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Who said that presentations can’t be on trend? Believe it or not, the world of presentation design is not immune to the styles and fads of the design world. You can prove that your brand is fresh and contemporary through the presentation design of your slides. But tastes change, and as we approach the new year, the trend cycle will change and bring new ideas to the forefront of graphic design.

However, there are presentation trends that will always be timeless. These elements will always make a presentation appeal to the audience, no matter what. They grab the audience’s attention right away and hold onto it throughout. So regardless of the trend cycle, these points consistently boost any presentation and are important to keep in mind.

Timeless presentation features:

Engaging and interactive content

The core of any presentation is the material and how it is shared. It is not enough to list facts; there needs to be room to breathe. By including icebreakers, games, polls, and activities, the listener can directly interact with the information and ideas shared. It bridges the gap between them and gives the audience a chance to connect with the content.

Use of data and visualizations

When data is visualized in charts, graphs, or infographics, is easier to understand. It is helpful for your audience to have a visual medium that they can follow that simplifies your data for them to understand. With the sheer volume of information available, data visualization helps guide the audience through your ideas and data in a way that doesn’t overwhelm them.

Storytelling

Stories have a universal appeal. People relate to them and they can never fail you. Spinning together a story draws the audience into your world, evokes empathy, and establishes a level of trust. Learning how to tell a story is more effective than learning how to persuade. A story can simplify a complex idea while moving your audience to action.

Creative and unique designs

A good presentation design relies on its creative use of design elements, colors, and images. Creative slide design maintains its impact the same way it maintains the audience’s attention. Using engaging design trends can also help explain your ideas more effectively and support your presentation’s flow.

7 Presentation Trends in 2023

The presentation trend cycle is similar to the regular design trend cycle, which makes it easier for our presentation experts to predict what presentation design trends will take over in 2023. There is an emphasis on connecting with your audience in a new way inspired by the Internet age and social media.

01 Dark mode

In interface design, the increasing preference for dark mode for mobile users has translated to incorporating the dark style into web design. For a long and extensive presentation, it is wise to go for a sleek and dim aesthetic that is easier on the eyes and can maintain focus for longer.

02 3D graphics

The rise of VR technology, the metaverse, and the love of all things Y2K have revived a strong interest in 3D graphics. Creating a visual experience that draws the viewer into the image has a powerful appeal across several mediums that could continue to rise. 3D backgrounds go beyond the clever use of shadows and now use texture and motion for a touch of attention-grabbing realism.

03 Experimental typography

Fun and experimental typography are having a moment this year, becoming more popular for film and TV posters. Playing around with different typefaces is a fun approach for your slides to illustrate your brand identity and mission. Serif fonts, in particular, are making a comeback as they are legible, bold, and graceful, achieving both a practical and aesthetic function.

04 Monochrome

Monochrome color palettes are made by selecting a single color and its various hues. Following the idea of a more comfortable aesthetic, the monochrome trend is simple, practical, and elegant. On another note, a simple color scheme helps brand recognition when creating a presentation design built around the brand’s primary color.

05 Inclusive visuals

Beyond the world of graphic design, there has been a surge in efforts to include individuals of different cultures, backgrounds, ages, disabilities, locations, and classes. In presentation design, this translates into an effort to showcase a variety of people in the illustrations and visuals used to celebrate diversity.

06 Branded memes

Memes are an essential part of the fabric of social media; they’re perfect for adding a touch of humor to your presentation. Adapting memes to fit your brand makes your slides more relatable, and adding humor to your presentation helps build a connection with your audience. The art of a tastefully utilized meme can be tricky, but all in all, the main rule is to avoid a controversial meme and stick to a lighthearted approach.

07 Bold and vibrant colors

In previous years, we’ve seen a rise in minimalist and muted styles. But now, designers and viewers alike yearn for a return to brighter and bolder colors. Vibrant colors create attractive and energetic designs, especially when contrasting the trend of geometric and clean shapes. This style doesn’t use these hues as an accent or emphasis, rather they are the design itself.

What should you do for a rich and trendy presentation?

Note that presentation trends go beyond quirky graphics and thoughtful color palettes. As technology evolves and progresses, we expect presentation design and graphic design to evolve alongside it. Slide design is an essential component of your presentation, but they are in no way the core, rather they are the starting point. These are factors to consider that will make your presentation stand out from your slides:

Going beyond PowerPoint

As we mentioned, PowerPoint is merely the starting point. But what comes after it? Earlier, we mentioned how interactive games and icebreakers allow your audience to connect with the material. They can also switch up the pace with a diverse approach. Another way to branch out of the typical presentation format is to add videos that can further simplify and explain your point. Hand out brochures as tactile souvenirs that summarize your presentation to leave your listeners with. Have a questions and answers session afterward to open up room for any further inquiries.

Making it mobile-compatible 

It is not uncommon for presentation slides to become resources that are reused and revisited. When designing your presentation, make sure that whatever design trend you opt for can be adapted to different formats. The key to a mobile-friendly presentation is simplicity. Increasing the font size, creating cleaner visuals and charts, using mobile-friendly resolutions, and exporting the final product as a PDF.

Utilizing new technology 

If you’re ready to truly go above and beyond for a presentation, utilizing new technologies is a surefire way to stand apart from the competition. New technologies now grant new ways for presenters and audiences to interact with and visualize the material. From holograms to augmented reality to real-time data visualization, these technologies offer exciting opportunities to explore ideas and concepts through an original and stimulating channel.

Incorporating presentation design trends into your slides ensures that your brand is as relevant as ever. As graphic design evolves as a field, there will be a trickle-down effect that reaches presentation design. Presenters and designers alike are constantly thinking of new and innovative ways to share ideas, so why not ride the wave?

Sources:

• (1) https://dribbble.com/shots/15110279-Wallet-Hero-Header-v-4#
• (2) https://dribbble.com/shots/9517316-TV
• (3) https://luc.devroye.org/fonts-51855.html
• (4) https://www.creativeboom.com/inspiration/alex-valentina/
• (5) https://createsend.com/t/d-6E0C5BE989E4E3912540EF23F30FEDED
• (6) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPqAbcehax5/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
• (7) https://www.behance.net/gallery/80889667/Cult-Beauty-Patterns

The end is an inevitable part of any good thing, and that includes your presentation. Leaving a final impression with a strong conclusion cannot be an afterthought; it is the spark needed to set your goals in motion. An anticlimactic conclusion leaves your audience uninspired at best, if not outright indifferent. Ending on a high note will fire them up, encouraging them to remain engaged and inspired to take action.

Why is it important to have a good conclusion?

Striving for an effective conclusion is a reliable way to ensure you fulfill the presentation’s purpose. To really recognize a presentation’s success, one must note its efficiency in yielding the desired outcomes from the audience. A powerful and inspiring ending contributes to enhancing a brand or business and has a positive impact within the presenter’s context. Whether the aim was to secure funding, showcase important data, or gain support for an initiative, a strong conclusion is a necessary component to confirm that the message is delivered and received effectively.

Effective strategies to conclude your presentation

A powerful conclusion leaves your audience feeling energized long after you wrap up your presentation. This is why it’s important to use effective tactics to create an impactful finale. How you decide to conclude your presentation impacts how your message will resonate with your listeners. Consider the following strategies to leave a lasting impression:

Bring back your main idea

Repetition is the key to retention. In the world of presentations, there is no surer way to make your message stick than to repeat it. Although you may feel like this approach is redundant, recapping the main points after each section emphasizes the message and improves audience learning. By consistently repeating the core concepts throughout your presentation, you let them become ingrained in the audience’s mind. And revisiting the same ideas several times allows for a renewed understanding, and the space to notice details and patterns. So you can conclude your presentation by reinforcing and ensuring that your main message is remembered by reiterating it one last time. 

Include a call to action

If the main purpose of your presentation is to inspire action, you need to move the audience towards it. You cannot assume that the audience will simply know what the next steps are without any guidance. Sum up your presentation by leaving them with an instructive call to action that lets them know what to do next.

Close the loop

The “loop technique” is when a speaker concludes their speech by referring back to the beginning of the presentation. This technique offers a sense of closure that is satisfying and concrete. You would use your allotted time to build audience anticipation and keep them engaged until the end, where you finally come full circle to the beginning of the presentation. This is a common structure for talks, and for good reason; it reminds the audience of your main idea and why they were there in the first place. 

End with an inspirational quote or surprising statistic

Occasionally, there will be times when you do not have the right words to express how you feel, so don’t hesitate to use someone else’s. You can use the final slide of your presentation to share a quote that appropriately sums up your message and leaves the audience with a strong impression.

3 Additional tips for a memorable conclusion

Tell a story

Although this is a common technique for opening a presentation, it also makes for a meaningful conclusion. People are social creatures that long for connection, and stories are an emotional tether that creates empathy, which allows the audience to sympathize with your message. If you have been weaving your story with a narrative all throughout, the conclusion is the time to wrap it all up with a purposeful ending.

Use the rule of threes

Using the rule of threes is a super simple and effective way to communicate your main ideas. The idea is that the audience can remember concepts better when they are shared in a pattern of three. This could look like dividing your main idea into three sections or offering the audience the takeaway in a list of three action points, areas for improvement, or any other prompt you want to elicit.

Ask a rhetorical question

For a memorable conclusion, consider leaving your audience with a thought-provoking question for them to chew on. By posing a rhetorical question, you encourage the audience to contemplate and reflect on their answers long after you finish presenting. This leaves your presentation lingering in their minds, but it can also be a conversation starter for them later on. 

Common mistakes to avoid when ending a presentation

There are a few missteps that you should steer clear of when planning your conclusion. A presentation is meant to persuade, and these mistakes can leave your audience apathetic or uninterested in the next steps. 

Failing to announce your conclusion

You want to avoid an abrupt ending to your presentation that confuses the audience by announcing that you are nearing the end before wrapping up. Once you let the audience know that the conclusion is near, it makes them pay attention. You can simply say, “As I conclude my presentation,” for a clear signal before moving into your closing remarks.

Failing to tie up loose ends

In the world of creative writing, Chekov’s Gun refers to the principle by which writers are encouraged to resolve any element they introduce in the story. Similarly, in presentations, this is called the “tie-back principle.” Any time an interesting element is introduced in the beginning, whether a fact, a quote, or a photo, it should eventually be addressed again in the conclusion. It provides a satisfying conclusion and ensures you tie all loose ends together. 

Not offering a summary

With several factors contributing to disordered attention spans, it is crucial to consistently remind the audience of your key ideas. As you conclude your presentation, you can reiterate your points by posing a thoughtful question and using the space to answer it as a way to recap the ideas you covered. As you restate your message, you ensure your audience retains the most important takeaways. 

Concluding with a Q&A

A common mistake made by presenters is concluding with a Q&A session. Of course, audience interaction is encouraged, but it is best to dedicate time for questions during the presentation and not to end on it. Your final words are what are most likely to stay with your audience, so rather than leaving the audience to have the last word, dedicate the final moments to delivering a strong, comprehensive summary and a powerful closing statement.

Not providing a call to action

The main goal of a presentation is to persuade. And while your content may be informative and engaging, you still need to guide your audience toward the direct response you want to receive from them. If your presentation aims to get budget approval, ask for it at the end. Or if your presentation requests support or funding, then tailor your call to action to address this need.

With effective communication strategies, you can end your presentation on a high note and leave your audience with a lasting impression in their hearts and minds. A powerful and well-crafted conclusion not only affirms your message but also contributes to the overall advancement of your desired outcomes. To learn more about presentation tricks and techniques, visit Prezlab’s blog page for insightful and informative articles on all things related to presentation and presentation design.

 

 

You have a vision for your business one year from now: success, growth, and investor interest. But how do you turn this vision into reality? The answer lies in creating a well-crafted business plan that outlines your goals, strategies, and steps toward success. By dedicating time and effort to planning, you can ensure that your hard work pays off and your business thrives.

A business plan is a document that outlines all your company’s goals and the roadmap to achieving them. It’s a valuable resource for every entrepreneur to have in their toolbox, as it helps you evaluate your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. This plan should be a strategic summary of what you want to do in the next year and how you are going to do it. It is a helpful tool to refer back to when pitching ideas to investors or even touching base with your team members. 

