how to make visual presentation

Engage your audience with powerful visual presentations.

Visual tools are critical to have in any presentation as they’re one of the key presentation aids that will help enhance your overall presentation .

We’ll give you tips on how to develop a sense of good presentation design whether you’re using PowerPoint, Prezi, Google Slides or any presentation software under the sun. The secret to creating a great presentation does not lie in a superior software, but understanding a few universal design concepts that can applied for all types of visual presentations.

Don’t be afraid to use a few presentation templates – there are ways to make the presentation ideas in those templates your own ideas and advance it in several different ways. Let’s make your next presentation on point and designed beautifully.

Presentations Are The Visual Communication Tool To Your Story

In the age of information, people remember facts faster through stories. Keep your bullet points and information short. You can use a rule of thumb to not put more than a paragraph and 3 points per slide to start.

Make your presentation the visual component of your story, but not something your audience has to read. Something that is short and succinct on screen will capture your audience’s attention and make sure they retain the main points of your message.

This does not mean incomplete slides. A common mistake presenters make is putting too little information on a slide in the name of simplicity when in fact they’re leaving out the main context.

A well designed visual presentation has a great story behind it and a well rehearsed voice telling it as well. Engaging the audience is also a great way to associate meaning or connection to the content of your slide decks. Ask questions and tell stories while showing off a great visual presentation! Think of writing the copy like writing for social media – you only have a certain amount of characters to use and a short audience attention span.

General Tips For Visual Presentations

Before you begin creating your presentation, you first need to know what makes effective presentations – storytelling. Such presentations target the audience’s emotions leading to a stronger connection to the audience member and the main point of the presentation.

Below are some storytelling tips for your slides, but remember to keep the presentation itself simple and practice makes perfect. And again, these are more for your spoken component that accompanies the visual component. These tips can be useful because they can be applied to all your presentations in general.

Step 1 is to ask yourself who your audience is and how to convey the key message you have in mind to them. Once you settle on your message, you can start designing your slides with that direction in mind.

You may wonder how to connect with an audience with your slides. Look to your own experiences, your own speaking style and tailor your message to what you know. Not many people want to hear others recite facts with no real meaning driving the story. Ask yourself, “Why does this matter to the audience and why should they care?”.

There is a lot of trust that can be built when the audience has a genuine connection to the presenter. Overall, if you have something that can solve a problem or teach someone complex things, that is enough to form a connection with your audience.

Think of the last app you used, the last email you read or perhaps the last business you purchased from. What was the content or visual elements that pulled you in?

Are you making a PowerPoint, Prezi or other form of visual presentation but it’s taking too much of your time? Enlist the help of Presentation Geeks and consider outsourcing your presentation design . Outsourcing your presentation slides allows you to free more of your time while still getting the results of an interesting presentation. You’ll have the support of expert slide designers who know what presentation visuals work and don’t work thanks to years of presentation feedback and background knowledge.

Color Design Tips For Presentation Slides

When designing your presentation, make sure you take into consideration the colors you’re using. We’ve listed a few background color combinations you might want to consider when developing the overall slide deck and the font to use.

Color Wheel Alignments:

Primary Colors: Red, yellow, blue

Secondary Colors: Green, orange, purple

Tertiary Colors: Yellow-orange, red-orange, red-purple, blue-purple, blue-green & yellow-green

Analogous Colors: These are any three colors which are side by side on a color wheel. (Think green, lime green, yellow)

Complementary Colors: These are colors that are directly opposite of a color wheel. (Think green vs. purple, red vs. blue)

Monochromatic Colors: This is when you use one color and various shades or hues of it. It works well for minimal looks.

Color moods:

Red/Orange/Yellow: Generally these convey a sense of energy, are warm colors and catch your attention. Yellow is a happy warm color on one end and red is very striking and can warn of danger, and symbolizes importance, passion and sometimes violence.

Blue/Purple/Green: These colors are calming, reserved, elegant and often used for corporate slides. Think of how indigo blue is used for many large corporate entities. Green often is branded with earth or medical brands. Purple often conveys a sense of royalty, money and creativity.

Use The Power Of Photography Or Video

Pictures and videos are great visuals to incorporate into any presentation. Remember the saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words”? Well, it’s true! Photos help visualize complex information. You’ll often come across a lot of photos in research presentations as they help the audience understand examples better.

They can also save you from having to put a thousand thoughts into the PowerPoint presentation slide!

The first tip we can give to make a great visual presentation is to choose all your photos before you start. This way you can keep the consistency of the images across your slide deck and make sure they’re somewhat alike in terms of composition, mood and brand.

Use free stock photos

You don’t have to take the photos or videos yourself.

There are plenty of free resources and web pages for stock photos online – Unsplash , Pexels , Pixabay , Free Range , Creative Commons and some photos from Freepik are free to use with some accreditation.

Effective photo use

Make sure you pick an image that will focus on the main theme of the slide. One image is usually enough if the image choice is very relevant to the slide. If you have multiple photos, avoid poor or loose placement of photos all over the slide. Try to use a grid or gallery placement and it will immediately enhance the layout of the slide.

If you pick great images, making presentations can be faster. Instead of having to create an elaborate template with multiple elements, a photo with a couple of bullet points can go a long way in terms of capturing attention and making your presentation slides look professional. This is true on any presentation design platform – whether its PowerPoint, Google Slides, etc.

You can also embed videos whether they’re located on your computer, YouTube, Vimeo or other major video streaming sites. If you’re feeling nervous about your presentation or have a complex message that would be hard to condense in one slide, a video is a dynamic way of conveying your message in any type of presentation.

The Typography You Use Matters

Typography is how you will arrange and present the words in your presentation. An audience can engage when text is readable, functional and works well with the other elements in the presentation. Fonts and sizing are a good place to start establishing the tone of your presentation.

Overview of Font Choices

Elegant fonts often denote a sense of luxury or lifestyle tone. Use script fonts sparingly, but as titles they immediately give this polished and high-end look. This should not be used as body text or something lengthy to read. Think about if you sent an email in that text – it would be tedious to read. However, maybe if it were a title or a way to name email, the choice may be more correct.

Corporate fonts often are traditional, serif fonts or clean sans serif fonts that evoke a sense of trust and a clear message. Think of the fonts Lato, Helvetica or Arial – they’re go-to fonts that are easy to read, and work across many systems. This is especially helpful if you are working across teams when creating content or having to approve the content, idea or visuals.

Of course, you can incorporate more stylistic or playful fonts if you want to give your presentation a personal feel. Much like the scripted font, when used sparingly but in large titles, this choice of font can be very effective at conveying a certain personality.

Adding Symbols & Icons To Your Presentation

You can consolidate information by using symbols or icons to direct your eye to information such as an arrow symbol. What if you used a symbol instead of a bullet point? Think of symbols as anchors for the eye to quickly find information. You can collect symbols off free stock sites or use the built-in ones in PowerPoint that are free to use!

