Wednesday always makes us want to ... break the pattern, disrupt the routine, and yes: think out of the box. This phrase, which is so intrinsic to design thinking and any form of strategic/creative strategizing, made us want to investigate its origins. Where did it...

In our last post, we defined and demonstrated what motion graphics are. In today's post, we're picking up where we left off. With music. Or rather, with how to make sound choices when picking audio clips from the vast repository of free sounds available online. Here's...

That's the question that's top of mind today. On this very blog, we've written about how infographics are one way to lighten data-heavy presentations. And while infographics are very much a part of a smart presenter's tool-kit, motion graphics currently rule. So...

In today's post we'd like to go to level 2 of our response to this question raised in our previous post: How different is "thinking like a designer" from "thinking like a business strategist"? Let's take a look at some of the divergences: One: Approach to...

Design thinking is more than a buzzword - it's a strategy that makes sense not only for designers of product and experience, but also for business presentations. Does that mean that presenters have to be designers? Not necessarily. The implications of applying "design...

You'll forgive us the word-play, once you read on! In our last post we mentioned three scenarios where expressive doesn't necessarily equate to effective ... unless the verbal-visual spiel is perfectly balanced. And while there are as many strategies to presenting as...

Does 'expressive' already suggest 'effective'? Not necessarily. After all, there are different kinds of "expressive" and expressiveness converts into effectiveness only when what you say/show connects directly with the target audience (TA) - resulting in the desired...

Ever wondered: What's the difference between a presentation and a deck?Is a "slide deck" the same as a "pitch deck"??Aren't Slide Deck and PPT synonymous??? If your answer is a (hesitant) "yes", don't worry, you're not alone. Others have obviously wondered along the...

While we're on the topic of animation, for this week, and because we love sharing, here are some insightful pointers on why animation adds impact and appeal to PPT presentations when done effectively! 1/ Effective Animation shows how things work Use animation and...

And no - we're not talking about a stage career here - simply about how to add a dramatic touch to your next PowerPoint Presentation - with a little hands-on animation. Here are two of our top reasons why animation makes sense: i) When you're presenting, marking the...

And no, we're not talking about video explainers - that's a whole different ball game, where designing and presenting a video can indeed save the day! In this post, we will direct your attention to a video on "how-to-save-your-PPT-presentation-as-a-video"! As you will...

And no - we're not talking about passport control! We're talking about ensuring that you do a thorough check of your PowerPoint presentation prior to sharing with colleagues and clients. First: fact-check In data-heavy presentations, it always pays to double-check all...

Traditional wisdom has it that the more text-heavy, the less engaging a presentation. Does that hold good when your audience is viewing your PPT on their mobiles, in a Zoom room with all videos off and everyone on mute except the presenter i.e. you? Experts have it...

Just as people-knowledge makes better presenters - especially in external communication - knowledge management (KM) is increasingly being acknowledged as a key for better internal communication. As we all know, PPT slides are a tried and tested medium for collating,...

Did you know that people absorb more in 20-minute chunks than in one uninterrupted session of 60 minutes? Or that if you have too many visual distractions - e.g. videos/graphics - then multi-channel engagement does not deliver 100%? If you didn't know - or simply...

Remember that old saying - "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread"? And wasn't it Heraclitus who said, "You can't step into the same river twice?" Well, there's truth in both: because the river is always changing as it flows; and because investors are nobody's...

So you've got a billion-dollar idea for a startup. Only hitch is that you need a billion dollars to get it up and running! Enter the fundraising pitchdeck - which could make or break your bid for the best. That's when we pitch in - not only by creating those kickass...

We found an in-depth online resource (on the subject that's on top of our minds this week) that we're delighted to share parts of below, with a big thank you to the *teaching genies* (Victor A. Matheson, Department of Economics and Business, Lake Forest College, IL,...

Have you noticed that the traditional way of presenting is invariably linear? On this blog, we've thought about organizing principles that play with chronological sequence and beyond. One often overlooked aspect of PPT presentations is the way in which hyperlinks can...