A business plan can be used to:

• To get funding
• To convince investors of the viability of your idea
• To get employees on board with your vision
• To attract customers

In this guide, we will look into the key elements and purpose of a business plan and offer practical tips for presenting it compellingly. Dedicate time and effort to planning, and watch your hard work pay off as your business thrives.

Developing Your Business Plan

Define your business objectives 

The first step in developing an annual business plan is to set objectives. Establish clear and measurable goals that you aim to achieve within a specific time frame, and outline the methods you will use to achieve them. Articulating your business objectives helps to align your team members and investors with the company’s mission for the coming year. This clarity of purpose is crucial for success.

Cover the basics 

Include critical information about your business in your plans, such as the mission statement, products and services offered, location, assets, budget, market analysis, and team members. The goal is to provide all the key information needed to understand your business and its direction. This section forms the foundation of your plan and sets the stage for the more detailed strategy sections that will follow.

Check out the competition

Conduct market analysis research to define your target audience and competition. Look closely at your competitors and include a section about what your business can learn from them, your edge, and what strategies and tactics your business would be using to get ahead. It’s important to look at both bigger and smaller competitors so that you get both perspectives.

Defining your competitive advantage

Imagine your business as a product that’s available on the market, among many other options for potential investors to choose from. Consider what makes your business appealing from that perspective, what distinguishes it from others, and what drawbacks could discourage potential investors or buyers. Many business managers get trapped in a narrow-minded view of their business, and incorporating this exercise into their yearly business plan can help them broaden their perspective and look at their business objectively.

Develop a business strategy 

After gathering your findings and determining your unique selling points, you can then outline a plan for systematic growth. Use comprehensive research and sound decision-making to make the necessary preparations to move forward, from allocating resources to relevant departments to developing tactics to reach your goals. 

Outline financial projections

This section is all about the specifics of your company’s finances. It should include a budget, sales forecast, balance sheet, cash flow statement, and any other relevant factors that give insight into your business’s financial position. Accurate and comprehensive financial projections are essential for securing investments and measuring the success of your business in the future.

Determine a timeline

Finally, to bring your business plan to fruition, you must create a timeline that outlines all the major milestones to be achieved. Anticipate potential obstacles that may arise and have contingency plans in place. Establish specific metrics or benchmarks to measure the plan’s success and evaluate its effectiveness in meeting its objectives at the end of the year.

Additional ideas to give your business plan presentation an extra edge: 

Elaborate on the company culture 

Include a slide about “what makes the business a great place to work at.” Though this is something that most business plans do not have, needless to say, it’s important to look at the business from the point of view of employees and what areas could be improved so that the very best talent (the rockstars) can be encouraged to work with you. Great businesses can attract great talent.

Accompanying your business plan with a compelling PowerPoint presentation can be a great way to share it with potential investors. By summarizing the details of your business plan in a concise and visually appealing manner, you can enhance its content and make a stronger impression.

Pro tip: Do not underestimate the importance of presentation design when crafting your business plan. A well-designed presentation can make all the difference in convincing potential investors of your business’s viability.

Tips for creating a winning business plan on PowerPoint: 

Use simple graphics

Too much visual clutter can be distracting. A general rule of thumb is to stick to clean and simple graphics to convey professionalism and expertise.

Use charts and graphs to illustrate data points

Most people are visual learners, visual aids such as graphs, charts, maps, and infographics all help simplify complex subjects.

Make sure that the slides are easily readable

Slides with a large block of text can be overwhelming for the viewer. Only share the information that you want the viewer to remember, otherwise it might get lost within the dense text.

Add images, videos, or other multimedia content

Visual elements such as images and videos strengthen your message and make a presentation more relatable, effective, and engaging. 

End on a high note with a call to action

Conclude your presentation by summarizing all the key ideas and follow it with a call to action that motivates your audience to react. 

In conclusion, a well-crafted business plan is the cornerstone of a successful company. It assists you in evaluating your current situation and outlining your future goals. Your business plan should encompass all crucial elements to define your business and present your future projections. Presenting it in a visually appealing PowerPoint presentation can attract the attention of key stakeholders and create a lasting impression.

Check out some of our other blogs, such as this one in which we talk about the 7 Presentation Trends to Watch Out for in 2023 and this one in which we talk about the 5 Foolproof Presentation Design Styles That Always Impress if you found this one of value. 

 

As a marketer or business owner, you’re probably already considering incorporating video marketing into your marketing strategy. Digital spheres are fast-paced and visual; the right video concepts are your key to customer engagement in the attention economy. The future is video content, your online content marketing strategy should be optimized and relevant to current consumers and require awareness of trend cycles. Unsure where to begin? Keep reading for an idea of what marketers should consider for their video marketing strategies.

What is Video Marketing?

Video marketing is using videos as a way to promote and share your brand with potential consumers. Videos are an emotionally engaging medium that connects with a brand’s target audience. In a digital world, it is more important than ever to use attention-grabbing videos and concepts to stand out in a data-heavy online sphere.

Video Marketing Trends for 2023

Every year, video is evolving, and with it, the marketing strategy for video marketing and content. The way consumers use and perceive online video is continuously evolving, and naturally, the style and format of these videos will evolve alongside it. Understanding consumers shifting preferences helps guide you in the next stage of creating video content. With the current state of online video, the predicted video marketing trends for the next year are as follows:

Streaming, Over-the-Top (OTT), or Video Ads

Despite popular belief, people do still watch a lot of television, except that now it is viewed on streaming platforms rather than cable. For advertisers, this presents an opportunity to insert your video content into the ad slots of an online platform. In OTT (over-the-top) streaming services, you can insert video ads between programs and decide whether to set them as skippable or not. In these types of platforms, it’s smarter to allot a bigger budget for a snappier, well-produced video and leave the humbler video content for social media.

Silent Videos and Using Captions

The origin of all moving images began as silent films in the 1920s, and despite the advances in filmmaking technology since then, there has been a return to silent videos. Since many videos are consumed on a user’s phone, many watch their videos with their sound off. It could be because they are in public and don’t want to draw attention to themselves with an obnoxious autoplay video. This means that it is strategic and necessary to include on-screen captions, it caters to your viewers and helps them benefit from the video whether or not they decide to turn on the sound.

Short-Form Videos

One of the downsides of social media is that it has led to people’s attention spans becoming shorter. It’s now more important and more challenging to grab and maintain a viewer’s attention. Video platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and Youtube Shorts all use short-form videos that are usually no longer than a minute long. Creating short-form videos with eye-catching motion graphics is a practical and attractive way to educate and inspire your viewers.

User-Generated Content

Consumers on social media prefer content created by other people more than traditional marketing material. This is especially true on social media platforms. User-generated content is created by customers and reused (with permission) by the brand; it is also the best form of organic content. Examples of UGC that can be reposted include videos of product reviews or tutorials, or if you have the budget for it, sponsored content by a loyal influencer. When customers see others enjoying and using your product or service, they are more likely to be interested in your brand.

Social Media Stories

Several social media platforms, like Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, and even WhatsApp, have a stories option that lets you post images or videos for only 24 hours before they disappear. Although that might sound like it defeats the purpose of a post, the limited shelf life instead motivates viewers to watch them. It gives a small snippet into whatever it is you want to share, whether it’s a video, event, or product. The simplicity of stories also allows for a great way to test out new content before committing to it.

Educational Videos

Businesses rarely create educational videos relating to their products; it almost feels like an unfamiliar concept, even though it can definitely benefit the consumer. Informing customers about the benefits and how-to of using their product or service encourages them to consider it. Education or tutorial videos answer any questions and address any concerns a user may have. It effectively builds trust by shifting the focus to informing rather than selling, and it generates leads by presenting your company as an authority on the material.

Vlogging for Brands

With the density of online videos, you need to stand out and be creative. Vlogs offer a flexible, personal medium that gives you space to experiment with your brand’s voice and personality. They might not be typical as a marketing strategy, but vlogs are a great way to build a connection with your customers; you can explore your offices, the day-to-day tasks, and the general atmosphere of the workplace to showcase the people behind the brand.

Interactive Videos

Interactive videos are characterized by buttons and options that allow the viewer to engage with and participate in the video. These types of videos let the viewer play a role in the video instead of passively receiving it and making them part of the experience. Interactive videos can use quizzes, 360-degree videos, branches that lead to different points of the video, turn a video into a game, or even use Augmented Reality features (think filters on Snapchat and Instagram!) to add immersive and interactive qualities that are guaranteed to convert views.

360-Degree Video Experiences

With the advance of video-making technologies, 360-degree videos are now easier to make and a great addition to your brand’s video library. Capturing a product or a space with a 360-degree video gives it an immersive and inviting feel. 360-degree videos also allow you to experiment with VR. Attaching a phone to a VR device can let the viewer experience and explore the space. They are especially helpful in the case of real estate since potential customers can scope out a property without needing to be there.

Live Videos, Real-Time Selling, and Buying

On platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and even TikTok, users spend a lot of time on live videos and streams. Live content receives better engagement because it lets the audience directly interact with the brand. Live videos let brands share their events live, showcase the journey of a product, have interviews with employees or experts, receive questions from the viewer, and have a Q&A session. This form of customer engagement strengthens the relationship, making the brand appear more approachable and unique.

Using AI Tools for Video Marketing

The presence of AI nowadays means that you can get more done with the assistance of artificial intelligence software that caters to your needs. AI tools can help you create videos, identify ideal posting times, and offer detailed reports for video feedback and engagement. With marketing becoming more data-reliant, AI tools can help you react quicker to fast-paced marketing campaigns while retaining your personal and professional identities.

Video marketing is quickly evolving, and unless you know what you’re doing, it’s hard to keep up. Well-crafted, creative videos don’t need to be intimidating. By understanding the tools at your disposal and your audience’s viewing patterns, you can identify the ideal video format for your content marketing strategy. Learning about the current video marketing trend cycles is a good starting point for crafting a relevant and effective marketing strategy. You could also contact us for more information about our video production services, we are always ready to help.

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All of our favorite cartoons and movies start the same way, with a few sketches on a storyboard. It helps to create a visual narrative that guides the development of the story and enables effective presentation. Storytelling is a vital aspect of any presentation, and storyboarding is an essential storytelling tool that ensures your presentation is engaging and coherent. It helps you craft a compelling narrative in graphic form. By creating a storyboard, you lay the foundation for your PowerPoint, making it easier to design and communicate your ideas effectively.

What is the history of storyboarding?

Storyboards are a blueprint for visualizing and representing your story and are meant to guide you as you create it. The concept of storyboarding was introduced by Walt Disney and his team in the 1920s. When creating his classic Mickey Mouse cartoons, they would sketch out individual scenes and pin them onto bulletin boards, allowing for easier review and revision of the storyline.  

And although preparing a PowerPoint is unlike animating Mickey Mouse, the need for planning and conceptualizing remains the same. Storyboarding can help you identify what kind of story you want to tell and how to incorporate visuals to enhance your message. With storyboarding, you can map out the structure and flow of your presentation, saving you time when designing your slides.

Think of a storyboard as a sketchpad where you can write down all your ideas in one place. This “brain dump” allows you to explore different approaches and identify what works and what doesn’t. By listing everything, you can edit, replace, or remove elements that don’t add value to your presentation, and refine your story until it’s clear, concise, and compelling.

How do you storyboard your presentation?

Storyboarding is commonly associated with film and animation, but it can also be a powerful tool for planning presentations. When creating a presentation, you’re essentially telling a story using visual aids. Storyboarding can help you organize your thoughts and plan out the structure of your presentation, ensuring that your visual aids enhance your message and engage your audience. Here’s how you can storyboard your presentation:

Set up your storyboard

Start with a new PowerPoint document and insert enough slides to cover all the headlines and ideas you want to cover. Don’t worry about length right at this stage; you will later cut any irrelevant or tedious slides.

