This 3-minute gem illustrates the painful mistakes every presenter makes at one point in their PowerPoint presenting life. C’mon, admit it, you haven’t always achieved Presentation Zen…
What’s your example?
power point
White space
Let’s celebrate the spaces between…
Objects in a composition need to breathe. White space offers an airy canvas stage on which the parts of your design can freely dance. Just ask Mark Boulton, graphic designer and writer from the UK. Here’s my favorite part about Mark’s view on white space:
“Whitespace is often used to create a balanced, harmonious layout. One that just “feels” right. It can also take the reader on a journey through the design in the same way a photographer leaves “looking room” in a portrait shot by positioning the subject off the center of the frame and having them looking into the remaining space.”
Check out this slide show by Brand Autopsy to see some compelling use of white space.
Now, how can you use white space in your next design, web page, or thank you note to make a bold statement?
Looking forward to [the spaces between] your ideas,
Susan Hendrich
Tips & Tricks
Coming soon…
PowerPoint Tricks
Five tips for effective storyboarding
1. Set up your palettes
· Dock ‘em!
Align tool
Distribute tool
Order tool
· Use the “Relative to Slide.”
2. Stick with a shape
· Choose a “threaded shape” – a shape that will repeat throughout your course.
· Convert straggler shapes (e.g. go from a square to a circle) using “Change autoshape.”
· Float your text.
o Right click > Format Autoshape > Text Box > Text anchor point.
o Right click > Format Autoshape > Text Box > Internal margin.· Change shape sizes
o Hold “Shift” button to retain proportions when sizing.
o Hold “Control” button to retain center point when sizing.
o Right click > Format Autoshape > Text Box > Resize autoshape to fix text.
3. Provide a visual road map
· Carry your colors throughout.
· Repeat your formula (e.g. “Consider this,” “Quick summary,” “Up next”).
4. Keep it clean
· Break up busyness with shape and color.
· Use your “Set transparent color” tool.
· Use the “Format painter.”
5. Hang on to “good stuff”
· Add your “Color Chart” to all files, then delete at end.
· Repurpose, borrow, and expand!
Susan E. Hendrich 