Have you thought about the things that should be actively avoided when making presentations? As a follow-up to our previous post on which business presentation phrases sound professional, here's a fab round-up on which phrases are best avoided!

Every industry has its own jargon, all the catch phrases, short forms and technical terms that are clear as crystal to the insiders but could very well seem like double-dutch to those not in the know! Overburdening any presentation with industry-specific jargon can be...

As professionals, we tend to take process as a given. Years of practice, application and successful output makes process so internalized and intuitive that sometimes it can be difficult to even articulate what those stages are. Luckily for all of us - established and...

From creating PivotTables for corporate presentations to tabling pivotal moments in corporate strategy - that's where our thought-flow has taken us today. (Because, the way we see it, the business of designing successful presentations is linked with the process of...

For some the middle of the week feels like a bump, a slump... For us, Wednesday is the pivotal day! The turning point to the week, with the satisfaction of well-begun is half-done, and the motivation of "let's max the moment" (so that there's no chance of a wasted...

Good morning, newness! Getting off to a fresh start often means brushing up on things we think we know... Here's a read on how presenters can - indeed must - find their own key to unlocking their best potential by understanding not just the "what" but also the who,...

On the last day of this year, we naturally think about closure. In the context of presentations, what's the role of that closing slide? Is it to say: "Thank you!"? (how often have YOU groaned when you saw this?)Is it to ask: "Any questions?" (how often did this lead...

Any guesses what AirBnB, Buzzfeed, and Canva might have in common? They all raised huge amounts of money thanks to power-packed pitch decks! AirBnB were able raise $20k in three months, Buzzfeed was able to raise over $240 million, and Canva raised $9 million with...

This is a question that might be top of mind - especially when so many of us have had travel plans turned upside down, and the only flights we might take without any stress are flights of imagination! We thought we'd turn this pause into an opportunity for learning...

It's that time of the year, when we all take stock - what were the highs and lows, what goals did we set, which ones were met, and so on and so forth! Today's post, though, is about the ifs and buts of using "stock footage" for business presentations and explainer...

In other words, gone are the days of the iron hand in the velvet glove! You can't bully anyone into paying attention to your presentation - nor can you wheedle, cajole or bribe them into believing what you say... Then how do you pull them in? Could it be the gentle...

We think so! And so do thinkers on this topic - right here, a brain-pick for you this Monday! Relevant for all of us - in every field! Happy reading.

Way back in January, we listed our picks of favorite design trends for 2021. As we head towards the wrap of this year, we thought we'd take a look at how some of those translated into concepts that are here to stay. The ones that we've been able to actualize and the...

Have you ever been at the receiving end of presentations where the speaker hems and haws, erms and uhs? Nothing underlines uneasiness and hesitation more than these awkward "fillers", these bumpy transitions from point to point or slide to slide. Which is why, today,...

Today, we thought we'd share an illuminating guide on how to be a better virtual presenter. It's from way back in 2016, but it's still spot-on in 2021... and we love it for the way it distills the essentials into 10 memorable reminders to the self.

Could successful presentations be as easy as 1-2-3? We believe so - if you know just which 3 steps you need to take! Read on as we outline them, each with a couple of suggestions: CAPTIVATE ATTENTION a) By telling a story This is a time-tested tactic - and these...

With interactivity becoming the staple of our online lives, it seems only natural that we should give a thought to how interactivity can be enhanced while making a PowerPoint presentation. Conferences in the brick-and-mortar world made it easier to involve the...

These days, preparing for a meeting is both simpler and more complex than before. Avoiding tiring commutes was one reason to rejoice in WFH! However, if you're wondering why working from home leaves you more tired than it should - and what you could do to alleviate...

For those who have the Monday morning blues, thinking about the week's demands, we thought we'd share two resources that cut through the clutter and cut to the chase, in answer to 2 simple questions: Q: Designing presentations for the web? A: Here's a how-to that can...

Online meetings have made screen-sharing a must. And while most of us are just happy to press ‘Share Screen’ – here are a few things that any able professional should keep in mind.

