4. Choose the Right Fonts for Bright Backgrounds

When using bright backgrounds, it’s essential to choose fonts that are legible and provide sufficient contrast. The wrong font choice or insufficient contrast can make text difficult to read, undermining the effectiveness of your presentation.

How to Choose Fonts:

  • Use Bold Fonts: For bright backgrounds, opt for bold, sans-serif fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica. These fonts are clean, modern, and easy to read against vibrant colors.
  • Ensure Contrast: Always test your text color against the background to ensure there is enough contrast. White or black text typically works best on bright backgrounds.
  • Avoid Overly Thin Fonts: Thin or script fonts can be hard to read against bright backgrounds. Stick to simple, bold text that stands out clearly.

Example: For a slide with a bright yellow background, use bold black or dark gray text for maximum readability.

5. Incorporate Visuals with Bright Backgrounds

Bright backgrounds work well when paired with clean visuals. However, you need to ensure that your images or graphics don’t get lost or clash with the background.

How to Use Visuals with Bright Backgrounds:

  • Use High-Contrast Images: If you’re using a bright background, select images that stand out against the background colors. Ensure that the subject of the image is clear and doesn’t blend into the background.
  • Add Borders or Shadows: If your visuals don’t contrast enough with the bright background, add a white or black border or a subtle shadow to make them pop.
  • Match Visual Style to Background: If your background is playful and bright, choose visuals that match the tone, such as illustrations or icons with similar color schemes.

Example: For a slide with a bright blue background, use high-contrast visuals like white icons or images with vibrant colors that stand out clearly.

Final Thoughts

Bright backgrounds can bring energy and excitement to your PowerPoint presentations, but they need to be used strategically. By choosing complementary colors, incorporating gradients, balancing bright slides with neutral ones, and selecting the right fonts and visuals, you can create a captivating presentation that keeps your audience engaged. With the right approach, bright backgrounds will enhance your slides and help you deliver your message effectively.