Depending on if your presentation is formal or informal , you may also want to consider adding emojis! Emojis are fun ways to express different emotions and can help connect with a younger demographic.

Overall Branding, Tone of Voice & Consistency

Another tool you may have at your disposal is if your brand, business or company has brand guidelines. It will be the guide and compass to your presentation’s information that goes within it. By keeping consistent you can achieve a polished look even if it looks very simple.

Use your business voice to communicate ideas and set the tone for your presentation. Are you in an investment banking business and want people to rely on the information given to you? That would inform perhaps using blues and purples, which are calmer colors and a cleaner look. Are you an influencer who’s buying power and spending choices matter to your audience? Maybe choosing bright colors with personal touches will make the connection. Are you designing an innovative app? Maybe more interactive slides would do the trick.

Use these questions to make sure your text and tone is consistent as this is a foundation of a well articulated brand or personal identity.

Consistent Hierarchy

Visual hierarchy is how you will arrange objects and text in relation to one another to guide your user and not confuse the objects and how they should read them in your slides. Setting rules helps differentiate and prioritize what’s important in order.

Look at the difference between these two.

Snoop Dogg just launched a wine and it’s coming to Canada

Daily hive branded content | aug 11 2020, 6:30 am.

Australian winery 19 Crimes recently announced that its new Cali Red wine, created in collaboration with Entertainment Icon, entrepreneur, and hip-hop artist Snoop Dogg, will be hitting shelves across Canada later this summer.

The collaboration offers a refreshing take on celebrity partnerships as the apparent shared values and history between the brand and famous rapper make for a perfectly organic pairing.

Comment Name:

By browsing the site, you agree to the use of cookies on this website. see our user agreement for the use of cookies..

You can see a clear distinction in the example below:

Think of hierarchy of a form of narration or story structure. Your eye goes to the title, then to the subtitle, then to the body copy in a logical manner. Where the eye travels is one of those things we don’t think about often. But you can also utilize eye lines in photos. Is your subject in the photo looking left or right? Consider placing text to where your subject is looking and see how effectively your eye travels to that text.

We’ll look at hierarchy strictly as sizing of words for now, but note you can establish hierarchy with type, white space, alignment, etc. As a general rule of thumb, you should have consistent sizing for your Header (or title slide / slide title), your subtitles and your body text. That’s it! If the sizing in your PowerPoint is consistent, your words will look uniform and clean. Everything will be much easier to read and the eye will be trained to move each slide.

Don’t Forget Your Own Style

Also don’t forget to incorporate your own style and what kind of visuals you like. Even if your early visuals may seem simple, build up that design muscle with the basics and design techniques that look clean and consistent.

You’ll find as you design these basics, you’ll probably start noticing other visuals and things you like in other mediums and presentations. Keep a note or screenshot the presentation that inspired you. Create a mood-board that you can refer to in the future for quick idea inspiration. Copying gets a bad rap, but learning how to design something you like even if it’s a clone copy will teach you many things about design. Build a collection of images that informs everything you do: for your color scheme, your designs, the cadence of images, etc.

That being said, you can also use free stock websites like Freepik for some design layouts inspiration. Creative Market is a paid website but the site offers a ton of design inspiration. This site has design templates for what’s currently in and trending. You can subscribe to an email newsletter on either site to get bite sized design influence each day that goes straight to your inbox.

However, don’t be afraid to try something new!

Once you get to a level of comfortable designing, these new ideas will be much easier to execute with the technical knowledge you amassed when you started. You could even try using a new app to design your ideas to keep your knowledge fresh! (Keep in mind that most online apps like SlideShare use cookies to improve functionality and performance.)

Ask your friends or people at your organization to give you feedback and critique, as that’s also crucial to honing your design skills. The people around you also represent different audiences!

The above image looks boring, right?

That’s because there are no visual elements!

Powerful visual presentations can engage audiences psychologically with both the presentation itself and the energy of the presenter. By understanding a few universal design concepts, you can begin your journey creating wonderful visual presentations and becoming a better presenter ! Thanks for reading this blog post, tell us your tips in the comments below.

Author:  Content Team

Related posts.

FREE PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX.

Subscribe for free tips, resources, templates, ideas and more from our professional team of presentation designers.

We use essential cookies to make Venngage work. By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.

Manage Cookies

Cookies and similar technologies collect certain information about how you’re using our website. Some of them are essential, and without them you wouldn’t be able to use Venngage. But others are optional, and you get to choose whether we use them or not.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are always on, as they’re essential for making Venngage work, and making it safe. Without these cookies, services you’ve asked for can’t be provided.

Show cookie providers

• Google Login

Functionality Cookies

These cookies help us provide enhanced functionality and personalisation, and remember your settings. They may be set by us or by third party providers.

Performance Cookies

These cookies help us analyze how many people are using Venngage, where they come from and how they're using it. If you opt out of these cookies, we can’t get feedback to make Venngage better for you and all our users.

• Google Analytics

Targeting Cookies

These cookies are set by our advertising partners to track your activity and show you relevant Venngage ads on other sites as you browse the internet.

• Google Tag Manager
• Infographics
• Daily Infographics
• Popular Templates
• Accessibility
• Graphic Design
• Graphs and Charts
• Data Visualization
• Human Resources
• Beginner Guides

Blog Beginner Guides How To Make a Good Presentation [A Complete Guide]

How To Make a Good Presentation [A Complete Guide]

Written by: Krystle Wong Jul 20, 2023

A top-notch presentation possesses the power to drive action. From winning stakeholders over and conveying a powerful message to securing funding — your secret weapon lies within the realm of creating an effective presentation .  

Being an excellent presenter isn’t confined to the boardroom. Whether you’re delivering a presentation at work, pursuing an academic career, involved in a non-profit organization or even a student, nailing the presentation game is a game-changer.

In this article, I’ll cover the top qualities of compelling presentations and walk you through a step-by-step guide on how to give a good presentation. Here’s a little tip to kick things off: for a headstart, check out Venngage’s collection of free presentation templates . They are fully customizable, and the best part is you don’t need professional design skills to make them shine!

These valuable presentation tips cater to individuals from diverse professional backgrounds, encompassing business professionals, sales and marketing teams, educators, trainers, students, researchers, non-profit organizations, public speakers and presenters. 

No matter your field or role, these tips for presenting will equip you with the skills to deliver effective presentations that leave a lasting impression on any audience.

Click to jump ahead:

What are the 10 qualities of a good presentation?

Step-by-step guide on how to prepare an effective presentation, 9 effective techniques to deliver a memorable presentation, faqs on making a good presentation, how to create a presentation with venngage in 5 steps.