Thinking visually, experts say, is ideal for this digital age. And yet, it's an old and very powerful source of game-changing ideas, as this video shows us. While, in earlier posts, we've enjoyed thinking about the important role of images and the importance of...

Continuing the thread on multi-media, one of the easiest and most effective ways of adding a dynamic element to your presentation is to add in gifs. Having said that, it’s important to choose wisely and well. When you’re spoilt for choice, it helps to have a few handy...

In our post The A-Z of PPT, M was for both memorability and multimedia. The way we look at it, a great way to make a presentation memorable is to design it as a multimedia presentation. And if that seems complicated, relax. All it means is that your presentation...

In an early post on design, we wrote about the importance of color coordination when designing your slides. If you already have a design template to work within (as is the case with corporate presentations) the color options and grids are already decided for you,...

Teamwork always gives the best results, in most cases. Often for a meeting, you may be required to present along with your colleague, or in groups. These team presentations are crucial when you pitch your point across, as they would decide the fate of the deal or...

When you walk into a room as a presenter, it’s easy to feel as if you’re the central figure, however in reality, your audience is. It’s in their power to embrace or reject your ideas. You’re presenting because you need them to change their beliefs or behavior in some...

If you are not familiar with the 10/20/30 Rule of PowerPoint created way back in 2005 here’s how it goes: The most effective PowerPoint presentations should contain no more than 10 slides, last no longer than 20 minutes, and feature font no smaller than 30 points....

Imagine, you burnt the midnight oil and clocked countless hours working on a very important PowerPoint Presentation. You exit out of your presentation, grab a snack and after you return to your PC, you discover that your PowerPoint file is missing! Of course, the...

PowerPoint presentations can help you convey your message to your audience in the right way. However, while making a presentation you need to ensure that your presentation and information on the slides is to the point and concise. Hence, to help you nail your next...

Pictures in presentations is a powerful tool to help elevate your presentation design and keep your audience engaged. However, for a certain topic there are various pictures available and often you might get confused as to which picture to select. To help you with...

A handout can be defined as a piece of printed information that is provided, free of charge, especially to accompany a lecture or advertise something. Handouts are often considered a vital part in the corporate setting to tell more about your work to your client. Here...

GIFs are the happy medium between images and videos. A few years ago, using GIFs in presentations would have seemed quite unprofessional. However, with the emerging social media trends and the advancements in technology, using a GIF in your presentation is almost a...

Speaker Notes in PowerPoint help you remember important points such as key messages, stats or figures while you give your presentation. The speaker note section is generally at the bottom of your screen. You could use the speaker notes to add more information or...

Today’s generation is the internet generation. We live in a mobile- based culture where everyone from drivers to vegetable vendors now a days have mobiles. Various audience, for the sake of convenience prefer to have their presentations on their mobile devices. Having...

It is said that stories engage seven parts of the brain whereas facts and figures engage only two. However, these days for presentations, most people rely on facts and figures and do not involve stories. Maybe because facts and figures are to build more credibility....

When we come to give a presentation, our aim is to stand out. Nobody goes with the aim to blend into the crowd. But, when you turn on your laptop and project the same standard PPT with a standard Helvetica / Calibri / Times New Roman font, you’ve lost a valuable...

Have you ever been in that position – where you are giving a presentation / writing a report or even debating with a friend about something, and you feel compelled to talk at length, in an attempt to prove credibility or how much research we have done. While that...

If expert data presentation is the game, tables and charts are the game. Charts are what you use to add life to your numbers, show comparisons effectively and make the presentation make sense to even laypeople. Charts are of different types, and each type serves a...

Whether we do or don’t know too much about Powerpoint slides, one thing that people know universally is that the amount of text should be kept to a minimum. Gone are those slides with paragraphs and paragraphs of information, leaving the reader darting between...

Powerpoint presentations – the new language of ideas. Moving on from an age where ideas were communicated in small groups to people who knew the same language, had the same background and thought the same things, we are now in an age where ideas are communicated to...