Decide on your arc

Define the main message or idea you want to share, and think about the stages it takes to reach that idea. The arc of the narrative becomes easier to understand when you split it into chapters. Split your narrative into chapters and use the Notes feature to add more ideas and notes that can help you.

Add a frame for each idea

Typically, one idea should be presented per slide. As you storyboard, add frames for each of your ideas and flesh them out so you can see the entire storyline laid out. Label them to keep track of them.

Rearrange the slides

Once all your ideas are down, step back and look at the timeline you’ve created. This will help you understand the story’s flow better and rearrange it accordingly. Should the presentation reach the key ideas sooner? Does the narrative make sense? Should certain points be shifted to be more logical? 

Get rid of the weak parts

With the entire presentation outline in front of you, you can gain some perspective on what should or shouldn’t make the final cut. Identify the weak sections and start removing any useless parts. Anything that doesn’t serve the main message is unnecessary baggage. Cut down the presentation to the essential elements that best support your message.

Why should you create presentation storyboards with PowerPoint?

Presentation design involves a blend of creativity, planning, and effective storytelling. To optimize your presentation development process and achieve your goals, utilizing a PowerPoint storyboard can advance and optimize your process. Here is why:

Easy to use

If you regularly make PowerPoints, you are well-versed in the basic features, so making a storyboard should not be too far out of your scope. A presentation storyboard acts as a rough draft for the final product. Using a process similar to making a PowerPoint, you can easily develop a storyboard by creating slides to lay down all your ideas. Then, you can begin experimenting with their structure and flow.

Variety of features

PowerPoint offers many features that can be handy when creating a presentation storyboard.  From incorporating eye-catching shapes like icons and banners to integrating media elements such as videos, GIFs, and audio, PowerPoint empowers you to infuse life into your mockups. By incorporating these elements into the storyboard, you can get a clear sense of how and where to leverage them effectively.

Easy to customize

Once you’ve added slides to your storyboard, PowerPoint provides effortless customization options. You can edit, rearrange, add, or remove slides with ease. Additionally, PowerPoint enables you to tailor your storyboard by incorporating personalized text, themes, and visual elements, ensuring alignment with your desired content and tone.

You can collaborate with your team

Collaboration is made seamless with PowerPoint’s team-friendly features. If you’re working with a team, you can develop the storyboard collectively using PowerPoint online. can create and share a collaborative link with appropriate editing permissions. This accessibility allows everyone to contribute suggestions, offer feedback, and provide input throughout the presentation storyboard creation process.

Tips for creating a presentation storyboard

Focus on the headlines 

Begin by identifying the theme of your presentation. List all the key points and main ideas you want to convey. At this stage, the specific structure doesn’t matter; you can connect them later. Dedicate a slide to each headline and expand upon your ideas across multiple slides, allowing for a cohesive flow.

Call to action 

Review the pieces of your story and determine the core message you want your audience to take away. Rearrange your sections to ensure the most captivating ideas are positioned at the beginning to immediately engage your audience. Ensure that your presentation builds towards a meaningful conclusion, and conclude your storyboard with a compelling call to action that encourages your listeners to take action after the presentation.

Don’t be afraid of non-linear structures

Don’t be afraid to experiment with non-linear storytelling structures. While it may seem unconventional to start with surprising points, it can captivate your audience’s attention. Remember that there are multiple paths to a destination, and sometimes starting backward or taking an unconventional approach can be more effective in explaining complex concepts or capturing interest.

A presentation storyboard serves as the perfect planning tool to develop an engaging narrative. By laying out all your ideas, you gain a fresh perspective on your story. Think of a storyboard as your first draft, allowing you to craft a visually impactful narrative using your slides. It simplifies the presentation design process by enabling you to build a coherent story first and then adapt it to fit your narrative structure. If you’re seeking assistance in preparing an upcoming presentation, our presentation design agency specializes in creating engaging and effective presentations for all types of audiences.

Check out our presentation design services!

When you think of memes, chances are you think of a teary-eyed cat or Kermit the Frog drinking tea, so what does this have to do with presentations? Since the dawn of the Internet, memes have gradually grown in popularity until they reached the mainstream and offline arenas. Now memes can be found in ads, merchandise, cultural references, and even political commentary. They are a familiar element that adds lightness and humor to modern life, so incorporating them into presentations is welcomed as a natural progression. Their format allows for a simple image to communicate an idea, which makes them a perfect and fitting addition to your presentation, especially when used cleverly.

What are memes?

Memes are a bit hard to define. Think of them as inside jokes between large communities of people on social media. They are relatable images or phrases (or a phrase over a certain image) that are shared widely for humorous purposes. Memes are often ironic, self-deprecating, or sarcastic. They are reproduced frequently for different purposes and contexts. Sometimes, memes could be references to pop culture, such as TV series, films, music, or current events.

How did memes become popular?

The subject of what is the first-ever meme is up for debate, but early online platforms such as 9Gag played a large role in making memes popular. And considering the vast reach of social media, memes are now inseparable from pop culture. Although they used to be confined to specific forums, they’ve grown in influence and popularity and have crept into group chats, business accounts, and even presentations. They have become a tool for engagement across different communication mediums since they are relatable, familiar, and playful.

Are memes an effective way to communicate?

Memes have grown so much in influence that they can, in fact, now even be found communicating information and opinions. The availability of meme templates allows people to create their own memes to express anything from political views to mundane observations. In recent years, memes have become a way to communicate information relating to public service announcements or for businesses to inform customers of new services, products, events, or updates. They can lighten the mood and appear more personable, especially from more professional bodies.

What are the features of a successful meme?

Ultimately, whether a meme is successful comes down to its audience. The overall purpose of a  meme is to make the viewer laugh, and the factors that contribute to that can vary depending on who it’s aimed at. But important qualities of a good meme are its relevance to the audience, its simplicity or how easy it is to understand, and, of course, humor. A good meme is also one that is “remixable,” meaning that it can be suited to different situations and references. 

Considering that memes are a visual medium at their core, it’s also important for them to have a simple format that is clean and adaptable. They are used to humorously convey an idea concisely and effectively. To be sure that you choose (or make!) a meme that is right for your presentation, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Tips for using memes in a presentation

Using humor is a great way to connect with your audience. At Prezlab, we are always recommending adding unconventional elements to a presentation to stand out. A meme is a relevant and funny way for a presenter to add humor and lighten the mood. Here are some things to consider when considering the meme you wish to include in your presentation:

It should be relatable

When thinking about the meme you intend to use in your presentation consider who your audience is. Is the meme’s humor relatable to your audience? Is it related to your field or topic? Think about what your audience might find interesting or funny, and work from there.

It should be relevant

A meme in a presentation is not an opportunity to show off how funny you are. Rather, it offers a change of pace by injecting humor. Stay on topic and do not stray from the subject at hand. You will waste time and lose your audience’s attention. A meme should be used to engage your audience by giving them a laugh.

Think about your audience

Be considerate of your audience and avoid memes that are offensive, disrespectful, or inappropriate. A tasteless or objectionable meme can discredit you as a speaker, so remain approachable with a wholesome meme.

Focus on value

Memes are an accessory for your presentation, not the topic. They are used to sprinkle humor into your speech and keep your audience engaged, but they should not take over. Use your memes sparingly and do not overdo them, otherwise, it will come off as unprofessional.

Be confident

Memes operate as punchlines; they need to be included as an element of surprise. And to be effective, they need to be presented naturally to make them a fun, unexpected addition. If you doubt yourself, it can downplay the humor and disrupt the presentation’s flow. So maximize the meme’s impact, time it right, and be casual.  

What are some examples of popular presentation memes?

As part of the ever-changing trend cycles, memes can become popular for a while and die out. There are, however, meme formats that are timeless and are constantly used and revived.

Tools for finding memes

Memes are part of the fabric of social media, so they’re easy to find. Any online platform or forum has a wealth of memes for every occasion, field, scenario, industry, or niche. To find a meme appropriate for your presentation there are several options to search from

Reddit

Reddit is a platform for several forums discussing all kinds of subjects from professional advice to personal anecdotes. Reddit is also a popular place to share and find memes, particularly through subreddits related to memes or related to your topic where more casual and humorous threads are taking place.

Social media 

Various social media platforms (such as Instagram and Pinterest) have pages dedicated to memes around different topics. Since memes are a language of their own on these platforms, they are really easy to find. Not to mention the algorithm will surely lead you to more based on the memes you interact with.

Tumblr

Tumblr is a blogging platform where users posts about all kinds of interests from music, events, sports, TV, etc. You can find all types of posts on Tumblr such as videos, quotes, images, and text posts. It is also a very popular platform for memes and many memes are originally reposted from Tumblr. You can follow blogs related to your topic and find memes for all types of humor.

Imgur 

Imgur is an image-sharing website where many memes and funny posts are shared and hosted. Many viral memes and images originated, which makes it a favored resource for Reddit and social media users. Regardless of your niche, Imgur will surely come in clutch and supply.

Create your own

If you have a specific idea in mind, instead of using a meme that doesn’t quite capture your intent, why not create your own? You can Google the template or format that you have in mind, download it, and customize it yourself. Or you could use Imgflip, a website that offers many, many meme templates you can choose from and lets you customize the text.

Memes can offer a welcome break of pace during a presentation. This is why the choice of meme should be thoughtful and relevant. They help get your point across as well as keep your listeners interested and engaged. You can choose a simple, relatable meme from a social media platform, or you can create your own using a template. After all, laughter is the best medicine.

Being a presentation design agency, we can get pretty defensive upon learning that PowerPoints tend to have a bad rep. We get it, they can be tedious, but they’re also a medium that platforms ideas and creativity. So, why do people dislike them so much? We’d like to address the PowerPoint cynics and convert them into fans.

Why do we still need PowerPoint?

You might be thinking, do we actually still need PowerPoint presentations? And why not? Several reasons made them an essential tool in our world, and those reasons haven’t disappeared.

They help co-facilitate   

PowerPoints are the ultimate wingman. They bolster you during your presentations and support your ideas with visual aids. Simple slides can summarize your main points alongside straightforward, engaging images or GIFs. Your slides can speak for you. If you’re dealing with a dry audience, you can have your slides pose questions that you can bounce off of and answer to keep the presentation running smoothly. Sometimes, you can even use a silly image or text to take your audience by surprise and keep them engaged.

They respect visual learners

You might be familiar with the various types of learners: those who learn by seeing, doing, or listening. Otherwise known as visual, kinesthetic, and auditory learners. Presentations are often speeches, which can be great for auditory learners but can risk losing visual learners. PowerPoint slides allow the visual learners in your audience to process the information you are presenting by aligning images and texts. The visual elements in PowerPoints can also act as visual cues that help keep everyone on the same page.

The advanced features

One of the ways to keep your PowerPoint presentations relevant is to take advantage of the many hidden or not-so-hidden features. Using game templates, for example, for games such as Jeopardy or Family Feud can shake things up and offer a change of pace for your audience members. There are also action buttons that use hyperlinks to encourage the audience to participate in a presentation and challenge the typical linear structure of a PowerPoint. Other features, such as creating a custom slide show or keyboard shortcuts, make it a convenient and helpful tool for simplifying presentations. 

Why don’t people like PowerPoint?

Still, PowerPoints can be unpopular. This is why we dedicate our services to ending the so-called Death by PowerPoint by providing alternatives to the many presentation pet peeves. And we agree, presentations are often misunderstood and misused. Let us look at where most people get them wrong, and how to readjust these common mishaps.

Dependence on PowerPoint slides

PowerPoint slides are made to showcase points the presenters want to make, from data to summaries to images. However, presentations become dull very quickly when the presenter only reads the slides aloud and entirely relies on them. Although presenters will spend a lot of time preparing their slides, in the end, it really comes down to what they know about the material. But even if the information is valuable, the audience will have a hard time connecting if there isn’t an effort to really address them. Eye contact and body language become essential for presenters to communicate their interests and passions. When a presenter prepares well and knows their material, they can loosen up and speak freely without constantly relying on their notes. If the speaker isn’t compelling enough on their own, PowerPoint can only do so much.