When it comes to giving an engaging presentation that leaves a lasting impression, it’s not just about the content — it’s also about how you deliver it. Wondering what makes a good presentation? Well, the best presentations I’ve seen consistently exhibit these 10 qualities:

1. Clear structure

No one likes to get lost in a maze of information. Organize your thoughts into a logical flow, complete with an introduction, main points and a solid conclusion. A structured presentation helps your audience follow along effortlessly, leaving them with a sense of satisfaction at the end.

Regardless of your presentation style , a quality presentation starts with a clear roadmap. Browse through Venngage’s template library and select a presentation template that aligns with your content and presentation goals. Here’s a good presentation example template with a logical layout that includes sections for the introduction, main points, supporting information and a conclusion: 

2. Engaging opening

Hook your audience right from the start with an attention-grabbing statement, a fascinating question or maybe even a captivating anecdote. Set the stage for a killer presentation!

The opening moments of your presentation hold immense power – check out these 15 ways to start a presentation to set the stage and captivate your audience.

3. Relevant content

Make sure your content aligns with their interests and needs. Your audience is there for a reason, and that’s to get valuable insights. Avoid fluff and get straight to the point, your audience will be genuinely excited.

4. Effective visual aids

Picture this: a slide with walls of text and tiny charts, yawn! Visual aids should be just that—aiding your presentation. Opt for clear and visually appealing slides, engaging images and informative charts that add value and help reinforce your message.

With Venngage, visualizing data takes no effort at all. You can import data from CSV or Google Sheets seamlessly and create stunning charts, graphs and icon stories effortlessly to showcase your data in a captivating and impactful way.

5. Clear and concise communication

Keep your language simple, and avoid jargon or complicated terms. Communicate your ideas clearly, so your audience can easily grasp and retain the information being conveyed. This can prevent confusion and enhance the overall effectiveness of the message. 

6. Engaging delivery

Spice up your presentation with a sprinkle of enthusiasm! Maintain eye contact, use expressive gestures and vary your tone of voice to keep your audience glued to the edge of their seats. A touch of charisma goes a long way!

7. Interaction and audience engagement

Turn your presentation into an interactive experience — encourage questions, foster discussions and maybe even throw in a fun activity. Engaged audiences are more likely to remember and embrace your message.

Transform your slides into an interactive presentation with Venngage’s dynamic features like pop-ups, clickable icons and animated elements. Engage your audience with interactive content that lets them explore and interact with your presentation for a truly immersive experience.

8. Effective storytelling

Who doesn’t love a good story? Weaving relevant anecdotes, case studies or even a personal story into your presentation can captivate your audience and create a lasting impact. Stories build connections and make your message memorable.

A great presentation background is also essential as it sets the tone, creates visual interest and reinforces your message. Enhance the overall aesthetics of your presentation with these 15 presentation background examples and captivate your audience’s attention.

9. Well-timed pacing

Pace your presentation thoughtfully with well-designed presentation slides, neither rushing through nor dragging it out. Respect your audience’s time and ensure you cover all the essential points without losing their interest.

10. Strong conclusion

Last impressions linger! Summarize your main points and leave your audience with a clear takeaway. End your presentation with a bang , a call to action or an inspiring thought that resonates long after the conclusion.

In-person presentations aside, acing a virtual presentation is of paramount importance in today’s digital world. Check out this guide to learn how you can adapt your in-person presentations into virtual presentations . 

Preparing an effective presentation starts with laying a strong foundation that goes beyond just creating slides and notes. One of the quickest and best ways to make a presentation would be with the help of a good presentation software . 

Otherwise, let me walk you to how to prepare for a presentation step by step and unlock the secrets of crafting a professional presentation that sets you apart.

1. Understand the audience and their needs

Before you dive into preparing your masterpiece, take a moment to get to know your target audience. Tailor your presentation to meet their needs and expectations , and you’ll have them hooked from the start!

2. Conduct thorough research on the topic

Time to hit the books (or the internet)! Don’t skimp on the research with your presentation materials — dive deep into the subject matter and gather valuable insights . The more you know, the more confident you’ll feel in delivering your presentation.

3. Organize the content with a clear structure

No one wants to stumble through a chaotic mess of information. Outline your presentation with a clear and logical flow. Start with a captivating introduction, follow up with main points that build on each other and wrap it up with a powerful conclusion that leaves a lasting impression.

Delivering an effective business presentation hinges on captivating your audience, and Venngage’s professionally designed business presentation templates are tailor-made for this purpose. With thoughtfully structured layouts, these templates enhance your message’s clarity and coherence, ensuring a memorable and engaging experience for your audience members.

Don’t want to build your presentation layout from scratch? pick from these 5 foolproof presentation layout ideas that won’t go wrong. 

4. Develop visually appealing and supportive visual aids

Spice up your presentation with eye-catching visuals! Create slides that complement your message, not overshadow it. Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words, but that doesn’t mean you need to overload your slides with text.

Well-chosen designs create a cohesive and professional look, capturing your audience’s attention and enhancing the overall effectiveness of your message. Here’s a list of carefully curated PowerPoint presentation templates and great background graphics that will significantly influence the visual appeal and engagement of your presentation.

5. Practice, practice and practice

Practice makes perfect — rehearse your presentation and arrive early to your presentation to help overcome stage fright. Familiarity with your material will boost your presentation skills and help you handle curveballs with ease.

6. Seek feedback and make necessary adjustments

Don’t be afraid to ask for help and seek feedback from friends and colleagues. Constructive criticism can help you identify blind spots and fine-tune your presentation to perfection.

With Venngage’s real-time collaboration feature , receiving feedback and editing your presentation is a seamless process. Group members can access and work on the presentation simultaneously and edit content side by side in real-time. Changes will be reflected immediately to the entire team, promoting seamless teamwork.

7. Prepare for potential technical or logistical issues

Prepare for the unexpected by checking your equipment, internet connection and any other potential hiccups. If you’re worried that you’ll miss out on any important points, you could always have note cards prepared. Remember to remain focused and rehearse potential answers to anticipated questions.

8. Fine-tune and polish your presentation

As the big day approaches, give your presentation one last shine. Review your talking points, practice how to present a presentation and make any final tweaks. Deep breaths — you’re on the brink of delivering a successful presentation!

In competitive environments, persuasive presentations set individuals and organizations apart. To brush up on your presentation skills, read these guides on how to make a persuasive presentation and tips to presenting effectively . 

Whether you’re an experienced presenter or a novice, the right techniques will let your presentation skills soar to new heights!

From public speaking hacks to interactive elements and storytelling prowess, these 9 effective presentation techniques will empower you to leave a lasting impression on your audience and make your presentations unforgettable.

1. Confidence and positive body language

Positive body language instantly captivates your audience, making them believe in your message as much as you do. Strengthen your stage presence and own that stage like it’s your second home! Stand tall, shoulders back and exude confidence. 

