It seems that the majority of graphic designers would rather have root canals than design a deck. Overall, they think PowerPoint sucks and that it's not possible to do great design using that software. So it came as no surprise that a graphic designer recently posted a way to avoid using PowerPoint … [Read more...] about I hate working in PowerPoint. Here’s a PDF instead.
How to make portraits look great in PowerPoint
To look their best, portraits (also known as "head shots") should all be about the same size on a slide. Usually, though, they're positioned and sized haphazardly, like this: Here we have huge Bob, followed by tiny Jill, then medium Gina. There's even someone lurking in the background behind … [Read more...] about How to make portraits look great in PowerPoint
How do I learn PowerPoint?
When I offer PowerPoint training, most of the time it's for people who already know how to use the software but who want to know more. What is good design? Where do I get photos to use in my presentations? Why do some colors go well together and others don't? How do I tell a story? These are the … [Read more...] about How do I learn PowerPoint?
How do you reward loyal customers? Not like this, I hope.
Marketing can be a tricky game. Everybody knows that advertising is designed to get people to spend money on products and services, so savvy companies supplement their advertising with relationship marketing. When a company works to establish good relationships, people are perfectly willing to … [Read more...] about How do you reward loyal customers? Not like this, I hope.
Some people will always cause Death by PowerPoint. Let them.
[box style="quote"]How can we convince the 80% of presenters who are not effectively using PowerPoint to stop using it?[/box] This question was posed to me recently by a Design Dispatch subscriber. We've all seen presenters who just don't get it. No matter what they might have heard about Death by … [Read more...] about Some people will always cause Death by PowerPoint. Let them.
How to show YouTube videos in PowerPoint
Whether it's to explain difficult concepts, provide an entertaining and informative break, or demonstrate processes, videos are a great way to add content and variety to a PowerPoint presentation. But showing videos isn't without risk. One of the readers of this blog told me about a pet peeve of … [Read more...] about How to show YouTube videos in PowerPoint
How do you tell a story in PowerPoint?
Storytelling is not a new way of communicating ideas. In fact, people have been telling stories since the beginning of recorded history. Why do stories like the tale of Gilgamesh, the fable of the fox and the grapes, and the saga of Jason and the Argonauts continue to be enjoyed today? Because … [Read more...] about How do you tell a story in PowerPoint?
What the Spartan Sprint taught me about presenting
On August 11, I participated in the Spartan Sprint, an obstacle course of a little more than three miles that test the limits of one's endurance. The Sprint is the entry-level race, and if you survive that you can graduate to the Super Spartan, attempt the Spartan Beast, or really indulge your … [Read more...] about What the Spartan Sprint taught me about presenting