Tag: PowerPoint shape

Jazz Up Your Sales Presentation With a Label Tag Created in PowerPoint

label tag

PowerPoint shape

sales presentation

May 15, 2014

Using images to represent ideas is one of the best ways to enhance PowerPoint presentations. A product label tag, for example, is great in designing your deck during a sales presentation. According to Entrepreneur, in such presentations, it’s essential to establish your identity and address your customers’ needs.

If ever you need a tag to back up your points and differentiate yourself from the competition, you can always search for custom images of these tags on the Internet and tweak them to your advantage.

Or better yet, create one that you can easily customize using the Shape functionality in PowerPoint. This tutorial will show you how to do it using the Shape and Text tools in PowerPoint 2010.

Drawing the Frame

First, assuming that your PowerPoint is already open, create a new, blank slide. Then, draw the label using the Rectangular shape with a rounded border. You can find this in the Insert tab under Shapes.

label tag

After this, select the Oval shape from the Shapes option to create a small circular shape. Put this near the top portion of the rectangle to serve as the label’s tag hole.

Filling with Color

Fill the circle with the same color as that of the slide background. Do this by right-clicking on the shape and selecting the Format Shape option. Click Fill and then select Slide background fill.

label tag2

To give the label some depth, you may want to fill it with gradient color. To do this, click Fill from the Format Shape option and select Gradient fill. Depending on your preference, you may adjust the Gradient type, direction, color, brightness, and other qualities.

label tag3

Final Details

To create the label’s string, select the curve line from the Shapes option. Draw a line from the small circle and then click twice until you reach the label’s border. You may manipulate the string to give it a more natural look. Simply click on it and drag any of the visible points accordingly.

label tag6

Lastly, you’ll have to group all the shapes in a single label. Select all the elements and then right click on the label. Next, click on Group (and the other Group option that will appear) and

Next, click on Group (and the other Group option that will appear) and Voila! You now have your very own product label tag that you can use for your sales presentation. For added impact, think about adding some text inside the tags.

label tag7

Conclusion

An impressive deck is often eye-catching and unique, but more importantly, it should always be there to support you when you need to pitch to the crowd. Experiment with PowerPoint and add a tag to your slides. It’s simple and interesting. With just a few clicks using the Shapes tool, you’ll already have a tag-shaped image that you can spice up with text or gradients for depth.

Having trouble with your deck design? Our SlideGenius experts are always ready to help. Contact us today for a free quote!

Reference

“Making Sales Presentations.” Entrepreneur. February 24, 2013. Accessed May 15, 2014.

About SlideGenius

SlideGenius.com is your business Power Point presentation expert. Based in San Diego, California, SlideGenius has helped more than 500 international clients enhance their presentations, including those of J.P. Morgan, Harley-Davidson, Pfizer, Verizon, and Reebok. Call us at 1.858.217.5144 and let SlideGenius help you with your presentation today!

Using PowerPoint Shape Tool to Create Powerful Presentations

graphics

PowerPoint shape

shape designs

shape tool

May 13, 2014

The Shapes tool in PowerPoint is very useful for creating diagrams, graphics and other visual elements for your presentations. Its large collection of shapes allows you to add balloons, borders, arrows, and other shape designs in your presentations. This functionality also helps create custom shapes depending on your design requirements.

Working with PowerPoint Shape tool is very easy. It’s as simple as locating the Insert tab and clicking on Shapes. Doing so will launch a popup window where you can choose any shape that you need. To give you an idea, here are a couple of ways you can manipulate shapes in PowerPoint Slides:

Adding Text to Shapes

Draw a shape and then start typing to add text. By default, the texts will be centered on the shape, but you can change alignment by selecting them and using the contextual mini-toolbar.

The text will not auto-re-size, however, to stay within the shape’s borders. It simply adjusts the shape as you continue typing.

To control this, right-click on the shape and select Format Shape. Then, click Text Options and after that, Text Box. Depending on your preference, change it to either “Shrink text on overflow” or “Resize shape to fit text,”

text
Naturally, putting so much text on a shape is not exactly a great idea but at least you know how to work around it. As you create them, both text and the shape become part of the same object.

Deleting the shape will also delete the text. If you want text to be separate from the shape, redraw the shape and use the Text Box tool when you type the text. If you need to move them together, you may choose to group them.

Changing a Shape into Another Shape

Let’s do this with the arrow shape. Choose the arrow from the Shapes menu and add it to your slide.

Untitled

Clicking on it will cause two yellow diamonds appear on its opposite sides. These diamonds indicate the areas of the arrow that you can edit.

arrw

 

Click and hold the diamond on the left portion of the arrow. Then, try dragging it for a bit in a downward direction. You will see that this lets you control the width of the arrow’s frame. Click and hold the other diamond at the top of the arrow. Drag it to the right. Doing so allows you to manipulate the size of the pointer.

arrw2

As you control the yellow diamonds, you can change the way the arrow is shown on the slide.