2. Eye contact with the audience

Break down that invisible barrier and connect with your audience through their eyes. Maintaining eye contact when giving a presentation builds trust and shows that you’re present and engaged with them.

3. Effective use of hand gestures and movement

A little movement goes a long way! Emphasize key points with purposeful gestures and don’t be afraid to walk around the stage. Your energy will be contagious!

4. Utilize storytelling techniques

Weave the magic of storytelling into your presentation. Share relatable anecdotes, inspiring success stories or even personal experiences that tug at the heartstrings of your audience. Adjust your pitch, pace and volume to match the emotions and intensity of the story. Varying your speaking voice adds depth and enhances your stage presence.

5. Incorporate multimedia elements

Spice up your presentation with a dash of visual pizzazz! Use slides, images and video clips to add depth and clarity to your message. Just remember, less is more—don’t overwhelm them with information overload. 

Turn your presentations into an interactive party! Involve your audience with questions, polls or group activities. When they actively participate, they become invested in your presentation’s success. Bring your design to life with animated elements. Venngage allows you to apply animations to icons, images and text to create dynamic and engaging visual content.

6. Utilize humor strategically

Laughter is the best medicine—and a fantastic presentation enhancer! A well-placed joke or lighthearted moment can break the ice and create a warm atmosphere , making your audience more receptive to your message.

7. Practice active listening and respond to feedback

Be attentive to your audience’s reactions and feedback. If they have questions or concerns, address them with genuine interest and respect. Your responsiveness builds rapport and shows that you genuinely care about their experience.

8. Apply the 10-20-30 rule

Apply the 10-20-30 presentation rule and keep it short, sweet and impactful! Stick to ten slides, deliver your presentation within 20 minutes and use a 30-point font to ensure clarity and focus. Less is more, and your audience will thank you for it!

9. Implement the 5-5-5 rule

Simplicity is key. Limit each slide to five bullet points, with only five words per bullet point and allow each slide to remain visible for about five seconds. This rule keeps your presentation concise and prevents information overload.

Simple presentations are more engaging because they are easier to follow. Summarize your presentations and keep them simple with Venngage’s gallery of simple presentation templates and ensure that your message is delivered effectively across your audience.

1. How to start a presentation?

To kick off your presentation effectively, begin with an attention-grabbing statement or a powerful quote. Introduce yourself, establish credibility and clearly state the purpose and relevance of your presentation.

2. How to end a presentation?

For a strong conclusion, summarize your talking points and key takeaways. End with a compelling call to action or a thought-provoking question and remember to thank your audience and invite any final questions or interactions.

3. How to make a presentation interactive?

To make your presentation interactive, encourage questions and discussion throughout your talk. Utilize multimedia elements like videos or images and consider including polls, quizzes or group activities to actively involve your audience.

In need of inspiration for your next presentation? I’ve got your back! Pick from these 120+ presentation ideas, topics and examples to get started. 

Creating a stunning presentation with Venngage is a breeze with our user-friendly drag-and-drop editor and professionally designed templates for all your communication needs. 

Here’s how to make a presentation in just 5 simple steps with the help of Venngage:

Step 1: Sign up for Venngage for free using your email, Gmail or Facebook account or simply log in to access your account. 

Step 2: Pick a design from our selection of free presentation templates (they’re all created by our expert in-house designers).

Step 3: Make the template your own by customizing it to fit your content and branding. With Venngage’s intuitive drag-and-drop editor, you can easily modify text, change colors and adjust the layout to create a unique and eye-catching design.

Step 4: Elevate your presentation by incorporating captivating visuals. You can upload your images or choose from Venngage’s vast library of high-quality photos, icons and illustrations. 

Step 5: Upgrade to a premium or business account to export your presentation in PDF and print it for in-person presentations or share it digitally for free!

By following these five simple steps, you’ll have a professionally designed and visually engaging presentation ready in no time. With Venngage’s user-friendly platform, your presentation is sure to make a lasting impression. So, let your creativity flow and get ready to shine in your next presentation!

Discover popular designs

Infographic maker

Brochure maker

White paper online

Newsletter creator

Flyer maker

Timeline maker

Letterhead maker

Mind map maker

Ebook maker

How to create visually appealing presentations

Start collaborating with Mural today

Ever found yourself staring at a blank page, overwhelmed by the thought of creating a presentation that grabs people’s attention? Whether you’re pitching a new product, sharing insights at a conference, or training a team, a visually appealing presentation can be the difference between applause and crickets.

Let’s review how to make a presentation visually appealing while still getting your main points across. We’ll cover everything from choosing the right tools to incorporating interactive elements that spark engagement.

What is a visual presentation?

A visual presentation is a way to share ideas using elements like slides, charts, graphs, and images. It combines spoken words with eye-catching visuals to make the message clearer and attract your audience's interest.

What makes a visual presentation stand out is the mix of:

• Relevance : Your visuals should link right back to your key message, helping the audience understand why what you’re sharing matters
• Simplicity : Keeping things clean and straightforward makes it easier for the audience to get your points without getting lost in too much detail
• Consistency : Sticking to a cohesive style throughout — like using the same colors and fonts — gives your presentation a refined look and keeps everyone focused on what you’re saying
• Design : Smart design choices like eye-catching layouts pull the audience in and keep everyone's attention

Visual presentation examples: Core elements

Imagine standing in front of a room full of potential clients, only to see their eyes glaze over as they sift through dense text and uninspiring graphics. But don’t get anxious just yet. By incorporating a few elements into your presentation, you can go from boring to extraordinary.

Consider adding these visual presentation examples to your next presentation:

Typically created with visual presentation tools, these help organize your points in an attractive way. You can use presentation slides in meetings, business pitches, workshops, and even to onboard new collaborators on your platforms.

Charts and graphs

These elements are great for breaking down complex data into easy-to-understand visuals, making information more accessible. Take advantage of an online diagram maker to present processes, create new workflows, and compare structures with ease.

Storytelling

Do you have a catchy topic? If not, grab a storytelling template and start by sketching out your narrative. Then, combine it with images, videos, and other visual elements to make your story compelling for the audience.

Related: Learn how to engage participants with immersive storytelling

Why are visuals important in presentations?

Incorporating visual aids in a presentation brings your message to life and keeps the audience alert from the very start — just like starting a day with a double espresso. By paying attention to the design of your presentation, you can:

• Improve engagement and understanding: Visuals help break down complex ideas and keep your audience interested. Instead of overwhelming them with text, well-chosen images, flowcharts , or infographics make your points clearer and easier to grasp.
• Elevate credibility: A well-designed presentation shows that you've put in the effort. When your slides look polished and cohesive, your audience is more likely to take your message seriously and trust the information you're sharing.
• Enhance persuasion: Visuals can also make your arguments more compelling, which is a great strategy for closing a deal or convincing managers in a tech pitch presentation . Whether you use data visuals to back up a claim or impactful numbers to show potential outcomes, your design choices can make or break the success of your pitch.

