Designing Effective “PowerPoint Presentations”

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Rule 1: Make it Big This is Arial 12

This is Arial 18

This is Arial 24This is Arial 32

This is Arial 36This is Arial 44

Too Small

Much Better

Falling Leaves

Too Small

Falling Leaves

Better

Rule 2: Keep It SimpleInstructional Technology:

A complex integrated process involving people, procedures, ideas, devices, and organization, for analyzing problems and devising, implementing, evaluating, and managing solutions to those problems in situations in which learning is purposive and controlled(HMRS 5th ed.)Too detailed !

Instructional Technology:A processinvolving people, procedures & toolsfor solutionsto problems in learning(HMRS 5th ed.)

Much Simpler

Falling LeavesDelhi Mumbai Goa

January 11,532,234 14,123,654 3,034,564February 1,078,456 12,345,567 16,128,234March 17,234,778 6,567,123 16,034,786April 16,098,897 10,870,954 7,940,096May 8,036,897 10,345,394 14,856,456June 16,184,345 678,095 4,123,656July 8,890,345 15,347,934 18,885,786August 8,674,234 18,107,110 17,230,095September 4,032,045 18,923,239 9,950,498October 2,608,096 9,945,890 5,596,096November 5,864,034 478,023 6,678,125December 12,234,123 9,532,111 3,045,654

Too detailed !

Falling LeavesIn Millions Delhi Mumbai GoaJanuary 11 14 3February 1 12 16March 17 6 16April 16 10 7May 8 10 14June 16 0 4July 8 15 18August 8 18 17September 4 18 9October 2 9 5November 5 0 6December 12 9 3

Much Simpler

Use Simple ImagesArt work may distract your audience

• Artistry does not substitute for content

Use Sound Only if Essential

Sound effects may distract

• Use sound only when necessary

Use Simple TransitionsThis transition is annoying, not enhancing

• "Appear" and "Disappear" are better

Rule 3: Make It ClearALL CAPITAL LETTERS ARE DIFFICULT TO READ

Upper and lower case letters are easier to read.

Use Clear FontsSerif fonts are difficult to read on screen

Sanserif fonts are clearerItalics are difficult to read on screen

Normal or bold fonts are clearerUnderlines may signify hyperlinksInstead, use colours to emphasise

Use Numbering CorrectlyUse numbers for lists with sequenceFor example:

How to put an elephant into a fridge?

1. Open the door of the fridge2. Put the elephant in3. Close the door

Putting a Giraffe into a Fridge?

1. Open the door of the fridge2. Take out the elephant3. Put the giraffe in4. Close the door

PrioritySequenceHierarchy

Use Bullets for Lists Without

Use Colour CorrectlyUse contrasting colours• Light on dark vs dark on light • Use complementary colours

Not Clear

Make It Clear (Complement)

Use contrasting colours• Light on dark vs dark on light • Use complementary colours

Much Clearer

Use Contrasting SizeSize implies importance

Use Contrasting SizeSize implies importance

Rule 4: Be ConsistentDifferences draw attention

Differences may imply importance

Use surprises to attract not distract

Be ConsistentDifferences draw attentionDifferences may imply importanceUse surprises to attract not distract

This Works

Be ConsistentDifferences draw attention Differences may imply importanceo Use surprises to attract not distract

This Doesn’t

Be ConsistentDifferences draw attention• Differences may imply importanceUse surprises to attract not distract

This implies importance

Be ConsistentDifferences draw attention• Differences may imply importanceUse surprises to attract not distract

Confusing Differences!

Be ConsistentDifferences draw attentionDifferences may imply importanceUse surprises to attract not distract

This Attracts

Be ConsistentDifferences draw attentionDifferences may imply importanceUse surprises to attract not distract

This Detracts

The Four Rules1 Be Big2 Be Simple3 Be Clear4 Be Consistent

Professional PresentationSpeak loudly and clearly with fluctuationDirect your words to all aspects of the roomMaintain eye contact with your audienceAsk questions of your audience (if applicable)Don’t read the slidesArrive early and finish on timeLeave time for questions and ask for feedbackPractice your presentations

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