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Presentation design is half art and half science. While a strong understanding of PowerPoint is key to keep things running, it’s the visual embellishments that really make a PowerPoint design memorable. Just like any science, presentation designers must remain agile and move with new innovations in slide design. But just like any artist, it’s their prerogative to accept or reject trends based on whether they suit their own taste and needs.

Many presentation techniques have come and gone over the years. However, there are a handful of visual trends we’re confident are here to stay. More than just a passing fad, these visual elements elevate your PowerPoint design and leave a lasting impression on your audience. To help inspire your next slide deck, here are 8 presentation techniques you can easily start applying.

1. Clean and Minimalist Layouts

They say ‘less is more’ and this certainly rings true for slide design. Cluttered, chaotic slide layouts can dilute your brand message and confuse and overwhelm your audience. On the other hand, a simple and minimalistic layout allows you to draw attention to only the most important elements on your slide—which is generally your calls-to-action.

What’s more, a clean, sleek layout never really goes outdated. This means it will be just as effective a few years down the track as it is now. Of course, embracing minimalism on your presentation doesn’t necessarily have to mean using only black and white. For your purposes, it could mean limiting your palette to just two or three colors or avoiding large chunks of text on your slides. It’s all about being deliberate in your PowerPoint design choices and only using elements that serve a very specific purpose.

2. Dynamic Video Backgrounds

Video has come a long way with presentations. Now, moving visuals are everywhere—from our social media feeds and music streaming apps to even ads on train platforms! Video has also become increasingly popular in PowerPoint design too and for good reason. Using a full-page video background is an excellent visual storytelling tool. It immediately piques the user’s interest and draws them into the narrative of your brand.

There are many different ways you can incorporate video into your presentations. It can be used as a kind of dynamic slideshow. This can be an excellent choice for companies that want to show off multiple selling points for one thing in an easily digestible format. Video can also be used to show atmosphere (for example, of a destination, a workout class, or a cafe) or to show a product in action.

While the application of video will no doubt continue to evolve, one thing is for sure—it’s not going anywhere. By getting on the video bandwagon now, you can ensure you stand out and create a long-lasting impression on your audience. This is one of those PowerPoint design tips that will keep your audience engaged.

3. Animated Elements

Integrated animations are a great way to give your slides a more interactive experience. Animation can be incorporated into your slides in many different ways. Some savvy presenters opt to use animated ‘character’ illustrations to draw users into the story of the presentation or show how their products work. Others use particle backgrounds to add motion to their slides in a visually appealing way. 

These PowerPoint animation ideas can make your slides more dynamic and engaging. For example, you can use subtle animations to highlight key points or transitions between slides to keep your audience's attention. Remember, the key to effective PowerPoint animation ideas is to use them sparingly and ensure they enhance rather than distract from your message.

4. Modular Design

While modern presentation techniques are all about thinking outside the box, sometimes it’s okay to stay within its confines—literally! Otherwise known as modular design, the use of boxes to logically organize content has become a mainstay in presentations. 

On an aesthetic level, this visual trend is great for adding symmetry to your PowerPoint slides. It’s also particularly helpful for allowing audience members to easily compare and take in information at a glance. Accompanied by icons, the designer can use boxes to neatly communicate various services, products, or data points.

Modular design is also excellent for comparing a product with a competitor or laying out different price packages and options. Incorporating this PowerPoint design trend can make your slides look organized and professional, making it easier for your audience to digest the information.

5. Gradients

Once a staple of 90s corporate design, colorful gradients made a comeback in 2018 and it looks like they’re here to stay! Put simply, gradients are the gradual transition from one color to another, creating a blended effect. So, what makes them so “slidetastic” (yes, I just invented that word!)? Firstly, they add a vibrant pop of color to your presentation in a way that doesn’t feel overpowering. They’re also a great way to add extra visual depth to your slide design, as they create a dynamic, almost multi-dimensional effect.