Slides are not enough on their own  

When a presenter relies too much on their slides, they tend to skip over information, assuming that the audience is reading everything on screen. Just because a point was included in a slide does not mean that the presenter shouldn’t address it. Otherwise, it will very likely be forgotten. There are ways to combat this; of course, we suggest including points in your presentations that you plan to elaborate on. You could also distribute handouts or display a flipchart that has all the main information that the audience could refer to throughout the presentation.

Generic templates and clipart 

It goes without saying that much of the clipart and templates in PowerPoint have become outdated and tacky. Using them could turn off your audience from your presentation. A little creativity in your presentation design can do wonders for your audience’s attention. Luckily, there are hundreds of innovative and stylish presentation templates available online, or you could consult a presentation design agency (such as ourselves) for original and captivating PowerPoint design. Visual consistency also influences how your audience perceives your presentation and overall brand, establishing the presenter as a trustworthy source on the subject matter.

Common PowerPoint mistakes and how to fix them 

Be the change you want to see in the world. There is no reason to give people any more reasons to dislike PowerPoint. If you catch yourself falling into these common PowerPoint mistakes, it’s not too late to change course and fix it.

It’s not interactive

Audiences are more involved when they can interact with the material, and they can retain the information better. Many presenters tend to overlook this point in favor of getting through the presentation slides. But when there’s no incentive for the audience to participate, they lose interest. Presenters can be hesitant to include interactive segments in their presentations for fear that things will fall out of their control. But when you learn to cultivate the confidence to lead an audience, managing a room of people becomes less daunting. Set aside allotted time for your audience to speak their minds, and don’t be afraid to respectfully remind them of their time limit. For a Q and A session, you can have the audience write down their questions throughout the presentation to make that portion smoother.

Exceeding the time limit 

The most exhausting kind of presentation is one that goes on for too long. When a presenter goes over the time limit, not only does it tire out and bore your listeners, but you also risk coming off as disrespectful of their time. Remember that a PowerPoint presentation is used for an overview, not a report. Take your suggested time slot seriously. One way to ensure sticking to the time limit is by practicing your presentation beforehand and timing yourself. That way, you can decide which points to include that serve your main idea.

Reading the slides aloud

A super common mistake we touched on earlier is relying a little too much on your PowerPoint by reading out the text on your slides or notes. Even if your information is valuable, the audience will have a hard time connecting if there isn’t effort on your side. Address your audience by making eye contact and using your body language to communicate your interest and passion. Much of this comes down to preparation. When you prepare well and know your material, you can loosen up and speak freely without constantly relying on your notes to talk.

Too much text

Another common side effect of relying too heavily on your PowerPoint is cramming your slides with far too much text. Your audience should not have to split their attention between your slides and your speech. If the audience has to divide their attention to different areas, you will lose it entirely. Only list your key points in your slides, highlighting the most important information and limiting your text to a few lines. You could ask yourself what main ideas you want your audience to walk away with, and summarize them in your slides.

Lack of emotional engagement

Being in a business setting, you might feel the need to present a pragmatic and objective version of yourself, but being emotionless doesn’t serve your presentation. Finding ways to emotionally engage with your audience, whether by telling a story or using relatable analogies, can build a connection. A good way to highlight the emotional perspective of your presentation is framing it around “why” questions. Why did you start your project? Why was it important? Why was it challenging? Why did it need to be accomplished? The answers would almost always bring out a more humane element of your material.

Ineffective visuals

Less-than-ideal slide design can distract from the content of the presentation. Flashy and contrasting colors, obnoxious fonts, too many images, and showy transitions are all unnecessary additions that make your presentation appear unprofessional and gaudy. PowerPoint indeed has many convenient and valuable features, but there is no need to include them all at once. It is best to opt for a clean, simple design with a pleasing color palette and unique structure rather than overdone, crowded slides with far too much going on.

Despite the less-than-flattering sides of PowerPoint presentations, they remain a valuable tool for sharing world-changing ideas. The key is finding ways to harness the common presentation setbacks and turn them into effective communication methods that win over your audience. The world of presentations is constantly changing and growing, which offers opportunities for more creativity and flexibility. Learning how to adapt to the audience’s needs is a skill set that is never done evolving.

Chances are, you’ve been hit with World Cup fever. This Sunday, the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 stunned the audience with surprising cameos, nostalgic throwbacks, and beautiful visuals. It got us thinking. There is a lot to learn from the opening ceremony that we can apply to presentation storytelling.

Focus on what we have in common

The ceremony highlighted the importance of coming together over a shared passion. Presentations can be tedious when the content might not necessarily be relevant to your audience, which is why it’s important to bring attention to the common factors. Emphasize all the ways your material and data are related to your listeners and build bridges to reach them. Presentations are the perfect opportunity to make connections with an audience.

Credit those who came before you

To get to where you are, there is a team that helped you, pioneers in your field who set the standard, and experts who provided a base you were able to work with. In any area you might be discussing, your efforts contribute to a larger scheme of development and innovation. Take the time to share the insights and successes that preceded you, and use them to build your data.

Celebrate your roots 

Nothing says humility like remembering your roots. Origin stories are moving and audiences love being a part of your journey. This also gives you the space to elaborate on your process and progress. Start strong by setting the scene and discussing your beginnings; this grabs the audience’s attention and can be used to indicate what will follow. You can then end by circling back to the start to give the presentation a neat, thematic conclusion.

A little theatrics never hurt anyone 

Of course, it wouldn’t be a World Cup ceremony if there wasn’t a little drama. From the powerful performances and stunning choreography, it was a memorable event. Storytelling takes you on a journey, and the visuals, sounds, and performances all add up to a powerful show. Sharing your ideas using several different mediums throughout the presentation keeps it interesting. The audience is constantly wondering what will happen next. Using emotional speech that varies in its inflection and emphasis helps establish the mood the speaker wants to convey.

There is no one way to present an idea. We can always find inspiration in unlikely places, and since the 2022 World Cup amasses a large global audience, there are elements of their displays that we can implement in our presentations. We can learn from understanding the enthusiasm and drama that captures us, and adopt what works to make our presentations stand out.

Sources:

• Images (1), (2), (3), and (4): https://www.thesundaily.my/home/opening-ceremony-qatar-2022-world-cup-MH10245810

 

When you think of animated GIFs, you’re probably thinking of the silly loops in your group chats. But what if we told you that they also make a riveting addition to your presentations? Used in social media and increasingly on new sites, GIFs can give your presentation a compelling, lively personality. Their popularity inevitably worked its way into the world of PowerPoint presentations since they can also be used for educational purposes, and now we can’t get enough of them. 

What is an animated GIF?

GIF is actually an acronym for graphics interchange format. They are animated image files that loop on repeat, first popularized by the blogging website Tumblr. The GIF format can support nearly 8 bits per pixel and large color palettes, which makes it smaller than JPEGs and therefore faster to load.

Why use GIFs in presentations?

Animated GIFs are a middle ground between images and videos. They add a touch of humor and lightness and can spark up a presentation with their vitality. Their short, looping format is convenient and won’t interrupt or take time. And they often have such a small file size that there isn’t any concern about crashing your PowerPoint or lagging. Using GIFs is ideal as it adds an interactive element to your presentation, such as an animated logo, graph, or even an infographic.

How to find GIFs for presentations?

If you’re interested in using an animated GIF for your presentation but don’t have one ready, you don’t have to worry. You can easily find hundreds, if not thousands, of GIFs online. Googling your keywords plus “GIF” is a great starting point. Websites like GIPHY and Tenor have thousands of GIFs you can browse and search through.

You can also use this search method in PowerPoint. On the slide where you want to add your GIF, find the Insert tab and go to Pictures. Click on Online Photos to find a pop-up webpage that lets you search for Creative Commons images on Bing.

How to insert a GIF in PowerPoint

Once you have a GIF you want to use in your presentation design, you can easily insert it into a PowerPoint. The process is similar to adding regular images but with a couple more steps. 

Starting at the slide where you want to add your GIF file, go to the Insert tab and select Pictures. Find the GIF in your File Explorer and insert it.

To animate it, jump to the Slide Show tab above and select the From Current Slide in the Start Slide Show to have it play.

How to insert a GIF in Google Slides

Similarly, if you want to embed a GIF in Google Slides, you would start by going to the slide you want. Go to Insert and select Images. Click on Upload from computer.

In the pop-up File Explorer, find the GIF you want to add and click on Open.

Adjust and format your GIF accordingly.

How to insert a GIF in Keynote

If you’re using Keynote on a Mac device, you could still add a GIF by dragging a dropping the gif file from your computer into a slide. You could drag and adjust the GIF the way you would an image.

Find the Format button above and switch to the Movie tab.

You can untick Start movie on click to play the GIF as you go on the slide automatically. And in the Repeat menu, you can choose to turn off the loop, so the GIF can only play once and stop.

How to insert a GIF using URLs

Typically, you might find a GIF you like online but not a direct download link. Or maybe you prefer to add it directly to your presentation without downloading. In that case, on PowerPoint, you could add a GIF using its URL. You right-click and select Copy Image Address.

On the slide where you want to insert your GIF, go to Insert, click Pictures, and select This Device.

In the File Explorer, find the Tools menu and select Link to File.

Paste the address into the File name and press Insert.

How to play animated GIFs

Once you insert a GIF in PowerPoint, you will notice a small play icon directly on the GIF itself. You could click on that to play and pause the GIF as you please. Or if you want to guarantee that the GIF plays automatically during your presentation, then you go to the Slide Show tab, find the Start Slide Show section, and select From Current Slide to have the GIF play on a loop as you present.

How to stop a GIF from looping

If an animated GIF keeps replaying, it can distract you and your audience. This is especially true if you are going to stay on a particular slide for a while. You can, however, fix the number of loops a GIF plays so it doesn’t detract from your presentation.

Using the website ezgif.com, you can edit and create GIFs to suit your needs. First, go to the Split page, where you can then select your GIF by either uploading it or linking it. After you upload it, find the Split to frames button below the displayed GIF to divide it into a set of frames.

At the very bottom of the page, below all the frames of the GIF, you will find the Edit animations button. Find the GIF Options box and in the Loop Count box, add the number of loops you would like your GIF to have. Once you’re done, click on Make a GIF! to produce your new GIF. Click on the floppy disk icon to Save. After you’ve checked your GIF, you can add it to your PowerPoint.

Editing a GIF in PowerPoint

Sometimes, you might want to adjust the size or position of a GIF to make it work within a certain layout or perhaps maintain consistency across different slides. Similar to images in PowerPoint, you can adjust, resize, drag, and rotate a GIF to your liking. In the Format tab, you will find a variety of effects, borders, shadows, reflections, or other options to add to the GIF. Note that although formatting options will not affect a GIF’s animation, some effects might cancel it and render it a still image.

Editing a GIF in Google Slides

Google Slides offers several options and tools for you to edit your GIF. These tools allow you to modify everything from the transparency, color, brightness, contrast, shadows, reflections, and transitions of the GIF to adapt it to your presentation’s theme.

Refrain from using too many effects on your GIFs, as it will overwhelm them and come off as unprofessional. 

How to create a GIF?

Do you have an idea for a GIF you’d like to bring to life and hopefully use for your presentation? Luckily, there are ways to create GIFs that don’t require an extensive animation background.

Create a GIF directly in PowerPoint

To create a GIF in PowerPoint, you will need to create a base of several frames first.

To start, insert the intended image which, in this case, could be an icon from the Insert tab Illustrations section.

Then duplicate the slide, and make any changes to your icons in the new slide. It could be a change to its position, color, and size (or aspect ratio). You could continue this process until you have the number of frames you need to create the animation you want.

Next, go to the Transitions tab, find the Transition to This Slide group, and select the Morph transition for each slide. Still in the Transitions tab, you can also go to Effects Options and add additional effects to your work.

You can check how your animation looks by clicking on the Preview option in Transitions.

Once you’re satisfied, go to File and then Export.

From there, you’ll find Create an Animated GIF. In that window, you can select the gif file size you want and how many seconds you want to spend on each slide. Lastly, click on Create GIF. Wait for the loading bar to complete its progress and congratulations! You’ve made a GIF!

