Keep these straight forward tips in mind when you design your presentations to help tell your story ... beautifully.

Resources:

Haiku Deck Presentation Tips: https://haikudeck.com/p/IXPQ9thNi1

Presentation Tips from Gary Reynolds:
http://www.garrreynolds.com/preso-tips

Do not feel compelled to fill every areas on your slide with unnecessary graphics or text boxes that do not contribute to better understanding. The less clutter you have on your slide, the more powerful your visual message will become.

Design your presentation around one big, memorable idea.

That's not three key points per slide....it's three key points, period.

Unless, of course, your instructor wants you to do more (or less) than three points. Then go with your instructor's guidelines.

One idea per slide is really all your audience can absorb.

And you want that one idea to make an impact!

Remember, the presentation slides are meant to support the narration of the speaker, not make the speaker superfluous.

Do not use low resolution graphics, clip art, and limit any kind of animation.

Photography of people tends to help the audience connect with the slide on a more emotional level.

Adding a video and audio segment is an option if it helps you tell your story. When the media is integral to your idea, it can make a powerful statement. Just remember, focus on quality and ... less is more.

How much detail do you need to make your point?

There are so many choices for presenting data in graphic form. Consider your options, and choose the graphic with the most impact.

Less is More! Do not assume that more is better when it comes to presentations. You have a lot of choices when in comes to using applications to design presentation slides and posters. Avoid the extras ... focus simply on what is absolutely needed.

Did you notice how in this presentations, each tip appears in the same place on the slide?

Think about how your formatting can create a rhythm to aid comprehension.

{And don't forget to keep it simple.}

Did you know that the fonts you choose will communicate subtle messages with your audience?

This is why you should choose fonts very deliberately. And use the same font set throughout your entire slide presentation ... choose no more than two clean fonts, such as a contemporary san serif.

Also, make sure it can be read from the back of the room.

Practice, practice, practice!

It takes practice not to just read everything you're going to say right off your slides, but it's well worth the effort.

When your slides are there to reinforce and beautifully illustrate your ideas, you can engage with your audience in a more meaningful, authentic way.

{This is also a lot more fun for everybody.}