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How to Remix Clip Art

Using Clip Art in presentations is often frowned upon. However, what if I told you there was a way to “remix” free Clip Art into professional-looking images or icons for your presentations?

You might be thinking, “Why use Clip Art when there are numerous high-quality images available online?” While there are plenty of images on the internet, remixing Clip Art offers several distinct advantages:

1. Customizable Colors: Clip Art can be re-colored to match your presentation's theme, unlike most downloaded images which come in fixed colors.
2. Scalability: Clip Art can be resized without losing quality, unlike many internet images which can become pixelated when enlarged.
3. Editability: Clip Art can be edited, allowing you to modify or remove elements you don’t like. Most online images, unless in vector format, cannot be easily modified.

Let’s Get This Remix Party Started

In this post, I’ll walk you through a step-by-step tutorial on how to remix a piece of free Clip Art into an attractive icon using PowerPoint. This guide is especially helpful for those who aren’t professional designers but want to create impressive imagery for their presentations.

Remember, simplicity is key when creating icons. The process I describe took me about 1 minute and 30 seconds to complete. While it might take you a bit longer initially, you'll get faster with practice.

Note: This tutorial is designed for PowerPoint on Windows. The ability to break apart vector art is not available in PowerPoint 2008 for Macs or Keynote.

Remixing Clip Art to create professional-quality visuals for presentations is a valuable skill that can elevate the impact of your slides. PowerPoint, a popular tool for creating presentations, offers several features that make it possible to transform basic Clip Art into customized icons tailored to your presentation's theme. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you master the art of Clip Art remixing:

Step 1: Insert Clip Art and Resize It

Start by opening your PowerPoint presentation and navigating to the slide where you want to add the Clip Art. Click on the “Insert” tab in the toolbar at the top of PowerPoint, then select “Clip Art.” In the Clip Art task pane, enter your search term, such as "DJ," to find the Clip Art that best suits your needs. It's important to filter the Clip Art by selecting "Illustrations" and to ensure that the image is in the WMF (Windows Metafile) format. WMF files are vector-based, making them ideal for modification because they can be resized without losing quality. Once you've selected your Clip Art, click to insert it into your slide and resize it to fill the slide. This gives you a larger area to work with and makes the image easier to modify.

Step 2: Ungroup Your Image

After inserting and resizing the Clip Art, the next step is to ungroup the image. Grouping in PowerPoint means that all elements of the image are treated as a single object. Ungrouping allows you to work with individual elements within the image. To ungroup, right-click on the image and select “Group” from the context menu, then choose “Ungroup.” This action separates the elements of the image, allowing you to edit them individually.

Step 3: Delete Unwanted Elements

With the image ungrouped, you can now delete any parts of the image that are not needed. This step helps in simplifying the image and focusing on the elements that are relevant to your presentation. For instance, in a DJ-themed image, you might want to remove elements like a microphone or unwanted shadows to better suit your visual narrative. Select the parts of the image you wish to delete and press the delete key.

Step 4: Re-Color the Image

Re-coloring the Clip Art to match your presentation’s color scheme is a crucial step in making the visuals cohesive with the rest of your slides. Click on the elements you want to recolor, then choose the "Format" tab. From here, you can adjust the fill color, line color, and more to align with your presentation’s color palette.

Step 5: Modify the Image

One of the significant advantages of remixing Clip Art is the ability to modify it. Double-click on the part of the image you want to change to open the editing options. Select “Edit Shape” to reformat or reshape the element. For example, if the character’s nose is too pointy for your taste, you can adjust its shape to make it less prominent. This level of customization allows you to create unique visuals that better fit your presentation’s style and message.

Step 6: Add Final Color Edits

After making the initial changes, you may need to make final color adjustments to ensure that the image integrates seamlessly with your presentation’s overall design. This might include tweaking the brightness, contrast, or saturation to match the other elements on your slides.

Step 7: Regroup the Image

Once all necessary edits have been made, it’s time to regroup the elements into a single image. This step consolidates your modifications into one editable object. Right-click on the image and select “Group” again. This allows you to move or resize the entire image without altering individual elements.

Step 8: Resize the Image

With the image regrouped, resize it to fit the layout of your presentation slide. Ensure that the image size is appropriate for the slide’s dimensions and the content surrounding it. This ensures that the image is neither too large to overwhelm the slide nor too small to be overlooked.

Step 9: (Optional) Place the Image Inside a Shape

For added visual appeal, consider placing the edited image inside a shape. This can create a frame around your image, making it stand out. To do this, insert a shape like a circle, square, or any other shape around your image, and then send the shape to the back. This technique can help focus attention on the image and add a professional touch to your slide design.

By following these steps, you can transform basic Clip Art into customized icons that enhance the visual appeal and effectiveness of your presentations. This process not only improves the quality of your slides but also allows for greater creativity and personalization in your presentation materials.

Conclusion

French-Swiss film director Jean-Luc Godard once said, “It’s not where you take things from – it’s where you take them to.” Creating your own royalty-free Clip Art can yield impressive, custom-looking images and icons for your presentations.

A well-crafted icon or image can leave a lasting impression and help audiences remember key points in your presentation. While Clip Art in its original form may not always look appealing, a bit of “remixing” can transform these simple images into something sharp and professional.

Your Turn: Will you try remixing Clip Art for your future presentations? Share your thoughts and experiences below. If you know someone who could benefit from this technique, please share this post with them.

Do you have a presentation topic or PowerPoint tutorial you’d like us to cover in future blog posts? Post your questions in the comments below or send us a message through our Contact Page.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can I use Clip Art from PowerPoint for commercial presentations?

Yes, Clip Art from PowerPoint can be used in commercial presentations. However, it's important to modify the images to add originality and align with your brand's identity, especially if they are being used for promotional or public purposes.

Q2: What if I don’t have PowerPoint on my computer?

If you don’t have PowerPoint, you can use other presentation software that supports similar features, such as Google Slides or LibreOffice Impress. These programs may have different interfaces but generally offer similar functionalities for editing Clip Art.

Q3: Can I use Clip Art from PowerPoint on a Mac?

Yes, you can use Clipart on a Mac. However, some features like ungrouping WMF files might not be available in older versions of PowerPoint for Mac. Make sure your software is up-to-date to access all features.

Q4: How do I save my edited Clip Art for use in other presentations?

Once you have edited your Clip Art, you can save it as an image file (such as PNG or JPEG) to use in other presentations. To do this, right-click on the image, select "Save as Picture," and choose your preferred format.

Q5: Are there copyright issues with using Clip Art?

Clip Art from PowerPoint is generally free to use, but it's important to ensure that you have the right to modify and use the images, especially for commercial purposes. Always review the licensing agreements associated with the images you use.

Ready to enhance your presentations with custom Clip Art? Start remixing today! Follow our guide to transform basic Clip Art into professional visuals that captivate and engage your audience. Need more tips on presentation design or specific features? Check out our other blog posts and tutorials for comprehensive guides and innovative strategies. Don't forget to share your remix success stories or questions in the comments below, or reach out to us directly through our Contact Page. Let's elevate your presentation game together!

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