Related: Explore 12 tips for building stakeholder engagement

How to create a visual presentation: A guide

Research by Workamajig shows that nearly 90% of US workers face distractions at least once a day, with almost one out of four being interrupted more than six times during their workday. To prevent your audience from getting distracted by small talk or phone notifications, consider these visual tactics to save the day with a great presentation.

1. Understand your audience and purpose

Before starting to create a visual presentation, ask yourself:

• Who am I presenting to? Consider the participants' age group, background, interests, and level of knowledge on the topic.
• What is my goal? Are you trying to inform, persuade, or inspire your audience? Knowing your purpose will help you tailor your presentation accordingly.

Understanding these factors helps you map stakeholders and select design elements that align with your objectives and audience.

2. Use visual presentation tools and templates to streamline the creation

No need to start from scratch. Whiteboard tools offer ready-made templates that save you time while ensuring your presentation looks professional. Consider platforms that provide features like:

• Templates for planning your presentation faster
• Mind mapping capabilities to brainstorm and structure your ideas
• Sticky notes to cluster topics and create plot twists in the storytelling
• An online design canvas that allows you to add icons, images, GIFs, and other visuals

Related: 6 tips for storyboarding your entire presentation in under 10 minutes

3. Apply design principles

Design is all about creating balance and flow, so make sure to use principles that enhance those elements, such as:

• Contrast to highlight important information
• Alignment to create a tidy layout
• Bullet points to make your slides look clean and organized
• White space to avoid overwhelming the viewer

Robust design keeps your audience focused on your message and prevents your presentation from looking like a jumbled mess.

4. Use high-quality visuals

High-quality visuals add depth and dimension to your presentations. Communicate complex information quickly with:

• High-resolution images that grab immediate attention and evoke emotion
• Videos that show processes in action or highlight your products effectively
• Icons that convey ideas at a glance, making your content easier to digest
• Infographics that present numbers and data in a captivating way

Related: 3 tips for bringing imagination to your next meeting

5. Keep it simple and consistent

When it comes to presentations, less is often more. To draw in your audience from start to finish, consider these best practices:

• Focus on key messages : Highlight the main points you want your audience to remember, avoiding boring and unnecessary details
• Use visuals wisely : Stick to a few key colors, fonts, and layouts throughout to create a cohesive look
• Limit text : Keep your copy concise; you don't want people trying to decipher blocks of text, right?

Related: How Mural's product marketing team creates engaging, company-wide presentations

6. Incorporate interactive elements into the presentation

Adding interactive elements, like voting features, laser pointers, or real-time collaboration tools, can help get participants on board to co-create the visual presentation with you. It encourages them to share their thoughts and feedback right there, making your message stick even better.

Motivate your team, clients, or partners to participate by:

• Breaking the ice: Start with some fun ice breaker ideas to get everyone comfortable and involved
• Encouraging feedback: Ask participants to share their thoughts and questions throughout the presentation
• Following up: After the presentation, thank participants for their input and let them know how their feedback will be incorporated into the final version

Bring your visual presentation ideas to life with Mural

Ready to draft your visual presentation? With Mural , you gain a visual work platform that centralizes all aspects of your projects, from planning to the final presentation. 

The good news is that you don’t need to be a designer or a professional presenter to get the job done. You have plenty of features to make your presentation interesting and interactive, even from remote locations. Make your meetings, training sessions, pitches, and workshops much more fun with:

• Online whiteboard to whip up powerful presentations with images, icons, and other design elements that’ll wow your audience
• Ice breakers to kick things off and get your participants involved before you dive into talk
• Mural's library of templates to save you time and help you create visually stunning slides without the stress

‍ Get started with Mural for free and discover the best visual presentation tools to make your ideas pop.

Related blog posts

Related blog posts.

• SUGGESTED TOPICS
• The Magazine
• Newsletters
• Managing Yourself
• Managing Teams
• Work-life Balance
• The Big Idea
• Data & Visuals
• Case Selections
• HBR Learning
• Topic Feeds
• Account Settings
• Email Preferences

How to Make a “Good” Presentation “Great”

• Guy Kawasaki

Remember: Less is more.

A strong presentation is so much more than information pasted onto a series of slides with fancy backgrounds. Whether you’re pitching an idea, reporting market research, or sharing something else, a great presentation can give you a competitive advantage, and be a powerful tool when aiming to persuade, educate, or inspire others. Here are some unique elements that make a presentation stand out.

• Fonts: Sans Serif fonts such as Helvetica or Arial are preferred for their clean lines, which make them easy to digest at various sizes and distances. Limit the number of font styles to two: one for headings and another for body text, to avoid visual confusion or distractions.
• Colors: Colors can evoke emotions and highlight critical points, but their overuse can lead to a cluttered and confusing presentation. A limited palette of two to three main colors, complemented by a simple background, can help you draw attention to key elements without overwhelming the audience.
• Pictures: Pictures can communicate complex ideas quickly and memorably but choosing the right images is key. Images or pictures should be big (perhaps 20-25% of the page), bold, and have a clear purpose that complements the slide’s text.
• Layout: Don’t overcrowd your slides with too much information. When in doubt, adhere to the principle of simplicity, and aim for a clean and uncluttered layout with plenty of white space around text and images. Think phrases and bullets, not sentences.

As an intern or early career professional, chances are that you’ll be tasked with making or giving a presentation in the near future. Whether you’re pitching an idea, reporting market research, or sharing something else, a great presentation can give you a competitive advantage, and be a powerful tool when aiming to persuade, educate, or inspire others.

• Guy Kawasaki is the chief evangelist at Canva and was the former chief evangelist at Apple. Guy is the author of 16 books including Think Remarkable : 9 Paths to Transform Your Life and Make a Difference.

Partner Center

How to Make a Good PowerPoint Presentation: A Step-by-Step Guide

Author: Mehjabi Khan

Published 13 August 2024

Learn how to create engaging, clear, and visually appealing PowerPoint presentations with our step-by-step guide.

Understanding Your Audience and Purpose

Know your audience, define the purpose, planning your content, start with a brainstorm, create an outline.

• Introduction : Set the stage with an attention-grabbing opening, introduce your topic, and outline what you’ll cover.
• Body : Break your main topic into subtopics. Each slide should represent a single point or idea.
• Conclusion : Summarize the key points and provide a call to action or closing thoughts.

Research and Facts

Designing your slides, keep it simple, use high-quality images, consistent style, readable text, utilizing powerpoint features, smartart and charts, transitions and animations, speaker notes, rehearsing your presentation, practice makes perfect, time your presentation, delivering your presentation, engage with your audience, be prepared for technical issues, handle questions professionally, share on socials, create ppt using ai.

Just Enter Topic, Youtube URL, PDF, or Text to get a beautiful PPT in seconds. Use the bulb for AI suggestions.

