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Presentation Jobs - Steve Jobs Methodology

Create presentations following Steve Jobs's legendary minimalist approach, centered on the "Billboard Test" (3-Second Rule) for maximum impact and audience retention.

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill whenever you need to create a presentation that:

• Launches a product or feature
• Pitches a business idea or proposal
• Explains complex concepts simply
• Delivers keynotes or important announcements
• Requires high audience engagement and retention

Core Workflow

Step 1: Understand the Request and Gather Information

Before creating the presentation, ask clarifying questions if needed:

Essential Information:

• Topic/Purpose: What is the presentation about? What's the main goal?
• Audience: Who will be viewing this? (executives, customers, team, investors, etc.)
• Key Message: What's the single most important takeaway?
• Duration: How long is the presentation? (helps determine slide count)
• Content Details: Any specific points, data, or stories to include?

Optional Information:

• Brand colors or visual preferences
• Existing materials to reference
• Specific examples or demos to showcase

If the user provides clear context, proceed directly to Step 2. Only ask questions when information is genuinely ambiguous or missing.

Step 2: Read the Steve Jobs Guidelines

MANDATORY: Before designing any slides, read the complete Steve Jobs guidelines:

Read references/jobs-guidelines.md

This file contains the essential principles you must follow:

• The Billboard Test (3-Second Rule)
• Cognitive load minimization
• Content minimalism guidelines
• Visual design standards
• The presenter's role

Step 2B: Apply Sentient Brand Guidelines

For every presentation, review the Sentient Brand Guidelines skill to apply the correct colors, typography, and logo usage:

Read sentient-brand-guidelines/skill.md

Key alignment points:

• Use Sentient.io-approved logo assets and placement rules.
• Apply the official color palette (Primary Red, Beige, Green, and supporting tones) and Nunito Sans/Noto Sans typography.
• Follow the spacing, contrast, and naming conventions detailed in the guidelines.

Step 3: Structure the Presentation

Apply the Steve Jobs 3-act storytelling structure:

Act 1: Setup (20-30% of slides)

• Hook the audience with a problem or opportunity
• Set context and create anticipation
• Example: "There are three products in one..."

Act 2: Confrontation (40-50% of slides)

• Introduce the solution/product/idea
• Demonstrate key features or concepts (one per slide)
• Use visuals and benefits, not just features
• Build emotional connection

Act 3: Resolution (20-30% of slides)

• Show the impact and transformation
• Call to action
• Memorable closing message

Default Slide Count: Target 10 slides maximum unless content complexity requires more. Quality over quantity.

Step 4: Design Each Slide (Following the 3-Second Rule)

For EVERY slide, strictly adhere to these principles from the guidelines:

Content Rules:

1. One idea per slide - If you have multiple ideas, create multiple slides
2. Minimal text - Use keywords and short phrases, never paragraphs
3. One number - If showing data, highlight only ONE statistic prominently
4. No bullet point overload - Use bullets sparingly; prefer visual hierarchy

Visual Rules:

1. Large, impactful visuals - One striking image that supports the message
2. Minimum 30-point font - This physically prevents overcrowding
3. Ample white space - Negative space is powerful, not wasted
4. High contrast - Light on dark or dark on light for maximum legibility

Slide Types to Use:

• Title slides: Large text with minimal supporting text (e.g., "iPhone" + "Apple reinvents the phone")
• Image slides: Full-bleed impactful image with minimal text overlay
• Number slides: One big statistic with context
• Comparison slides: Before/after or side-by-side visuals
• Demo slides: Visual showing the product/concept in action

Step 5: Create the Presentation Using PPTX Skill

MANDATORY: Always read the PPTX skill before generating presentations:

Read /mnt/skills/public/pptx/SKILL.md

Then create the presentation following both the PPTX skill's technical requirements AND the Steve Jobs design principles.

Key Integration Points:

• Use the PPTX skill's methods for creating slides
• Apply Jobs principles to ALL content and layout decisions
• Ensure visual hierarchy through font sizes (30pt minimum)
• Leverage white space in slide layouts
• Use high-contrast color schemes
• Keep text minimal on every slide

Step 6: Present the Deliverable

After creating the presentation:

1. Provide the PPTX file with a clear download link
2. Summarize the structure - Brief overview of the slide flow
3. Highlight the key message - Remind the user of the core takeaway
4. Presenter notes - Offer brief guidance on delivery:
   • The slides support YOU, not replace you
   • Practice until you can speak naturally without reading
   • Let the visuals amplify your spoken message
   • Embrace pauses and white space in delivery

Quality Checklist

Before finalizing, verify each slide passes these tests:

The 3-Second Test:

• Can the main point be grasped in 3-5 seconds?
• Is there only ONE core idea per slide?
• Would this work as a highway billboard?

Design Standards:

• Font size minimum 30 points?
• Ample white space around elements?
• High contrast for legibility?
• Large, impactful visual (not decorative clipart)?

Content Standards:

• Minimal text (keywords, not sentences)?
• Only one statistic if showing data?
• Bullets used sparingly or not at all?
• Presenter as storyteller, not reading slides?

Important Reminders

What This Skill Is:

• A methodology for creating minimalist, high-impact presentations
• Based on proven cognitive science principles
• Designed for live delivery with a presenter

What This Skill Is Not:

• Not for creating document-style slide decks meant to be read independently
• Not for comprehensive reports (recommend separate documents for those)
• Not for slides that replace the presenter

Hybrid Strategy: If the user needs both a live presentation AND detailed documentation, recommend creating:

1. A minimalist presentation (using this skill) for live delivery
2. A separate detailed document (using docx skill) for pre-reads or leave-behinds

Examples of Jobs-Style Slides

Product Launch:

• Slide 1: "iPhone" (large text, black background)
• Slide 2: "Apple reinvents the phone" (single line, image of iPhone)
• Slide 3: Three icons showing iPod + Phone + Internet
• Slide 4: "All in one device" with product image

Concept Explanation:

• Slide 1: Problem statement (one sentence + evocative image)
• Slide 2: "The Solution" (just those two words, large)
• Slide 3: Key benefit #1 (visual + 3-5 words)
• Slide 4: Key benefit #2 (visual + 3-5 words)
• Slide 5: "Imagine..." (showing the transformation)

Business Pitch:

• Slide 1: Hook - "What if..." (provocative question)
• Slide 2: Market opportunity (ONE big number)
• Slide 3: The problem (powerful image)
• Slide 4: Our solution (visual demo)
• Slide 5: Why now (timing/traction in visual form)

Best Practices

1. Start with the message, not the slides - Know your core story first
2. Embrace simplicity - Every element must earn its place
3. Test the 3-second rule - If you can't get it in 3 seconds, simplify
4. Use visuals emotionally - Images should evoke feeling, not just illustrate
5. Practice extensively - Minimalist slides require confident delivery
6. Remember: YOU are the presentation - Slides are your supporting cast

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Putting full sentences on slides ❌ Using bullet points as a crutch ❌ Multiple ideas competing on one slide ❌ Small font sizes (<30pt) ❌ Cluttered layouts with no white space ❌ Decorative images that don't support the message ❌ Reading the slides verbatim ❌ Treating slides like documents

References

• references/jobs-guidelines.md - Complete Steve Jobs 3-Second Rule guidelines (READ THIS FIRST)