In this generation, learning how to make presentations has been a journey. In going from paragraphs of text to images and text in bullet points, to learning how to use only the important text in presentations, and it all gets exciting the day you discover Smart Art....

If you’ve seen a designer’s report or presentation, you must have noticed one feature that sets them apart – iconography. Iconography is the use of visual images and symbols and interpretation of those. In reports and presentations, iconography is used to supplement...

No matter what line of work we are in, there is that air of mystery and awe when we look at someone in a flight, in a suit working on their laptop early in the morning. This person, very often, turns out to be a consultant. As consultants go, the crème de la crème of...

Lines evolve into space. Shape is a two-dimensional area confined by an actual line or implied line (an edge for example). In drawing shapes are created when the ends of lines are joined to enclose areas. There are two primary types of shapes we can use – Geometric...

Going further from Colour, Type and Lines, we come to Space as the fourth element of design. Spaces is important in most places. It helps create music, it helps in relationships and it even helps in public spaces. Lack of space creates noise. The same is true...

Now that we are moving forward with a base in colour and type, we focus on the next element of design that is lines. Lines are the simplest design tool with a lot of usefulness. • Lines help convey feelings, moods and can add strength to the presentation / artwork....

The second element of note in our “Design Elements” series is Type. Type design is something that can be intimidating to many, with complicated terminology like kerning, ascender, tail, baseline, leading, etc. to accompany it. Don’t worry, we’ll get there but first we...

Color is one of the most powerful and obvious elements we have at our disposal to produce good design. Here is a base to understand colour definitions: Hue – the descriptive name of the color. eg. Red, Green, Orange, Pink are all Hues. Primary Color – Red, Yellow and...

There is a common experience people face – you hear someone tell a long story, or say you are in a meeting and someone is on a long rant – and the minute it ends you have just one reaction. “So?” It’s that moment of bewilderment where your mind scrambles to understand...

As a designer or a design enthusiast, one of the most important aspects of the process of creation is to reference and to be inspired. For this inspiration, it is always a struggle to find a ever-flowing stream of content. Therefore, we bring to you a list of some of...

Clarity in speech is something we all aim for. Everybody wants to sound like a great orator when they speak, not just on stage but also to each other. Clear speech makes one sound refined, strong and pedigreed. One aspect of clear speech is not having filler words....

Time each slide according to the amount of information it has on it. Slides with few bullet points may take one minute and slides with more content may take more than five minutes. This way, you will know how much time you will take. Slides that have no multimedia and...

Every so often we have to send and edit files in different formats than the one we have. Therefore, we need to be able to convert files from one to another. Here is a step by step guide for PDF to PPT:   Open a file in Acrobat. Click on the Export PDF tool in the...

Google Slides can readily convert presentations in other formats to a Google Slides presentation format. That means that if you are asked to change or update a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation, for example, you can do it using Google Slides. Here is a step by step...

Making a good ppt is an art, and the principles of good design can be used to make your ppt look like a work of art. For this, we draw from Dieter Ram’s Ten Principles of “Good Design” 1. Good Design Is Innovative Don’t believe anybody who tells you the possibility...

The first question to answer here is to think about what information you want to convey. One should know that the presentation is what is important, and what you intend to convey. The slideshow is just one part of this equation, the focus should be on the information...

Try these 10 tips to get over your nervousness and to develop confidence while speaking. Be prepared Know that even experienced speakers get nervous, so expect nervousness before your presentation. Don’t force your jitters away. Accept them and turn them into energy...

There are various kinds of mediums that can be utilised when one makes presentations, but each come with certain benefits and ill-effects that we should account for to ensure the best possible presentation experience for our audience. 1. Lap visuals Pros of using lap...

Introductions have an important function but are often overlooked as boring speeches before the actual interesting information. Introductions are meant to create interest and zeal within the audience and have them build anticipation for the presentation to start Write...

To deliver an unforgettable and remarkable presentation, there are 3 skills that need to be acquired. You need to get CONFIDENCE, CONVICTION and ENTHUSIASM. These qualities will help your audience to engage with you during your presentation. Confidence The best way to...