These are just some of the ways you can play with PowerPoint’s Shape functionality. We’ll be doing some more demonstration in the following days, so stay tuned.

Creating a Jigsaw Puzzle Piece with PowerPoint Shapes

jigsaw puzzle

Jigsaw Puzzle piece

PowerPoint shape

shape design

May 12, 2014

PowerPoint isn’t just a tool for presentations—it can also be used to create custom graphics, such as jigsaw puzzle pieces. Whether you’re trying to visually represent teamwork, problem-solving, or any concept that involves pieces fitting together, jigsaw puzzle pieces are a great visual metaphor. With a few simple steps, you can create these puzzle pieces using PowerPoint’s built-in shapes.

Here’s how to create a jigsaw puzzle piece in PowerPoint using shapes:

1. Start with a Square or Rectangle Shape

The base of a puzzle piece is typically a square or rectangle. This will act as the foundation for your jigsaw piece.

How to Do It:

  1. Insert a Square/Rectangle: Go to the Insert tab and select Shapes. Choose either the Rectangle or Square from the list.
  2. Adjust Size: Click and drag to create a square or rectangle on your slide. Hold down the Shift key to make a perfect square.

Example: Start with a square measuring 2 inches by 2 inches, as this creates a nice, even shape for your puzzle piece.

2. Add Circles for the Tabs and Sockets

A key characteristic of jigsaw puzzle pieces is the “tabs” (the protrusions) and “sockets” (the indentations). You can create these using circles.

How to Do It:

  1. Insert a Circle: Go to Insert > Shapes and choose the Oval shape. Hold down the Shift key while drawing to create a perfect circle.
  2. Position the Circle: Place the circle on the edge of your square, halfway overlapping it, to represent a tab.
  3. Duplicate the Circle: Copy and paste the circle (or right-click and select Duplicate) and position the new circle on the opposite edge of the square to create a socket. You’ll adjust this later to subtract it from the base square.

Example: Create circles that are about one-third the size of the square to create well-proportioned tabs and sockets.

3. Subtract and Combine Shapes

To make the tab and socket more realistic, you’ll need to subtract the socket circle from the square and combine the tab circle with the square.

How to Do It:

  1. Combine the Tab Circle:
    • Select both the square and the circle that will act as the tab.
    • Go to the Shape Format tab and click Merge Shapes.
    • Select Union to combine the tab with the square.
  2. Subtract the Socket Circle:
    • Select the square and the circle that represents the socket.
    • Go to Shape Format > Merge Shapes and select Subtract. This will cut out the socket from the square.

Example: After applying the Union and Subtract functions, your shape should now resemble a puzzle piece with one tab and one socket.

4. Add More Tabs and Sockets

Repeat the process to add tabs and sockets on other sides of the square. For a complete jigsaw piece, you may want to add one or two tabs and one or two sockets.

How to Do It:

  1. Insert More Circles: Follow the same process to create additional circles for more tabs or sockets.
  2. Position the Circles: Place them on different sides of the square as needed.
  3. Use Merge Shapes: Continue using the Union and Subtract functions to create the desired shape.

Example: You could create a puzzle piece with one tab on the top, one socket on the bottom, a tab on the left, and a socket on the right to create a versatile, interlocking piece.

5. Add Color and Style

Now that you have your puzzle piece, you can customize its appearance by adding color, shading, or borders.

How to Do It:

  1. Select the Puzzle Piece: Click on the shape to select it.
  2. Apply a Fill Color: Go to Shape Format > Shape Fill and choose a color for your puzzle piece.
  3. Add a Border: You can add a border or outline by selecting Shape Outline and choosing a color and thickness for the border.
  4. Add Shadows or Effects: For a more polished look, use Shape Effects to add shadows, 3D effects, or gradients.

Example: Add a bright blue color fill and a subtle shadow to give the puzzle piece a more dynamic, professional appearance.

6. Create Multiple Puzzle Pieces

To complete the puzzle effect, you can duplicate the puzzle piece, adjust the tabs and sockets for each, and place them next to each other to create interlocking pieces.

How to Do It:

  1. Duplicate the Puzzle Piece: Right-click the puzzle piece and choose Duplicate or press Ctrl + D.
  2. Adjust the Tabs and Sockets: Modify the positions of the tabs and sockets using the Merge Shapes options so that the pieces fit together when aligned.
  3. Align the Pieces: Drag the pieces together on the slide so they fit together like a real puzzle.

Example: Create four puzzle pieces with varying tab and socket positions, and arrange them into a larger square to complete your puzzle design.

Final Thoughts

Creating a jigsaw puzzle piece in PowerPoint is a fun and effective way to add interactivity and visual interest to your presentations. By combining simple shapes and using PowerPoint’s Merge Shapes function, you can create custom puzzle pieces that symbolize teamwork, problem-solving, or any concept that involves fitting pieces together. Once you’ve mastered these steps, you can easily create full jigsaw puzzles that add depth and creativity to your slides.