Create a GIF in Photoshop

To create a GIF in Photoshop, you will need a bit more experience and a grasp of the basics of the program. Photoshop can let you turn your own images into animated GIF files. 

To begin, you will need a series of photos that can constitute an animation, think stop motion. Note that all the images should be taken from the same angle and have the same number of pixels. Start by modifying the images to appear as they should in the GIF.

Import images into the Photoshop program through File, then Scripts, then Load Files into Stack. Browse to find your photos, select all, and click Open. They should now appear in a single-layer file, and on the right, you will find several layers, which will become the frames of your GIF.

Then go to the bottom, find Window, and select Timeline. Click on the arrow in the center of the panel and click on Create Frame Animation. This should move the first photo into the timeline. 

Now to turn the layers into animation frames, go to the menu at the top-right corner of the Timeline panel and select Make Frames From Layers. In case your photos are not in order, you can go back to the Timeline menu and click on Reverse Frames.

Under each frame, insert how long each should appear, between 1 and 5 seconds is ideal. You can also adjust the loop, flip, and copy and paste the images. 

However, when you want to copy and paste, make sure to set the playback time beforehand instead of resetting it for every copy. You can copy the images by selecting all the images and clicking Copy Frames in the righthand menu, and then paste them by clicking Paste Frames. In the Paste Frames window, select Paste After Selection so you can reverse the frames. 

Back in the main righthand menu, select Reverse Frames as we did earlier, and once two identical frames appear, delete one to prevent the GIF from lagging. You can now preview what you’ve made by clicking on the play button. 

Check that the infinite loop is set to Forever in the bottom left corner, then save the file as a GIF. Now save it by selecting File, Export, then Save for Web.

Uses for GIFs in PowerPoint presentations

It’s tempting to use GIFs in your presentation; they add a dynamic quality that certainly grabs attention. Fortunately, there are loads of creative and practical ways to incorporate them. For example, you could have animated icons, have them add subtle background motion or a GIF that flips through several images.

You can also use them to clarify or illustrate ideas like showing data changes, explaining metaphors, changing colors to show progress or even showing a mini-tutorial on how to use a feature in an app or website.

Whichever way you choose to use GIFs, it guarantees added value to your presentation by amplifying your ideas and infusing your PowerPoint with energy.

Animated GIFs are a refreshing addition to break away from the typical presentation formula. Easy, fun, and eye-catching, they are a unique format that gives life to your slides and will ensure that you stand out. Cut to the chase and liven up your presentations with movement that strings your audience along.

References:

• GIF (1): https://techcrunch.com/2015/06/04/tumblr-debuts-its-own-gif-search-engine/

Music can give a presentation a certain ambiance that makes your audience sit up straighter. Of all the ways you can spice up a presentation, rarely do we consider sound. The immersive quality of music, or even a voiceover, can elevate your speech, leaving a memorable impression on your audience. Learn how to add sound and music to give your presentation the little extra kick it needs to inspire listeners.

Adding audio from your computer

To add an audio file to a PowerPoint presentation, use a compatible file such as .wav, .wma, or .mp3. On the slide you wish to add the audio to, go to the Insert tab and find the Media cluster. In the Audio menu, you’ll find an option to add media from your PC or record your own audio.

Click on Audio on my PC and select the file you want to use.

Recording audio from PowerPoint

In your PowerPoint presentation, go to the slide where you wish to add the audio. And again, click on the Insert tab, find the Media group, and select Record Audio from the Audio drop menu.

Once you click on Record Audio, a small pop-up window called Record Sound appears. Change the name of the audio file and press Record to start and Stop to end the recording. You could replay what you’ve recorded by clicking on Play, and once you’re satisfied with the result, click OK to insert the audio clip.

How to edit audio on PowerPoint

You can alter and edit the audio clips in your presentation by selecting the audio and finding the Audio Tools on the toolbar. Under the Playback tab, there are several tools you can use to adjust the audio to your liking.

With Bookmarks, you can bookmark certain parts of the audio that you can spot on the timeline, which helps find specific points in an audio track.

In the Editing section, you can trim the audio or play around with the fade-in or fade-out options.

In the Audio Options, there are multiple options for adjusting the audio’s performance by managing the volume and Start options. There you find features such as Loop Until Stopped to keep replaying the audio, Play Across Slides, Hide During Show to hide the audio icon, and Rewind After Playing to restart the track once it’s done.

The features in the Audio Format tab are related to the image or icon you want the audio to be represented in and editing its visual characteristics.

Adding audio from an online link

Sometimes, you might want to add a music track you found online, such as a SoundCloud link. To do so, Insert an image or icon, which you will use to link your online audio.

Right-click on the image and go to Hyperlink, then copy and paste the link into the pop-up page.

To play the audio, tap the CTRL key on your keyboard and click on the audio/icon to open it in a new window where you would need to play it and pause it manually.

Adding music from YouTube

To add music from a YouTube link, you would insert a video. If you’re unsure how to do so, you can refer to our blog about embedding and inserting videos in a presentation. You go to the slide you want to add the audio to and go to Insert. Select Video to bring out the drop menu, click on Online Videos, and copy and paste the video you want to use.

After that, decrease the video’s size and move it beyond the visible part of the slide.

Then go to the Playback tab. In the Video Options, adjust the Start option to Automatically to have the audio play instantly. Note that the audio stops when you move to the next slide.

Setting audio playback timing in PowerPoint

To have a smooth-running presentation, you should set the audio tracks to play right when you need them to. In the Audio Options under the Playback Tab, you can preset the audio files to play In Click Sequence, Automatically, or When Clicked On to set the right pace.

In Click Sequence

The In Click Sequence option plays in sequence with other effects you’ve added to the slide. For example, you would have the text, image, and music appear in a specific order. To play the audio, you would have to click on the screen (or even use a clicker) to activate the actions on the slide.

Automatically

When you choose to click on Automatically, you are opting to have the music play the moment the slide appears. The Automatically option takes your mind off any manual details while you’re presenting.

When Clicked On

The When Clicked On option means that you will have to click on the audio icon to start the sound manually. If you want to control the pace of your presentation, then this feature is helpful.

Playing several clips in succession during your presentation

If you are telling a story, there will be ups and downs that need to be synced with the soundtrack. The most practical way to add several pieces of audio to a presentation is to create a playlist with all the audio clips you want to use. You will need to use audio-editing software like Audacity and Audio Mass to join the clips together and have them play in succession. After that, export the file as one and set the Audio Options to Play Across Slides.

How to replay music throughout your entire presentation?

Let’s say you would like to have a single piece of music play throughout your presentation. To automatically replay an audio track, find the Audio Options and select Loop until Stopped.

How to trim music in a PowerPoint presentation?

There might be an audio clip that you would like to use. However, there might be a section that does not suit your presentation. It could feature an introduction that is too long, have an outro that becomes too noisy, or clash with your presentation design. Whatever the reason, you could amend it by trimming the audio. Once again, find the Playback tab under Audio Tools, go to Editing, and click on Trim Audio. The pop-up page will show you the track, and you can adjust the arrows on each side to carve out a clip that covers what you need. Replay to double-check that you’re happy with what you’ve made, and click OK.

Common audio file issues and how to fix them 

On occasion, your PowerPoint presentation might get stuck and slow down due to issues regarding audio and playback. There are many reasons this could happen; they are typically the result of a faulty or incompatible audio file. Depending on the cause, several solutions can refresh and fix your presentation. We’ll discuss four things you should consider when facing any file issues in PowerPoint, what might be causing the complication, and how to solve it.

Make sure your audio files are compatible with your presentation software

Now and then, you might run into trouble with the file’s compatibility with PowerPoint. In that case, you go to the File tab and select Info. Typically, .wav, .mp3, and .wma files are compatible with PowerPoint. If you’re facing an issue, find the Optimize Compatibility section; this section details the media files in the presentation and playback issues you’re facing. If any file is facing a compatibility issue, then you will find the Optimize Compatibility option, which will fix the file for you. 

Check the file size of your audio files

One of the reasons your PowerPoint presentation is crashing could be that you are using a large file, which you then need to compress. To check your file’s size, go to the File tab and find Info. In the Media Size and Performance section, select Compress Media and choose the quality. The Full HD and HD options preserve video and audio quality while compressing the file’s size and saving space. The Standard 480p size saves the most space and is convenient for presentations sent over email. 

Select the compression quality, and PowerPoint will begin compressing the file. The process will take a while, depending on the size and quality of the media. When the compression is complete, click Close.

Convert your audio files to the correct format

If you cannot play the audio, it could be because the audio format is not supported by PowerPoint. The formats supported by PowerPoint include .wav, .wma, .midi, .au, .aiff, and .mp3. If the file you’re using is not in any of these formats, you can convert it with a conversion website or software such as Convertio or Online Audio Converter.

Restart your computer

Sometimes, the solution to presentation troubles is not related to the files you are using. Solving slowness and performance issues could simply be a matter of restarting your computer.

How to remove all music files from your presentation?

In case you change your mind (and you might!), you can always remove all audio files from your presentation. If you decide that the idea in your head doesn’t line up with reality, removing the audio files is as easy as selecting the audio icons and clicking on Delete. 

Often underutilized, audio can add a transformative quality to your presentation, taking it from good to great! By embracing music and sound, you command attention, enhance your narrative, and create an unforgettable experience for your audience. With these PowerPoint tips, you can now spice up your slides with sound and music and experiment with all sorts of audio features. Remember, your presentation is not just a collection of slides; it is an audio-visual journey you can create for your audience. 

From the base to the apex, a pyramid diagram explains concepts for an audience to absorb quickly. In this blog, we will discuss how you can create your own 3D pyramids in Microsoft PowerPoint to help illustrate ideas clearly and creatively. There will also be a free, customizable template for you to use in all sorts of data visualization for a variety of purposes. In presentations, a 3D pyramid adds an element of realism and movement to your slides without compromising on formality or aesthetics. And in information design, they are a simple means to portray ideas visually.

What is the 3D pyramid?

A pyramid structure is formed when a polygon base is surfaced by triangles that meet at the tip. In documents and presentations, typically two-dimensional mediums, a 2D pyramid’s form is enhanced to display it in a 3D perspective.

What are 3D pyramid templates?

A 3D pyramid template is a placeholder with customizable features used to help create a 3D pyramid for presentations. Since the placeholder is predesigned to give the illusion of a 3D figure, all the user needs to do is make the alterations necessary to display the idea the pyramid is meant to represent and not worry about the shape.

How can 3D pyramids be used in presentations?

Thanks to its adaptable form, a 3D pyramid provides a channel to showcase a simple metaphor around flow or hierarchy. Common in information design, its vertical structure also allows it to portray lists with a dimensional view to make them more visually interesting. Usually, pyramids demonstrate ideas around management, process, needs, or organizational lineup.

Presenting business strategies and plans

A pyramid diagram can simplify information related to a company’s vision by cleaning up its goals and strategies into an easy-to-follow flow. A common example of this use is the Carroll CSR Pyramid, which establishes the four kinds of social responsibility of a company, summing them all up on a single page.

Presenting data

All types of data from charts and graphs can be systematized and arranged into a pyramid diagram. Presenting the numbers and percentages this way is straightforward and user-friendly for an audience.

Problem-solving – the Barbara Minto Way 

The Barbara Minto Way, or the Pyramid Principle, is a format for presenting problems, arguments, and solutions. The core message is at the apex, while the supporting arguments and data form the foundation below. The Pyramid Principle is a method to structure presentations as well, where the speaker begins with the main idea and spends the rest of the presentation arguing for it. The focus of the pyramid is to lead you to the outcome by organizing the ideas to move toward it.

Presenting hierarchy 

A pyramid is perhaps most commonly associated with presenting hierarchy and hierarchical structures. In a presentation, a concept relating to a team’s setup or strategy is best communicated through a triangular diagram. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a common example of a pyramid presenting information in this format; it represents a human being’s psychological needs.

Create a simple 3D pyramid in PowerPoint using shapes

Considering the positive addition a 3D pyramid diagram brings to PowerPoint presentation design, you could learn how to create this simple addition on your own. Starting with a drawing of a 2D pyramid diagram, you can add dimensions to give it a 3D effect that makes it more engaging and immersive.