Most speakers panic when asked questions and distastefully try their level best to avoid them. Unfortunately these tactics are often seen through by the audience and the speaker’s credibility is scrutinised and seen as an incapable presenter. These are obvious tactics...

No one complains when your presentation lettering information is too big but they will, and should if it is too small. Legibility is a big part of presentations. As the speaker, you are not expected to read out word-by-word every sentence in a paragraph- the audience...

Before big presentations, a great way to build confidence and practice lines is rehearsing several times. It may be time consuming and tedious but it is a great way to build confidence, smooth out any imperfections in your presentation and find mistakes. Step 1  Try...

- A great way to cover feelings of nervousness is to use humour. Letting your audience know you are nervous may not necessarily create a bad impression, it could endear you to them. - Humorous anecdotes and sharing personal experiences could help support your...

Imagine you are about to deliver a key piece of information during your presentation and suddenly the screen behind you goes blank- A speaker’s worst nightmare. To prevent this (including other mishaps like tripping over wires or losing audio) you should set up...

Your structure of your PowerPoint is important. It should have a flow of ideas and a narrative your audience can follow. Often, when creating PowerPoints you can get caught up in creating details and specifics for a slide which does not need it. While creating a...

Silence doesn’t always have to be uncomfortable or awkward. Use it to your advantage to create a strong impression. Overloading the audience with information and speaking fast may quicken the time spent on the presentation but it could affect the way information is...

Familiarise yourself with your presentation and practice multiple times beforehand. This way you will be prepared for questions and will be able to answer them calmly. Arrive before your audience and take your time to set up. Make sure you do a screen test, sound...

Simplify and do not complicate your designs. Remove unnecessary footnotes and chart sources. Ensure your information presented on screen or in your presentation is legible to the people sitting furthest away from you. Do not use colour for decorative purposes as it...

‘How long is this going to take?’ - a question that races through the audiences mind before the actual presentation starts.                                                                                                                                                 ...

The reason for putting together a PowerPoint presentation is to influence and make your audience believe in an idea that you have confidence in. Most people dislike sitting through PowerPoint presentations and may feel it’s a waste of time so you must give them an...

Respect your audience It is important to check your tone before speaking to a fellow audience member. It is unadvisable to speak down (or even up!) to a fellow audience member. Speaking respectfully to your audience builds relations and ultimately the presentations...

The most important thing to remember when using animations in PowerPoint is to keep it simple. While PowerPoint provides a lot of options for animating pictures, shapes, slides and more, over-using them can distract your audience and make your presentations look...

Bold text is trending and here’s why you need to dump the tiny text Using larger and bolder fonts emphasise content over aesthetic Simple looking and legible text is eye catching and appreciated by the audience Increases legibility Bold fonts encourage the audience to...

Formal presentations have become monotonous. Make a PowerPoints with a unique and different style to grab your audience’s attention. Make a PowerPoint that shows you value how your slides are presented. Pick a soft pastel colour theme and stick with it throughout. For...

Stick with the classics… here’s why you need to. With the surplus of new extravagant fonts and flashy images, animations and videos people tend to forget that less is more. Using over the top decorations and multimedia could distract your audience and you from the...

Learn the Pros and Cons of Microsoft’s biggest competitor. PowerPoint: This software is synonymous with ‘presentations.’ and is part of Microsoft's office suite. It is used widely by professionals all over the world. Pros PowerPoint’s best feature is its usability....

Sometimes the applications of certain colour combinations work well during PowerPoint presentations and can draw attention to important content aspects. Then there are colour combinations which make your presentation difficult to process. Colour correct your...

Illustrations are growing and are becoming increasingly popular in the world of design for a number of reasons. Here is why you need to incorporate illustrations into your presentation – Illustrations depict distinct ideas. When clearly drawn, they can convey thoughts...

Thoroughly research your point If you understand your material well then it will be easier to explain it to others. This way, answering doubts or queries will be much easier. Use humour Include relatable stories and jokes to explain points. It is often more effective...