How To Prepare For A Presentation (A 2024 Guide)

13 August 2024

How to Add Music to Powerpoint Presentation for All Slides

How to Generate Ideas for a Presentation (with example topics)

In an Impress Presentation, What is a Transition?

12 August 2024

The 7 Steps Selling Process Presentation

How to Make a Presentation on Any Topic (With Example Topics)

10 August 2024

PowerPoint Karaoke: Rules, Tips, and Free Slide Decks

Stunning presentations in seconds with AI

Install MagicSlides app now and start creating beautiful presentations. It's free!

Free AI PPT Tools

How to create visual presentations and eLearning

• Written by: Richard Goring
• Categories: PowerPoint design , Visual communication
• Comments: 4

Most presentations are a cascade of text-heavy Death-by-PowerPoint slides, while online learners suffer the torture of wading through page after page of brochures converted to click-through-eLearning. However you look at it, a wall of text doesn’t work to engage people or compel them to action, so it really can’t be effective. That’s why most people now recognize that using visuals is the way to go. But how do you create visual presentations and eLearning that works? We think there are six steps you need to follow.

Step 1. Understand the audience

To know how to make a presentation effective, you need to understand the person on the receiving end and also decide what you’re trying to achieve. Are you trying to inform the audience of something – i.e. give them information they don’t have and help them understand it. Or persuade them to do something or change their behaviour – i.e. convince the audience the reasons to act in a certain way are stronger than the reasons not to. (Selling is typically a subset of this).

And it’s worth noting that a lot of the time, when you’re trying to inform people of something as your primary objective, you’ll also need to do at least a little persuasion, to get them to believe that your information is valid, valuable, and worth acting upon. Likewise, if you’re persuading people, you need to inform your audience so that they understand enough to be able to buy into your ideas.

When informing, you should have a clear idea of what exactly you are trying to inform about, and note it down in a couple of words so that you can easily refer back to it throughout the process.

If you’re persuading people, the same thing applies, but more specifically, we find it most helpful to think about this in terms of how the audience will benefit. What’s in it for them?

The options are many and various, but something short and punchy helps you to focus your story on what’s important to your audience and will make the story worth listening to.

Step 2: Identify key message or story

Now you need to decide what information to present to your audience in order to achieve your goal. And assess how much your audience already know about the topic, so you don’t repeat unnecessarily.

Typically, anything you’re attempting to visualise into a visual presentation has a lot of detailed content with relatively little structure. So to help, we recommend you simplify down to the core message in a nicely structured way that’s easy to understand, which then helps you to pick out what detail is most important and how to bring everything together.

Then take the necessary pieces of information and organise them into a story that flows, so it’s easy to follow. Often the framework of Problem -> Solution -> Impact is a good one to follow.

• Problem sets up the context and shows why this is something people need to know and pay attention to. It helps to frame the rest of the story.
• Solution is the details of what happens, or how something works.
• Impact is the end result – that will often lead to the outcome that your audience will achieve.

Step 3: Identify key objects

The next job, within these short sentences, is to identify the objects that are crucial to telling the story.

Person, role, company – Typically these are physical things, like objects or people. You can easily spot some of these – any mention of people, groups of people, job roles, or companies, could be represented by a photo of someone, or a silhouette, or a logo.

Object, product – You may have things that aren’t people, but are still easily recognizable entities, like objects – a computer, a phone, a bicycle, a hippopotamus – or a product or service, which might be a little bit more abstract, like ‘consulting’ or ‘water treatment’ – but still a concept that you can easily put a label on. Pretty straightforward visually, you could use an icon if you just want to get across the idea of a deliverable, or a photo of the product, or a label of the product or service, or you might even have a logo for it, especially if it’s something fairly abstract.

Quote – If you want to show a direct quote from someone, try to keep it short and to the point. It should really speak for itself, which means you’re going to have to keep quiet and let the audience read it.

Location – Then you might have locations – a point on a map, like a city, or maybe a type of building, like a hospital or office tower, or it could be an office floor plan. It could be something more abstract like an objective or a target you’re aiming towards.

Data, measurable – And then you might be able to pick out some data, like figures, percentages, dates, costs, that sort of thing, or some kind of measurable quantity, which are similar but they’re more vague – concepts that you can quantify, but that don’t really have any ‘number’ attached to them – things like a level of risk, or confidence, or effort.

That’s a starter gallery of different types of key objects. What these things all have in common is that they can all be represented with some sort of visual device that can be easily recognized, so you don’t have to do too much explanation and the audience doesn’t spend too long trying to figure out what it is. You might be using pictures, or icons, or labels to represent these things to create your visual presentation, or they might make up part of a diagram, which is what we’re going to look at in the next part of the process.

Step 4: Establish relationships

Once you know what’s involved in the story, start to look at the relationships between each of the key objects, and how they interact, which will give you the layout of the slide, the framework, or the diagram. There are plenty of options, but there are a few reliable regulars that you can draw on.

First you’ve got your different types of graph , which will probably be the first choice if you’re showing data. You could make an XY graph , two axes, and the data might be bars or lines, or an XYZ graph that shows a three dimensional data set, which might shrink or stretch across the three axes.  A pie chart , to show proportions – this might be useful if you have percentages, as long as they all belong to the same category. Or you could have a Matrix arrangement, showing where elements are placed in different regions.

Then you’ve got a few ways of laying out elements that are distinct from one another. If you’ve got a sequence of dates in your information, a timeline might be a good choice, or if you haven’t you could just show a process diagram . You might just want to lay out the elements in a two dimensional space , or play around with the proportions to make a three dimensional scene , to add focus in on some elements and put others in the background. A hierarchy arrangement can show how elements are ranked in layers, useful for organization diagrams , or you could use a mind-map style layout to show connections between one big idea and a few other ideas that are linked up to it, or to each other.

A few other options for showing how things relate to one another might be a cluster or Venn diagram , to show connections or intersections between ideas, a jigsaw if you’ve got a number of things that fit together to form a larger picture, or just to get the idea across that a couple of things are well-suited to one another, and if you’re talking about a causal relationship, where one thing directly affects another, a balance diagram might work well, or a sequence that shows a push-pull relationship between two things.

This is a fairly small selection of the types of layouts you could come up with to create a visual presentation or eLearning, and a lot of slides might use two or more of these at once in order to get a complex idea across. To work out which ones to go for, you’ll have to look at your information and think about how you’d explain it, the order you’d point to your key objects, and how those key objects are related to one another. Crucially, you also have to think about the overarching message that the slide is supposed to be getting across, which you established in steps 1 and 2.