Step 1: Create the pyramid base 

To start, create a square shape to act as your base. Go to the ‘Insert’ tab and select ‘Shapes.’ Since there is no square shape in PowerPoint, you will need to select a rectangle and shape it into a square.

Step 2: Change the 3D options

Now, right-click on the square to find the ‘Shapes Effect’ menu. Find the ‘3-D Rotation’ section and select ‘Off-Axis 1: Top.’ This will flatten out your square.

Step 3: Add a Bevel Effect to the square

To begin expanding your shape into a pyramid, right-click, select the ‘Bevel’ feature, and choose the ‘Angle’ option.

Step 4: Add dimension and shadow 

Then go to ‘3D options’ and adjust the Top Bevel’s width and height to 100 pt and 200 pt, respectively. Then find the Lighting option and play around with the Angle to give shadow and dimension to your pyramid. And now you have a 3D pyramid!

Finally, once you have the base of the pyramid diagram, you can add lines to create tiers and get creative with the levels and text boxes you want to add based on your data.

For a more in-depth example, check out the video below to see the process in more detail.

Tips for using a 3D pyramid diagram in presentations

Keep it simple

Simplicity is key. Adding too many sections and details will overwhelm and obscure the diagram. The simpler it is, the easier it is for the audience to remember and understand the information it shares.

Use high-quality visuals

This applies to any visual addition to a PowerPoint presentation, really. High-quality visuals bring a quality of professionalism and cleanness to your slides that leave viewers with a positive impression.

Be consistent with your use of color and branding

When a presentation is consistent with its branding throughout, it conveys trustworthiness from the presenter. This extends to any shapes included in presentations, such as diagrams and information pyramids.

3D Pyramid Template for Presentations 

Using a pyramid diagram gives your presentation slides an edge. By showcasing data with style and dimension, learning how to create a 3D pyramid paves the path for more opportunities to present information more creatively.

Other than creating your pyramid, an alternative is using a template like the one we’ve created below! The pyramid template is a ready-made diagram for you to use. Just edit the text you want to add that relates to the content of your presentation.

Download 3D Pyramid Template

Prezlab empowers presentations with visually captivating 3D pyramid diagrams, enhancing clarity and creativity in conveying concepts effectively through presentation design. Get in touch for the best presentation design services in Abu Dhabi and Dubai!

With many design-related projects on the horizon, you become confronted with the age-old question: in-house or agency? Is outsourcing or hiring in-house designers the right approach? In this blog, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of both options and highlight key points you need to consider if you decide to outsource talent through an agency.

What are the main differences between in-house vs. agency?

Before we get started, let us clarify the distinction between in-house design teams and agency design teams. An in-house design team is a group of professionals in your company that have deep knowledge of your brand identity inside and out. They are an integral part of the staff and will grow creatively alongside your company. 

On the other hand, with an agency, you work with an outsourced team of creative talents that familiarize themselves with your brand and build on it with informed recommendations. Although they may be a pricier option, agencies offer greater flexibility by providing access to valuable assets, talent, and resources that might otherwise be unavailable to you.

Hiring in-house designers

In-house designers are a team of designers who are either part of the company’s staff or individuals you plan to employ to build an internal creative team. Embracing their work requires teamwork and inter-departmental cooperation while considering several elements.

What should you consider if you choose in-house design?

When contemplating utilizing your in-house design team, you may either work with the existing design team in your company or hire designers specifically for design-related projects and tasks. Opting for an in-house designer means that you need to have regular meetings, assign design tasks, and provide them with a substantial workload with potential career growth to justify the onboarding of designers for your projects.

In what cases is an in-house designer a good choice?

If the workload involves long-term projects and requires a full-time designer, then choosing an in-house is the more practical option. Opting for an in-house designer is better if you require good design to be part of your brand’s image and would like a closer relationship with the designer. Having employees that grow alongside an evolving brand enriches a brand’s growth.

What are the advantages of hiring in-house designers?

There are several benefits associated with hiring in-house designers. First, you would have financial transparency, as they would be an employee on your company’s payroll. Plus, the proximity of the designer to you would help you assess the changes or edits a design needs. There would also be a higher level of involvement as in-house employees understood the brand, products, and company culture. Also, by being closer to other team members, they could always collaborate with or consult other team members whenever they needed, improving their productivity and design process.

What are the disadvantages of hiring in-house designers?

Although there are many benefits to using in-house designers, it can also come with a few challenges. The process of hiring and onboarding designers takes time, plus all the HR-related affairs. Additionally, no designer can do everything, and depending on the vision and scale of the project, you might still need to outsource talents from different specializations. 

Sometimes your company might already have a design team whose talents you could borrow. However, they might be swamped with work from other clients and unable to fully dedicate themselves to your project; in such cases, we advise you to hire an external team.

Hiring design agencies

A design agency’s team can offer a wide range of specialties and talents. And a much-needed fresh perspective. If the in-house team is needed for high-priority initiatives, then an agency can step in and take it from there.

What should you consider if you choose agency design?

If you’re considering hiring a design agency, it’s important to refer to and evaluate the agency’s portfolio and previous experience. You could even decide to test out their work with smaller tasks before committing. See if they suit your brand and requirements. And since they will not be in your office, you will need to schedule regular meetings to maintain constant updates and feedback. It will require effort on your part to reach out, get involved, and participate in the process.

In what cases is an agency team a good choice?

A design agency is a great option for specific design requirements that in-house designers do not have the skill set to manage. Additionally, external designers have a fresh eye and perspective that your brand can benefit from. And occasionally, when internal designers cannot squeeze in design tasks due to more time-sensitive assignments, an agency can step in to ensure seamless execution.

What are the advantages of hiring an agency?

There are many perks to hiring a design agency, starting with the fact that you are allowed to be selective. Since you are searching for a temporary external team, you will find a more diverse pool of talents, skill sets, and expertise. Usually, an agency has consultation services that help direct your project and bring it to its full potential. They are also more accommodating to different time zones and can scale their services based on your business’s growth. Plus, working with an agency means that you will be working with a whole team that you are not required to manage. By not worrying about hiring, onboarding, and micro-managing, you can save time and refocus your energy on other tasks. Although there would need to be frequent meetings to track your project’s progress, you will not be involved in the day-to-day management of the design project.

What are the disadvantages of hiring an agency? 

Note that working with an agency might include drawbacks that would typically come from working with an external team. Firstly, an agency team is a temporary team, and they will need guidance if you require their work to serve a long-term goal. Secondly, agencies also need time, from splitting their time with other clients to putting dedicated effort into their designs. The earlier you reach out, the more likely you are to receive the results within your preferred timeline. Also, an agency can be costly, and with the variety of talent that took years to develop, retaining these skills will come at a cost.

How to make the most of working with an agency?

Hiring an agency’s design team would be a great choice for bigger projects that require more resources and expertise than your current team might lack. Yet, there are points you must consider to make the most of your collaboration with an outsourced team. 

Define your goals

Before you begin, present a design brief to determine the roles in the project and the responsibilities expected from both sides. Set up a meeting with the project manager and involved team members to define any expectations about the project before starting. Moreover, establish a line of communication to keep the conversation about the project’s progress active and transparent.

Be clear about what you need

In addition to the roles and responsibilities, work out the purpose and details of your project. 

• What is the project for? 
• Who is it targeting? 
• What is it meant to achieve? 

These are the kinds of points you should agree on with the agency’s team to be on the same page with them on the project’s objectives.

Set a budget

Before starting a project, decide on a budget that is reasonable for you and that you’re willing to spend. After you’ve determined your budget, begin to research agency and talent costs, market trends, predicted timelines, and potential setbacks that you’d need to prepare for. Once you’ve decided on the budget, you will have set perimeters for the project that you can work within.

Set a timeline

Design agencies juggle multiple projects at once and naturally have busy schedules with several projects in progress simultaneously. This is why it is crucial to have a transparent discussion regarding their availability, which will impact the project timeline and your preferred deadline. Moreover, discuss what would be a realistic timeline for the project and its different milestones that both the agency and company can agree on.

What to consider when deciding between an agency and in-house design resources?

In the end, you are the one who best understands what your company needs. Whether you decide to hire an agency or an in-house design team is a choice that depends on your circumstances, project scale, resources, and intended outcomes and goals. To help you make your choice, consider the following points to better understand which option best suits you.

Your company’s needs

Understanding your company’s needs helps determine whether or not an in-house team or agency is the right option for you. You need to ask yourself:

• What are your organization’s long-term goals and vision? 
• If you are planning to grow your company, how does hiring designers fit into the long-term plans for your company? 
• Are creativity and design core values for your company? 
• Is innovative and captivating design something you wish your company would grow into?

The costs

Hiring an in-house designer involves a long-term investment in your company’s infrastructure; you will gain a dedicated team member who will remain with you for years. On the other hand, working with an agency can give you flexibility if you are only looking for temporary projects. Do you wish to invest in a continuous solution, or do you desire the adaptability with cost and budgeting that hiring an agency would allow?

Your project’s size

As your company evolves, internal departments will face increased demands and strains. In-house design teams would be overwhelmed with their tasks and might not have the skills required for a specific project. Depending on the project’s size, adding pressure on them would not be sustainable. Choosing a well-rounded agency with experts in different domains such as animation, branding, and strategy would deliver a strong result and alleviate the pressure on the in-house team.

Your team’s skills

Based on your projects and marketing strategies, your current in-house team might lack specialization in a particular area, like web development, for example. Although it’s natural, it takes time to create a diverse and well-rounded creative team—time you might not always have. Here, agencies will fill a skill gap and provide your team with the support and talent they need for a particular campaign. 

Your team’s location

When an agency operates in another time zone, it ensures that no moment is wasted as the project is being prepared. The agency’s design team will be filling in the gaps when you are off-hours. Also, the difference in location can bring out a distinct perspective and a different creative mindset based on cultural and local differences.

Your company’s culture 

It is natural to prefer working with creatives and marketers who align with your company’s values and goals. This is made possible by investing in an in-house design team that is interested in seeing the company grow and succeed. Furthermore, an agency’s design team offers a fresh pair of eyes to look at your ideas and encourage improvements. 

Deciding between an agency design team and hiring your in-house team requires reflection on the present state of your company and your plans for the future. In-house designers will continuously evolve and grow with your creative team, but an agency can offer specialized services that are absent in your current capacity. It all comes down to your priorities; whichever option you choose should help grow your brand into a dynamic business.

 If you would like to understand the kinds of services offered by an agency, you could contact our team. Prezlab lends its creative team to all kinds of brands to develop their creative vision and bring it to life, from presentation design to animated videos to brand development.  

 

It is no exaggeration to say that video is the most effective information medium of the moment. Social media sites have all added video or reel features to their platforms to adapt to the increasing reliance on video to share entertainment and information. Presentations should be no exception. A well-placed and relevant video adds a welcome change of pace and dynamic feel, so this article will discuss how to use and embed video in a presentation.

Why should you add videos to your presentation?

Make your presentation more powerful

Pack a punch with an appealing and attention-grabbing video to draw in your audience. A video with an emotional or thought-provoking message can uplift your presentation and push for the intended effect.

Set the mood for your audience

A video in a presentation should have an impact like excitement, inspiration, or thoughtfulness. It must be relevant to the tone and topic of the presentation and help get the audience in the right mood.

Keep your audience engaged

As we mentioned earlier, there are many ways video helps keep your audience engaged; it offers a change of pace from the typical presentation program. Audiences connect with what they see more than what they hear, a captivating video works as an ad for your presentation and keeps the listeners involved. 

Do more with less 

At Prezlab, we often go back to the concept of less is more as a principle in presentation design. Using little text, a video that covers your main points does the talking on your behalf. Having a couple of videos makes for a memorable way to summarize your main ideas.

The difference between embedding and linking a video 

There are two ways of putting a video into a PowerPoint presentation from your computer, whether it is a PC or a Mac. You can either insert an embedded video or link to the video file. Both options have pros and cons, so you can decide which is more appropriate for you.

