# 1096 Presentation Design 33da5791 > Presentation & Slide Design Guide - Skill: `tools-only/1096-presentation-design-33da5791` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 3 files) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tools-only/1096-presentation-design-33da5791` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tools-only/1096-presentation-design-33da5791/raw - Safety review: pending - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Docs & Writing - Author: tools-only (https://skillmd.com/u/tools-only) - Updated: 2026-09-22 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tools-only/1096-presentation-design-33da5791 --- # Presentation & Slide Design Guide ## Core Philosophy **Slides support the speaker — they don't replace the speaker.** Audience cannot read AND listen simultaneously. Choose one. --- ## Fundamental Rules ### One Idea Per Slide Each slide = single focused message. Benefits: - **Focus** — Easier for audience to concentrate - **Memory** — Key messages retained longer - **Learning** — Avoids cognitive overload ### Text Amount Rules | Rule | Guideline | |------|-----------| | **Rule of 4** | Max 4 bullets, 4 words each | | **6×6 Rule** | Max 6 lines, 6 words per line | | **7×7 Rule** | Max 7 lines, 7 words per line | **Best practice:** Use visuals, not text walls. --- ## Font Size Guidelines ### By Presentation Context | Context | Titles | Body Text | Captions | |---------|--------|-----------|----------| | **Large room (100+ people)** | 60pt+ | 40pt+ | 24pt+ | | **Medium room (20-50 people)** | 48pt+ | 36pt+ | 20pt+ | | **Small room/Virtual** | 44pt+ | 32pt+ | 18pt+ | | **Leave-behind document** | 36pt+ | 20pt+ | 12pt+ | ### Distance Rule No universal answer — depends on: - Room size - Screen size - Distance to furthest viewer **Test:** Can the back row read it? --- ## Visual Hierarchy in Slides ### Techniques 1. **Size** — Headlines larger than body 2. **Color** — Accent color for emphasis 3. **Position** — Top-left gets attention first (Z-pattern) 4. **White space** — Isolation = importance 5. **Contrast** — Stand out from background ### Reading Patterns **Z-Pattern** (most slides): ``` 1 ─────────────→ 2 ↘ 3 ─────────────→ 4 ``` Place key message at position 1 or 4 (start/end points). --- ## Slide Types & Templates ### Title Slide ``` ┌───────────────────────────────────┐ │ │ │ PRESENTATION TITLE │ │ ═══════════════════ │ │ Subtitle / Date │ │ │ │ Logo │ └───────────────────────────────────┘ ``` ### Content Slide ``` ┌───────────────────────────────────┐ │ Slide Title │ │ ════════════ │ │ │ │ • Point one │ │ • Point two │ │ • Point three │ │ │ └───────────────────────────────────┘ ``` ### Two-Column ``` ┌───────────────────────────────────┐ │ Slide Title │ │ │ │ Left Column │ Right Column │ │ • Item 1 │ [Image/Chart] │ │ • Item 2 │ │ │ • Item 3 │ │ └───────────────────────────────────┘ ``` ### Data/Chart Slide ``` ┌───────────────────────────────────┐ │ Key Finding (One Sentence) │ │ │ │ ┌────────────────────┐ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ [CHART/GRAPH] │ │ │ │ │ │ │ └────────────────────┘ │ │ │ │ Source: Citation │ └───────────────────────────────────┘ ``` --- ## Design Best Practices ### Do's - [ ] One message per slide - [ ] High contrast (4.5:1 minimum) - [ ] Consistent fonts/colors throughout - [ ] Use visuals > text for data - [ ] Leave breathing room (white space) - [ ] Test on target screen/projector ### Don'ts - [ ] Text walls - [ ] Reading slides aloud - [ ] Too many animations - [ ] Inconsistent styling - [ ] Low contrast text - [ ] Tiny fonts --- ## 2025 Trends | Trend | Description | When to Use | |-------|-------------|-------------| | **Dark mode** | Dark bg + neon/bright text | Modern, tech, creative | | **Minimalism** | One accent color, lots of space | Corporate, clean | | **Gradients** | Subtle color transitions | Creative, dynamic | | **Motion** | Micro-animations | Virtual presentations | | **Magazine layouts** | Asymmetric, editorial | Creative agencies | | **Mobile-first** | Vertical, large text | Hybrid meetings | --- ## Color for Slides ### Background Options | Type | Use Case | |------|----------| | **White/Light** | Classic, readable, print-friendly | | **Dark/Black** | Modern, reduces eye strain, virtual | | **Brand color** | Consistency, recognition | ### Text on Background | Background | Text Color | |------------|------------| | White | Black/Dark gray | | Black | White/Light colors | | Dark blue | White/Yellow | | Light gray | Black/Navy | **Rule:** Always check contrast ratio (4.5:1+) --- ## Data Visualization ### Chart Selection | Data Type | Best Chart | |-----------|------------| | Comparison | Bar chart | | Trend over time | Line chart | | Part of whole | Pie chart (max 5 segments) | | Relationship | Scatter plot | | Process | Flowchart | ### Data Presentation Tips 1. **Simplify** — Remove unnecessary gridlines, labels 2. **Highlight** — Use color to emphasize key data point 3. **Title = Insight** — "Sales grew 40%" not "Sales chart" 4. **Source** — Always cite data source --- ## Animation Guidelines ### Use Sparingly - Reveal content progressively (builds) - Guide attention - Show process/sequence ### Avoid - Flashy transitions between slides - Multiple animations per slide - Animations that distract from message ### Safe Animations - Fade in - Appear - Fly in (one direction) - Simple morph (PowerPoint) --- ## Cognitive Load Considerations ### Dual-Channel Theory Humans process visual and auditory separately. Don't: - Show text AND speak the same words - Require reading while listening ### Do Instead - Show image/chart → explain verbally - Show key word → elaborate verbally - Use progressive reveal ### Working Memory Limits - 4±1 items can be held at once - Chunk information - Use hierarchy to prioritize --- ## Presentation Checklist ### Before Presenting - [ ] All text readable from back of room? - [ ] Consistent styling throughout? - [ ] One idea per slide? - [ ] Data visualized, not tabled? - [ ] Animations purposeful and minimal? - [ ] Tested on actual screen/projector? - [ ] Backup copy available? ### Design Quality - [ ] High contrast (WCAG AA)? - [ ] Max 2-3 fonts? - [ ] Max 3-4 colors? - [ ] Aligned to grid? - [ ] White space adequate? - [ ] Key message obvious? --- ## Resources - **Research:** [Ten Simple Rules for Effective Slides](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8638955/) - **Contrast Checker:** [WebAIM](https://webaim.org/resources/contrastchecker/) - **Design Trends:** [24slides](https://24slides.com/presentbetter/best-presentation-design-trends)