Step 5: Create visuals

Now is the time to bring everything together. The individual key objects that you’ve got, with the layouts that show the relationships between them. Think about the order you want the story to be told, which will inform the layout of your visual slides, but also the sequence in which you’ll want to use the individual elements. And animations are a real help here, as they can pace the flow of information and ensure that you keep the audience focused on the right thing at the right time. They can also be a key part of actually telling the story, to make things happen, change elements, and emphasize the relationships between your key objects.

So if you’re introducing new ideas you can add things onto the slide. If you’re simplifying a diagram or removing things you don’t need, you can remove . You can make things grow , or shrink to show changing amounts, or changing importance, and you can make things move around to new locations. If you want to combine elements together you can merge them into one, or connect them together. You can highlight something that’s especially important, for your key message, and show something being passed along from one person to another, or data being transferred. You can also change something into something else, by replacing it.

Again, there are countless examples of these, and you’ll probably want to use a few of them for each slide, but this should give you a few good ideas of ways to move your key objects around, change the relationships, and end up with the right kind of visual punchline. These things can all be done with native PowerPoint animation (and check our animation articles  and masterclass schedule for a lesson on animation if you’re not already a master at it!).

Step 6: Design

What you should have now is an idea or sketch of everything that’s going to happen on your slide to tell the story. You ‘just’ need to bring it to life and share your ideas. That’s not always an easy task, but if you check out this post by my colleague Bethany on some practical tips to achieve good presentation design , this post on some of our favorite websites for free design resources , and this one on presentation design in general, you’ll have a good head start. And of course the various PowerPoint tutorials and master classes are a wealth of information to help you out.

And if you’d like to see some examples of presentations that we’ve developed using these ideas, and then created in PowerPoint, you can draw inspiration from our presentation portfolio , showing you that pretty much anything is possible in PowerPoint.

Richard Goring

Related articles, how to create powerpoint templates that work.

• PowerPoint design

Without a proper PowerPoint template, presentations can be a bit of a mess. Here are the building blocks for developing a PowerPoint template that works!

Presentation design principles for better PowerPoint design

• PowerPoint design / PowerPoint productivity
• Comments: 17

By applying some key principles of presentation design, you can make your PowerPoint design really standout and deliver both a more ‘popping’, but also more effective presentation.

How to print multiple slides on one page

What’s the secret for how to print multiple PowerPoint slides on one page? We've got a few solutions up our sleeves, from simple and quick to completely custom!

Thank you very much, you are helping me to understand how to produce presentations so my students will want to see and learn from.

Great Estrella, lovely to hear that it’s working so well.

Its really helpful, thanks for providing such informative data in a unique way.

Just came across this while searching for Colour-Vision-Deficient-friendly PowerPoint tips. Aside from giving excellent advice, it’s wild that you’ve got graphics of what looks like Coronavirus in an article from 2017 – did you know something we didn’t 🙂 ?

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment.

Join the BrightCarbon mailing list for monthly invites and resources

I absolutely love this, thank you so much. I have shared your fabulous resources with many folks. Thanks for all the brilliant work you do! Michaela Butterworth State of Kansas

Mastering the Art of Visual Presentations (Tips and Techniques)

Last updated on October 29th, 2024

So, you’re gearing up for that big presentation and you want it to be more than just another snooze-fest with slides. You want it to be engaging, memorable, and downright impressive.

We’ve got some slick tips on how to create a visual presentation that’ll take your presentation game up a notch. Packed with presentation templates that are easily customizable, keep reading this blog post to learn the secret sauce behind crafting presentations that captivate, inform, and remain etched in the memory of your audience.

What is a Visual Presentation?

A visual presentation is a communication method that uses visual elements such as images, graphics, charts, slides, and other visual aids to convey information, ideas, or messages to an audience. Visual presentations aim to enhance comprehension, engagement, and the overall impact of the message through the strategic use of visuals. People remember what they see, making your point last longer in their heads.

Key Components of a Visual Presentation

• Images and Graphics : High-quality images and graphics can make your presentation visually appealing and help in illustrating complex ideas.
• Charts and Graphs : Data visualization simplifies complex information, making it easier to understand.
• Slides and Layout : A well-structured presentation with its layouts ensures a professional and cohesive look throughout your presentation.

14 Tips to Enhance Your Visual Presentations

1. employ visual metaphors.

Use images that symbolize your point to simplify complex ideas, such as a road map to show a journey towards a goal. Using metaphoric slides with visual metaphors you can present complex ideas in a simple and clear way.

2. Tell a Story with Data

Imagine dividing your slide into a 3×3 grid and placing your text and visuals at the intersection points or along the lines. You are applying what’s called Rule of Thirds . This simple tweak creates a balanced and visually pleasing layout.

3. Use the Rule of Thirds

Apply the art of storytelling for presentations and transform your data into relatable stories to bring your numbers to life and add a human touch.

4. Choose the Right Data Visualizations

Select appropriate charts and graphs for your data, such as bar charts for nominal data or histograms for interval-ratio data.

5. Create a Strong Closing Visual

End your presentation with a powerful visual, such as a stunning image, a memorable quote, or a call to action.

6. Develop a Visual Narrative

Arrange your slides in a way that tells a story, ensuring each slide flows into the next.

7. Show Before and After

Use before-and-after visuals to illustrate changes or improvements.

8. Include Interactive Elements

Incorporate quizzes, polls, or other interactive elements to engage your audience.

9. Use High-Quality Visuals

Ensure all images and graphics are high-resolution and relevant to your message. You can create your own graphics with AI, download them from stock images, or download free slide templates from websites like FPPT.

10. Use Visual Hierarchy

Use design principles like contrast, alignment, and proximity to emphasize key information.

11. Add Multimedia Elements

Include videos, subtle animations, or sounds to enhance your presentation. You can download animated PowerPoint templates and presentation slides with animations to save time instead of reinventing the wheel animating your own slides.

12. Engage the Audience

Encourage audience interaction through questions, polls, or interactive tools.

13. Incorporate Relatable Stories

Use personal anecdotes or case studies to illustrate your points.

14. Practice Effective Delivery

Present confidently, make eye contact, vary your tone and pace, and use gestures to engage your audience.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Visual Presentations

• Using Low-Quality Visuals : Ensure all visuals are high-resolution and clear. If you use PPT templates, only download high-quality presentation designs.
• Ignoring Design Consistency : Maintain consistent fonts, colors, and formatting throughout your presentation.
• Reading Directly from Slides : Use slides as visual aids, not as a script. Avoid reading the text of your slides, and instead practice your speech while using your slides as a visual aid only.
• Lack of Visual Hierarchy : Use size, color, and positioning to emphasize what’s most important.
• Overloading Slides with Text : Opt for concise sentences and bullet points to keep your slides simple.
• Overusing Animation : Use animations sparingly and with purpose. Apply subtle animations to your slides, to animate text, shapes and other elements without adding too much noise.
• Using Jargon and Complex Language : Keep language simple and clear.
• Neglecting Accessibility : Include alternative text and captions for images to make your slides accessible, ensure good color contrast, and provide captions for videos. There are accessibility options in PowerPoint that you can consider.
• Not Testing Interactive Elements : Test all interactive features beforehand to ensure they work seamlessly. Play your slideshow when you finish the design (press F5 in PowerPoint to start your presentation from the beginning ).