When you embed a video, you add the video to the presentation file. Meaning you can play the video directly from the presentation itself. However, that also means that the presentation will have a larger file size.

On the other hand, inserting a video link from your computer follows a similar process but keeps the presentation file size smaller. It is important to note that you should have the video saved on the same computer for a video link to work. If the video file has been moved or deleted, then the video will not play, and the link will break. To be safe, have the linked video saved in the same file as the PowerPoint, and if sending the presentation to someone else, send the video file as well.

How do you embed video in your presentation from your computer?

PowerPoint 

In PowerPoint, you will need to go to the Insert tab, select Video, and choose This Device.

Select the file you want to use and click on Insert.

Then adjust the settings in Video Format and Playback to suit your needs.

Finally, Preview your presentation to check that everything is working.

Google Slides

In a Google Slides presentation, go to the slide you want the video to be in. Then click on the Insert tab and select Video.  

If your video is saved on your computer, you will need to upload it to Google Drive and insert it as a Google Drive file. Select the video you want to insert.

Finally, play around with the Format options and adjust how it appears on the slide.

Keynote 

Using Mac’s Keynote, you go to Insert and click on Choose.

It will open a file showing the different folders on your computer. Click on your video, and it will drop into your presentation slide.

Click on Format and the Movie to find the video settings, and finally edit them based on what works best for your presentation, including the option for playing the video automatically.

What are the options for adding a video to a presentation?

When you decide to add a video to your presentation, you begin to consider the many different resources available to obtain your video. You can consider searching for a video or creating your own. Whether linking or embedding is the more practical option for you, regardless of the presentation software you use, there is a way to make it work in your presentation.

Option 1: Use an Online Video Platform

Video-sharing platforms such as YouTube, Vimeo, and Dailymotion have a wealth of educational and entertaining videos. If you find a clip that helps you drive home your main points, you can embed the video in your presentation by inserting a video By URL on Google Slides or through Online Videos on PowerPoint. You can just copy and paste the video link to insert the video. 

Option 2: Use a Video Converter

If you made the video you want to use or have a downloaded video ready, you sometimes discover that certain video formats are not allowed in PowerPoint. In that case, video converter tools are your savior. There are many online sites for converting video files, such as Kapwing, or free softwares such as HandBrake.

Option 3: Use a Screen Recording Software

Sometimes, you want to elaborate on a point through a brief video tutorial. In this case, you can create your own by screen-recording your process. Screen recording software like Bandicam or extensions like Chrome’s Screen Recorder helps you create straightforward video tutorials that you can embed in your slides.

Tips for video-focused presentations

When searching for a video to feature in your presentation, you want to ensure that the video is interesting. Otherwise, it just becomes a weak interlude. What should you keep in mind when selecting a video for your presentation?

Be clear with your script.

A video is a supplementary resource, so it shouldn’t leave any room for vagueness or uncertainty. Its purpose is to aid and explain your ideas. A video is not worth including if it doesn’t help simplify or clarify your points.

Pick colors that pop.

Let the videos you use be a fun respite or a break in the routine. An eye-catching and bright video engages the viewer and energizes them before getting back to the original program.

Keep it short and sweet.

A benefit to using videos is that it diversifies the presentation’s mediums, but even the novelty can wear off if it’s too heavy-handed. If a video is too long, you risk losing your audience, so it’s best to keep it short and to the point. You can even use an edited fragment or excerpt to get the point across more quickly. 

A video in a presentation is a welcome change of pace, it adds variety and snaps back the attention of your audience. It’s important to know how and when to link or embed video to help you take advantage of the medium and add some life back into your presentation.  

There are many moving parts in a design project from developing ideas, brand assets, the budget, timeline, etc. Unless the client and designer agree on all the details beforehand, they will be tricky to juggle and keep up with. Here’s where the design brief comes in, giving all those involved a blueprint to work with and covering all the background information needed.

In this blog, we’ll be discussing how to develop a design brief that is effective and useful for designers, and optimized for the best possible results.

We even have a free template to get you started! Read to the end of this article to download your own customizable template with all the main sections of a design brief.

What is a design brief?

A design brief is a document that outlines all the essential details of a project. It addresses the strategy, scope, and constraints of a project. It informs the workflow, pace, and decisions involved throughout since it covers all the main components of a creative project including the main vision, inspiration, and branding guidelines. The brief also outlines an agreement on the budget and timeline. It is a document that helps both the client and designer decide and agree on how the final product will look.

Why is a design brief important?

When you provide a design brief, you lay out all your ideas for the designers to better understand your project and vision. Describing your industry, company, culture, and project gives designers a blueprint to follow.

Designers will usually not know your industry or company. By providing context and explaining your project, background, and interests, they get insight into your objectives and can begin brainstorming.

For example, PayPal’s creative brief aims to simplify and explain its services to younger users who might be new to handling financial transactions. Its main message is highlighted in the end, and any content designed will connect to and communicate that initial message.

Who writes the design brief? 

Often, a company director, marketing manager, executive, or director writes the design brief. Although knowing how to write a design brief is helpful for startup founders and small business owners as well.

What sort of projects are design briefs used for?

Typically, a client writes a design brief to plan projects such as branding, website development, architecture, e-commerce, and any design-related industry. It will make the process much easier when they can describe their perspective and give insight into what they imagine the project to be.

What is the ideal length of a design brief?

A design brief is a short document, usually a page or two. They specify the overall project’s needs and outline how to achieve them.

What does a powerful design brief include?

The document should have an overview section that clearly outlines the design project. A good design brief should consider the project’s target audience and competitor information. Ask yourself what the project needs from both practical and creative perspectives. What is the purpose here? What are you aiming to accomplish or solve?

Your brief should cover the following details:

An overview of the business and project

First and foremost, the main feature of a design brief is the context of the client and company. What do you do? What is your industry? What is your role within the company or the company’s role within the industry? What makes you different from those in your industry? What are your company’s values and mission?

Your design brief should provide an overview of the project and what it is meant to accomplish for you or your company, similar to how you would describe it in a business case.

Goals and objectives of the design project

Before beginning a design project, the client and designer must align on the goals and objectives of the project. There is a difference between goals and objectives, which is why it is necessary to outline both. A goal would cover the overarching aim of a venture while an objective is the measure of success for a goal. Discuss each point specifically to avoid confusion and make the roadmap clearer.

The target audience and market

Assess who your target audience is. Once you understand their demographics and psychographics, you can determine how the design should communicate the message. What are the ages and genders of your audience? Are they in a particular region or industry? What problem do they face that this project could solve? How would they use your product or service?

The competition

Competitor information helps simplify the industry’s landscape. With an in-depth competitor analysis, a design brief can map out a clearer picture of its strategy. The brief should elaborate on the ways the project aims to stand out from the competition.

Project design information

It is not expected of a client to give creative direction, but there are elements in a design brief that would offer the designer much help such as brand guidelines, references, and mood boards. Fonts, colors, or personalities coherent with the brand’s visual identity help guide the designer through working with a cohesive and relevant style that suits the client.

Project deliverables

One of the purposes of a design brief is for a client and designer to align on a project’s deliverables. When unaddressed, many misunderstandings could arise that only creates delays for everyone involved. Agree on what formats, sizes, aspect ratios, and image resolutions of the content you expect to receive by a certain deadline.

Project timeline

One of the most important things to clarify before starting a project is the project timeline. Know if the designer’s schedule can accommodate your requirements within the desired timeframe. Agree on a realistic and flexible timeline by deciding when the project could begin and end and whether the designer is available throughout that period.

Project budget

One of the most crucial sections of a design brief is the part that covers the design project’s budget. Set expectations and constraints early regarding the budget and whether or not this includes the testing costs. Establish where there could be flexibility in the budget and be realistic with the project costs.

Project approval

Finally, this is the section that details the contributors and stakeholders involved in a project and the roles they play. This is to determine a point of contact with the designer as well as a person in charge of signing off on the deliverables. Here, all of the team members involved in the project are listed along with their details and contact information. Make clear who the point of contact is and mention those involved in the review and approval process for the project.

This creative brief by Hush Puppies is a strong example of an ideal brief where all the primary concerns a designer could have is covered, from the background, target audience, and objective.

Design brief mistakes to avoid

When developing your brief, there are two qualities it must have: clarity and comprehension. When you neglect these aspects, you end up with a confusing and incomplete document. Keep in mind these common brief writing mistakes:

Being indecisive. Know what you want and when. Decide on practical details such as the deadline and budget to avoid misunderstandings later.

Not knowing who you’re targeting. You know your audience better than the designer does. Elaborate on who you are aiming the content at.

Too many details and descriptions. There’s no need for a brief to be so airtight and specific. You limit the final product when the designer cannot maneuver or be creative.

Design brief examples and templates

As a design agency, we have gone through hundreds of design briefs: the good, the bad, and the godsends. Throughout the years, we learned what makes a brief practical for our designers and what inhibits them from creating their best work. So we’ve developed an ideal template that covers all the necessary elements of a good design brief.

The introduction is to share the basic details of a creative project such as the name, projected timeline, and budget.

Then it covers three sections that provide an overview of what the designer will need to proceed with the project. First are the contact details for the person managing the project, the company, and the middle management between the agency and the project’s team.

And it gives space to describe the project details to discuss the project’s objectives and messages. It also explains the project’s intended audience and mentions any available assets used or referenced by the designer.

Finally, the last section covers the project deliverables. This section is where the client and designer agree on the items to be delivered from videos, logos, ads, or other designs. It’s also good to clarify the deliverables that are of high priority and are the most urgent.

Fill in the template to plan your design project including all the primary creative and tonal components. Begin describing your project using the layout we’ve created to produce a powerful and effective design brief.

Download Design Brief Template

 

With the abundance of data available online, there has been a rise in infographic design and information technology as communication tools. The way content is presented and created has transformed, people seek structured content that presents information to them efficiently and attractively.

What are infographics?

The word infographics itself sums it up pretty well, it is a medium that combines information and graphics. Meaning that data and information are represented visually in graphics such as charts and diagrams to make the information clear and understandable. As a visual medium, infographics explain dense and complicated facts and figures for simple and transparent understanding.

Reasons to use infographics

They are appealing

Infographics share information in an engaging and interactive visual format. The motion and colors in an infographic make it an attractive and compelling vision that draws the eye.

They present ideas more clearly

Many people are visual learners, so infographics are perfect for condensing complex ideas in simpler terms for all types of audiences to understand.

They create interest

When information is presented through an eye-catching and fluid design, viewers are more likely to be interested in what a visual is trying to say.

They are accessible

They make big chunks of data less intimidating and overwhelming so that all kinds of people are able to learn from them.

They are persuasive and memorable 

Data and information are made more interesting with creative and narrative visuals, which make them more memorable in people’s minds.

Who can use infographics?

Infographics simplify and explain complex concepts for audiences of different ages and backgrounds, which makes infographics ideal for individuals and businesses across all fields use infographics. Marketers and consultants use infographics to build brand awareness and connect with clients by explaining industry-related concepts. While, government agencies, nonprofits, and educators use infographics for purposes related to educating students or the general public on certain initiatives or to create awareness.

How does infographic design grab attention?

Infographics are a compelling format, they are sleek, informative, and work for a variety of different audiences and niches. When done well, infographic design can communicate valuable information in a purely visual manner. This is, of course, when it is created thoughtfully it commits to a tone, provides a concise summary, and ensures a clear statement that is tailored for its target audience.

How to use infographic design effectively for businesses

When making infographics, infographic design impacts the overall outcome. An infographic is effective when it conveys its message in a manner that is comprehensive and understandable to its target audience. But how is an infographic originated, and how can one make it truly effective?

Outline Your Goals

Decide on your infographic’s main objectives. Think of the narrative you want the infographic design to depict. Depending on the purpose or goal you want to achieve, you are then able to whittle down and choose the information you want to include. Afterward, you begin developing an outline for your infographic design that features the headers, data, and any design elements you intend to use.