The beauty of this PowerPoint design trend is how versatile it is. You can create gradients using similar colors such as blue or yellow, or create unexpected combinations using contrasting shades like purple and orange. You can reduce the opacity for a more muted effect, or use it at full intensity. You can also use it as a standalone element or as an overlay on a photo.

6. Illustrations

Whether it’s three-dimensional cartoons, abstract shapes, or animated graphics, illustrations are a fantastic alternative to static imagery on presentations. Firstly, as they’re less overused than stock imagery, they help set your brand apart from the masses. They’re also great for helping you explain abstract concepts, as they can be used in step-by-step diagrams or infographics

Illustrations are also helpful for giving your brand a more personalized, ‘human’ feel without relying on stock photos or photoshoots. These illustrations are a creative way to show—not tell—employees engaging with the platform, as well as communicating their brand value of diversity.

You don’t need to be a professional illustrator to use these eye-catching graphic elements in your presentation. Platforms like Freepik have a library of illustrations you can easily add to your own creations. Incorporating illustrations is one of those PowerPoint design tips that can make your presentation more engaging and visually appealing.

7. The Use of White Space

Sometimes, great design is as much about what you don’t include as what you do. This is why white space is one design trend that will never become obsolete. Otherwise known as negative space, white space is any empty or unused space on your slide.

Incorporating these blank spaces into your presentation helps to create a tidy and visually appealing slide. Your audience will feel they have room to breathe, as they aren’t being bombarded with too much visual and text. It’s also an indispensable tool for creating a seamless user experience as they move from one slide to the next. It helps to direct the user’s attention to where you want it to go and makes them more likely to absorb and recall the key information.

Your background doesn’t necessarily need to be white to use ‘white space’ in your designs. However, a plain white background can be a great place to start when it comes to creating that crisp, airy feel on your slide. This is one of the PowerPoint design tips that can significantly improve the readability and aesthetic appeal of your slides.

8. Bold Typography

While the background, images, and colors set the scene of your presentation design, it’s the typography that does the talking. When perfectly synchronized with the written content of your slide, it’s where your brand voice can really shine through. 

While brush scripts and handwritten fonts that have been the fonts du jour in web design in recent years, it’s uncertain whether these trends will stick around. But if you’re looking to create an expressive presentation that never goes out of style, you can’t go past big and bold typefaces. Whether it’s a sleek san-serif or chunky capitalized text, dramatic fonts are hard to ignore.

Incorporating bold typography is one of the PowerPoint design tips that can make your key messages stand out. Use large, bold fonts for headings and important points to ensure they catch your audience's attention and are easy to read, even from a distance.

Conclusion

While many presentation techniques come and go, these classic elements will stay relevant for a long time to come! By putting your own unique spin on them, you can create a presentation that stands out against the crowd and stands the test of time. Using these PowerPoint design tips and PowerPoint animation ideas, you can elevate your presentation game and captivate your audience.

FAQs

Q1: How can I make my PowerPoint presentations more engaging?

A1: Incorporating trends like dynamic video backgrounds, animated elements, and bold typography can make your presentations more engaging. Use these PowerPoint design tips to create visually appealing slides.

Q2: What are some good PowerPoint animation ideas?

A2: Some effective PowerPoint animation ideas include using subtle animations to highlight key points, particle backgrounds for visual interest, and animated illustrations to tell a story.

Q3: How can I effectively use white space in my presentation design?

A3: White space helps to create a tidy and visually appealing slide by giving your audience room to breathe. It directs attention to key elements and improves readability.

Q4: What are some trends in PowerPoint design?

A4: Trends in PowerPoint design include clean and minimalist layouts, dynamic video backgrounds, modular design, gradients, illustrations, and bold typography. These trends can enhance the visual appeal of your presentations.

Q5: How can modular design improve my presentations?

A5: Modular design organizes content logically, making it easier for the audience to compare and absorb information. It adds symmetry and a professional look to your slides.

Ready to elevate your presentations? Start incorporating these PowerPoint design tips and PowerPoint animation ideas into your next slide deck. If you found these presentation techniques helpful, share this blog with a friend who could benefit from these insights. Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more tips and updates on presentation design trends!

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