Visual Presentation FAQs

A visual presentation uses visual aids like slides, images, charts, and videos to convey information effectively.

Storytelling provides a narrative structure that engages the audience, making the information more relatable and memorable.

Visual presentations use visuals to convey information quickly, while written reports provide detailed information in a linear format.

Simplify complex data into charts and graphs, use clear labels and titles, and ensure visuals support key messages.

Include alt text for images, ensure good color contrast, use readable fonts, and provide transcripts or captions for multimedia content.

Choose visuals that align with your content and message, such as charts for data and images for illustrating concepts.

Focus on concise content, use engaging visuals, ensure clear audio, encourage interaction, and rehearse for smooth online delivery.

Select a color scheme that aligns with your content and brand, and choose readable fonts appropriate for your message.

Creating an engaging and memorable visual presentation is both an art and a science. By following these tips and techniques, you can elevate your presentation game and leave a lasting impact on your audience. Experiment, fine-tune your approach, and let your passion and expertise shine through in your presentations. With practice, you’ll not only build impressive presentations but also captivate and inform your audience — one slide at a time.

Feel free to experiment and fine-tune your approach, and let your passion and expertise shine through in your presentation. With practice, you’ll not only build presentations but also leave a lasting impact on your audience – one slide at a time.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Sign up to our newsletter

We will send you our curated collections to your email weekly. No spam, promise!

How to make a visually appealing presentation [Guide]

I was recently talking to a marketing director from a mid-sized tech company during a virtual meeting. She expressed frustration over the lack of visual appeal in their presentations. She admitted that while their data was solid, their slides just didn’t resonate with their audience. This sparked an interesting conversation about the importance of visual appeal in presentations, and it got me thinking—that many others might be facing the same challenge.

So, I decided to write this guide on how to make a visually appealing presentation . If you've ever struggled to create slides that captivate your audience, this is for you.

Why Does a Presentation Have to Be Visually Appealing?

Let’s start with the obvious question: why bother with visual appeal? Isn’t the content what really matters? The truth is, while content is king, the way it’s presented plays a crucial role in how well it’s received. A visually appealing presentation does more than just look good—it engages your audience, makes complex information easier to understand, and reinforces your key messages.

Imagine you’re sitting through a presentation filled with walls of text, clashing colors, and inconsistent fonts. Chances are, you’ll tune out before the speaker gets to their main point. On the other hand, a well-designed presentation grabs attention, holds it, and leaves a lasting impression. It’s the difference between a presentation that’s merely informative and one that’s impactful.

How to Make a Visually Appealing Presentation [Step-by-Step Guide]

Start with a clear structure.

Before diving into design, ensure your content is well-organized. A clear structure not only makes it easier for your audience to follow along but also sets the stage for effective visual design. Begin with an outline: introduction, key points, supporting details, and conclusion. Each slide should have a purpose, whether it’s to inform, persuade, or summarize.

Use Consistent and Professional Design Elements

Consistency is key to a visually appealing presentation. Use a cohesive color scheme that aligns with your brand identity. Choose fonts that are easy to read and consistent throughout the presentation. Avoid using too many font styles; stick to one for headings and another for body text. This helps create a polished and professional look.

Example : If you’re using a dark blue for your title slides, don’t suddenly switch to bright red halfway through. Consistency in color and typography helps to create a visually harmonious presentation.

Incorporate High-Quality Visuals

Visuals are the backbone of any engaging presentation. Instead of relying on text-heavy slides, use images, infographics, and icons to convey your message. High-quality visuals not only make your presentation more attractive but also help in breaking down complex information.

Example : In a sales presentation, instead of listing product features in bullet points, use a clean infographic that visually represents the benefits. This makes the slide more engaging and easier to understand at a glance.

Leverage White Space

White space, or negative space, refers to the empty areas around your design elements. Don’t overcrowd your slides with too much content. White space helps to create balance and allows your key points to stand out. It gives the audience’s eyes a place to rest, making your presentation more comfortable to view.

Tip : When in doubt, subtract rather than add. A cluttered slide overwhelms your audience and dilutes your message.

Focus on Visual Hierarchy

Visual hierarchy is the arrangement of elements in a way that guides the viewer’s eye to the most important information first. Use size, color, and placement to emphasize key points. Headlines should be larger and bolder than subheadings, and important figures should be highlighted in a contrasting color.

Example : If you want to emphasize a particular statistic, make it the largest element on the slide, and use a bold color that contrasts with the background.

Use Animations and Transitions Sparingly

Animations can add a dynamic touch to your presentation, but they should be used sparingly. Overuse can distract from your message and come across as unprofessional. Stick to simple transitions and subtle animations that enhance your content rather than overshadow it.

Tip : Use animations to reveal bullet points one by one or to transition smoothly between sections, keeping the audience focused on the content rather than the effects.

Align Everything Perfectly

Alignment is a simple yet effective way to make your slides look clean and organized. Ensure that text, images, and other elements are properly aligned. Misaligned elements can make your presentation look sloppy and unprofessional.

Example : Use gridlines or alignment tools in your presentation software to keep everything in order.

Content Considerations for Visual Appeal

While design is critical, don’t overlook the importance of well-crafted content. The visual appeal should complement your message, not overshadow it.

Keep Text Concise

Your slides should support your speech, not replace it. Keep text minimal and to the point. Use bullet points, short sentences, and keywords rather than paragraphs of text. The goal is to keep your audience engaged with what you’re saying, not reading.

Example : Instead of a paragraph explaining your company’s history, use a timeline with key milestones highlighted.

Use Visual Metaphors

Visual metaphors can make abstract concepts more relatable and easier to understand. For instance, use a lightbulb icon to represent an idea or a target icon to illustrate goals. This approach not only enhances visual appeal but also makes your message more memorable.

Tip : Choose metaphors that resonate with your audience and align with your overall theme.

Highlight Key Takeaways

Make sure your audience knows what’s most important. Use bold fonts, different colors, or icons to highlight key takeaways on each slide. This helps ensure that even if your audience misses some details, they’ll leave with the main points.

Example : If your presentation is about increasing sales, highlight the projected growth figures prominently.

Work with us

We specialize in crafting visually stunning presentations that resonate with audiences. If you’re looking for expert help to elevate your presentations, we’d love to work with you. Reach out to us through the contact section of our website, or schedule a consultation directly. Let’s make your next presentation a standout success.

Explore our presentation design agency

Related Posts

Visuals + Storytelling = Magical Presentations

Dynamic PowerPoint presentation [How & Why]

What is a visual presentation [Explained]