Collect Data

Once you’ve decided on your infographic’s goals, you should begin collecting all the relevant information about the details of your topic. That includes information about your target audience, their interests, hobbies, ages, or other demographic information and reliable sources that authenticate your research. With all your research at hand, you can decide how the infographic is arranged and highlighted, as well as what information is worth disposing of.

Create Visuals

Making infographics uses compelling graphics that attract and engage the target audience while simultaneously communicating your message. The layout of the information is an essential component of infographic design, so it’s important to be thoughtful of the style used in showcasing your information. Again, depending on the goals of your infographic, your layout will determine how the information is perceived. The layout will differ whether the infographic is to explore a concept, compare information, share information, visualize trends, or depict data.

Develop a Template

A template is super useful when it comes to deciding how you want to arrange and present your data and the elements you want to incorporate. Focus on the structure of your outline, how does it flow? Are there enough elements included or is it too crowded? Once you have a template, you can then customize it and manipulate it to serve your goals.

Incorporate Style and Design

When making infographics, there are several design elements to include from icons, shapes, lines, and others. The common elements used in infographic design include text, color, white space, and the use of alignment. Design elements are used to provide context, highlight certain points, bring consistency, or make the design more readable. Your template might give you an idea of where and how to use elements, but the elements you decide on, however, must remain consistent all throughout.

Share Your Infographic

Decide on the platform that can help you best reach your target audience. Then share it on the channels where your audience is most likely to find them.

What are the important things to consider when designing infographics?

Be simple

The purpose of an infographic is to condense lots of data into a design that breaks it into smaller, digestible pieces of information. “Less is more” is the key here, the design should be easy to follow without overwhelming the audience.

Be universal

By opting for a visual language of its own, infographics showcase information in a manner accessible to audiences across different groups.

Be original

Considering the density of brands and content out there, it is more important than ever to find ways to stand out. Incorporating your brand identity and voice through the use of color, fonts, text, images, and more will portray an original aesthetic and topic that is relevant to your organization.

Types of Infographics: Importance & Effectiveness

There are several types of infographic design styles, all of which vary depending on the kind of information being displayed and the platform it is intended for. The most common infographic designs are:

Static Infographics

Static infographics follow a format that does not move. Static infographics are proper for professional settings since you can use them in many different ways and across many different platforms. They can be used in blogs, articles, advertising, brochures, etc.

Prezlab: Static Infographic Work Sample

Animated Infographics

With the popularity of video content online, animated infographics effectively gain views and attention on social media. Using moving illustrations or motion graphics is also ideal for articles and tutorials online to give a more visual aid.

Prezlab: Animated Infographic Work Sample

Interactive Infographics

In interactive infographics, the viewers are invited to participate to learn about the data. This infographic design style lets the viewer explore the information at their own pace, and guides them along the narrative. Ideal for handling large data sets, interactive infographics allow the viewer to make decisions that impact the story.

Prezlab: Interactive Infographic Work Sample

Statistical Infographics

Since statistics are based on studies, evidence, and experiments that are great for reinforcing an argument. In a statistical infographic design, the charts and numbers are the main stars, with much less focus on text and narrative.

Informational Infographics

In an informational infographic, a topic is explored in depth using images and heavy text. Thorough and comprehensive, these infographics simplify the main ideas by making specific or niche subjects understandable.

Timeline Infographics

Timeline infographics use a linear structure to portray information chronologically. Often this structure is used to present topics related to historical events, project milestones or timelines, the evolution of a product or business, plans, or biographical information regarding an influential person.

Process Infographics

In a process infographic design, instructions or strategies are outlined in steps. A process infographic applies a balance of images and text to make it accessible to all types of learners. Usually used to convey information related to topics like product guides or digital marketing strategies.

Geographic Infographics

A geographical infographic handles regional data such as weather patterns, global trade patterns, population growth, or mapping the physical locations of a target market audience.

Hierarchical Infographics

Hierarchal infographic designs separate information based on categories or levels, creating a hierarchy. Typically, this type of infographic uses flow charts or pyramids to portray the information and uses elements such as lines and arrows to highlight connections. Hierarchical infographics are often used in showing family trees and management hierarchies.

List Infographics

List infographics summarize information and highlight the important takeaways through clever design. They are used to help remember information and use elements such as icons to list bullet points and summarize textual information.

When developing an infographic, you are making the bundles of data more accessible to an audience. It is a process of deciding on the type of infographic that best serves your data, to thorough research to be applied to a design that tells a story while being informative.

References:

• https://www.pinterest.com/pin/3025924741010342/?mt=login
• https://www.behance.net/gallery/5722533/Infographic-for-American-Stroke-Prevention-2012
• https://www.behance.net/gallery/71209893/History-of-Graphic-Design-Timeline-Infographic
• https://www.behance.net/gallery/51723765/Design-Process-Infographic
• https://www.visualistan.com/2018/12/a-literary-map-of-united-kingdom.html
• https://advisor.visualcapitalist.com/hierarchy-of-financial-needs/
• https://venngage.com/templates/infographics/how-to-summarize-information-for-presentations-infographic-6a1d022b-abd0-48d8-b64c-66ec74c92aa3

 

 

 

Graphic design is a vast field, so where do you begin? To break it down, the design elements are your toolbox, and the design principles are the instruction manual. These two factors work together to shape how a viewer perceives and interacts with a brand, offering a guideline for engaging and pleasing visuals.

What are the design elements?

Design elements are the basic components of graphic design that designers use to create compelling visuals. The elements represent the aspects of an image that define a visual such as shape, color, texture, or symmetry. We arrange the design elements to convey a particular mood or steer attention in a certain direction.

Point

A super basic design element, the point can be used on its own or in a group to form a shape. It is a single mark that does not extend but can be used to highlight a relationship between positive and negative space.

Line

A line refers to the way two or more points are connected. Lines could be horizontal, vertical, zigzagged, curvy, diagonal, thick, or thin. Seamless and versatile, they could be layered to create patterns, curved into shapes, create outlines, or help direct the eye toward certain elements in a visual. They are often used to organize elements in a visual by emphasizing or separating specific components of an image.

Shape

Shapes are all around us. There are three types of shapes that we distinguish: organic or natural shapes, geometric shapes, and abstract shapes. And like color, shapes are imbued with meaning that we associate with them. In geometric shapes, for example, rounder shapes signify safety, sharper shapes like triangles often imply danger or action, and rectangles and squares are balanced, invoking a sense of stability. This is why, in graphic design, understanding these connotations helps when selecting the appropriate shapes for your visual.

Form

The form refers to the way a shape occupies a space. The basic forms include spheres, cubes, and cylinders. It is a design element that adds dimension to a shape. Using light, shadow, and negative space, designers turn shapes into 3D forms by giving them the appearance of height, width, and depth.

Color 

Color is an essential component that characterizes a subject in a visual, so it’s important to use it wisely and consider the subjective perceptions of color according to factors such as profession and culture. Using color theory, designers refer to the color wheel and develop color schemes that help convey a certain mood.

Value

The value refers to the lightness or darkness of a hue, usually pictured as a gradient that showcases the different shades. From the colors portrayed, designers could use different colors to incorporate shadow and volume into an element.

Texture

The texture is the design element that depicts the tactile feel of an object. It could be smooth, rough, grainy, or otherwise. In graphic design, the texture should help the viewer imagine the palpable feeling of a visual.

Space

Using space wisely is the best way for a viewer to understand your design’s objective. The positive space is where your design’s focal point is centered, and by using white space (or negative space), you redirect the viewer to the image’s subject. When a design is crowded, it is usually because of a lack of negative space that overwhelms the visual.

Symmetry

Symmetry refers to shapes with a balanced proportion whose opposites mirror each other. Symmetry creates patterns that are familiar to us and that humans are naturally drawn to and find very aesthetically pleasing. Note that symmetry does not need to be perfect; it only needs to be suggested.

What are the design principles?

Design principles refer to the ways a designer might use an element when creating a visual; they offer recommended guidelines to create good designs. The design principles serve different purposes, from highlighting certain elements to creating overall appeal and harmony. However, note that these principles are connected, so the challenge becomes finding a way to coordinate them for a cohesive final piece.

Balance and alignment

Balance occurs when elements are aligned evenly, spacing out the different elements to create a harmonious equilibrium in a design. A lack of balance happens when no alignment guides the viewer to a visual’s subject. Balance could be symmetrical or asymmetrical, meaning that a lack of symmetry does not entail a lack of balance.

Emphasis

Using emphasis in a design ensures that a viewer’s attention is directed toward the most important message first. Whether it’s a title, a text, or a subject, for the design’s main purpose to be highlighted, a designer would emphasize it by presenting it cleverly to focus the user’s attention.

Movement

Movement is the design principle related to motion. It arranges the elements for the eye to fluidly move between pieces of information the way they’re intended to be received. Movement gives visuals a narrative or story by presenting the main information in a hierarchy that makes sense to the viewer.

Pattern

Whenever a shape or symbol is presented repeatedly, it creates a pattern. There are many ways to experiment with patterns: you could alternate shapes or use consistent repetition or switch up repetition styles.

Repetition 

Repetition occurs when design elements are duplicated in a design, it could occur either as a motif or as a pattern. The repetition principle creates an effective brand identity, and unlike patterns, repetition is not limited to shapes. Repetition of colors and styles creates a sense of familiarity in bigger projects or dense designs.

Proportion

Once you understand balance, alignment, and contrast, handling proportions should become easier to grasp. Proportion refers to the size of elements in a visual (think aspect ratio) and their composition to establish a sense of order. It’s easy to start by grouping elements together; thinking in sections allows for more thoughtful compositions.

Rhythm 

Rhythm can apply to a wide range of disciplines aside from music, such as art and design. Rhythm in graphic design refers to the spacing and arrangement of elements in a visual to develop the desired pace for how the design is received.

Variety

Variety in design refers to the combination of different elements, such as lines, colors, values, shapes, and textures, to create a diverse and visually interesting design. The trick is finding ways to unify all these elements so that they complement each other in a cohesive design.

Unity

Unity as a design principle applies to the ways various elements interact and complement each other. Unity refers to both conceptual and types of visual unity. Conceptual unity is concerned with the information in the design making sense, while visual unity is for the colors, shapes, and textures placed to achieve a harmonious balance.

Contrast

Contrast highlights an element by placing it in an unconventional position. Using contrast creates a visual interest that makes the viewer want to follow the odd element. Common ways to create basic contrast are by using contrasting colors, shapes, or sizes.

White space

White space, or negative space, refers to the empty space in a visual. Using the white space to your advantage, you can create sparse designs with room for your elements to breathe. It is a design principle concerned with what you don’t add to a design. It creates a hierarchy and helps organize the visual to prioritize the subject.

Hierarchy 

When creating a visual hierarchy, you want the viewer to follow a particular order when scanning the information in a design. It is about structuring the elements to highlight the main subject and information first and portray a rational flow of information. When a design lacks prioritization, it feels purposeless and cluttered, so it’s important to have an emphasized element that the design focuses on.

How to use the principles of design?

Familiarize yourself with the above design principles and get comfortable with them. Not every design has to use these principles to be good, but after understanding design principles, you can experiment and break away from them. In either case, the priority is to convey the image’s ideas and information.

What are the differences between the elements and principles of design?

The main difference between design elements and principles is that one is a set of rules, while the other is a collection of components to which these rules apply.

Design elements are the basics of graphic design, the most simple elements one needs to create any design. Lines, colors, shapes, and textures, are fundamentals featured in nearly every visual.

Meanwhile, the design principles are concerned with how to use these elements. They are the rules to keep in mind when using the elements to give visual design cohesion and clarity.

What is the relationship between principles and elements in a design?

While the design elements are the basic elements for any visual, the design principles provide guidelines for working with them and using them to their full potential.

When can you break the rules of design?

Although following what seems like a long list of design rules can feel stifling, good design does not rely on them. Design principles are helpful when trying to achieve a certain goal with your visual. Even though you could be walking a fine line, it is neither uncommon nor discouraging to break these rules sometimes.

All of these elements and principles are the primary building blocks of any design project. Once you develop fluency in all of these aspects, you can break them down and be flexible and creative with them.