PresentationPanda.com is now proudly owned by INK PPT. We aim to enrich and expand upon the valuable content previously provided by PresentationPanda.com. This blog will deliver even deeper insights, comprehensive guides, and innovative strategies to elevate your presentations to new heights.

Let’s get started!

Idea #1: The Icon Method – Icons Help Bring Boring Text to Life

Presentation slide example by Influencer PowerPoint Presentation Template When you’ve got a slide filled with nothing but boring text, icons can do wonders. Presentation icons do a great job of grabbing people’s attention and breaking up your text into a more digestible format.

There are many ways to display icons. The slide example above shows how to lay them out vertically with a few descriptive words next to each icon.

When working with icons, the key is making them look consistent. Notice how all of the icons in the example above look like they were created by the same designer. They actually belong to a presentation icon set which can be found here.

Idea #2: The Image Method – Images Help People Quickly Understand

Presentation slide example by Startup X PowerPoint Presentation Template Like icons, images allow an audience to immediately associate an idea with the text. As seen in the slide example above, an easy way to insert images is to place them horizontally with a little bit of text below each image. Doing this will make it easy for your audience to scan your information. It also makes your content much more memorable.

For extra credit, you may want to consider a combination of text and icons (like the example below).

Presentation slide example by Influencer PowerPoint Presentation Template

Idea #3: The Path Method – When You’re Presenting Direction and Flow

Presentation slide example by Influencer PowerPoint Presentation Template If you’re dealing with information that goes in sequential order, don’t throw a bunch of bullet points on the slide. Instead, consider displaying things in a journey type of layout (like the above example). A clear path will help guide your audience to form associations and inferences from direction and flow.

Idea #4: The Circular Graphic Method – When You Want to Show Parts of a Whole

Presentation slide example by HappyBiz Multipurpose Business Template A circular SmartArt type graphic is another excellent tool for laying out bullets, especially if the content forms parts of a whole idea or works together cyclically. This layout allows for plenty of active white space on the slide, increasing its consistency and readability.

If there are many parts of a whole, you may want to animate them so that they appear one at a time. This will help your audience from getting overwhelmed and can help them follow along as you talk about each part.

Again, if you’re going to insert icons or images into the graphic, like the ones seen in the above slide example, make sure to keep them all consistent.

Wondering how you can create a smart-looking graphic like the one seen above?

PowerPoint has a built-in SmartArt feature with different types of professional graphics. These illustrations combine shape, line, and text placeholders allowing presenters to show interdependencies of processes visually rather than through bullet points.

There are two ways to apply this PowerPoint hack. The first is to go to the Insert tab on the PowerPoint Ribbon, choose a SmartArt you like, and paste your content in the placeholders. The second and easier way is to copy all the text, right-click, select the Convert to SmartArt option (see screenshot below), and choose the graphic you like.

If all that sounds too much, simply head over to Graphic River and purchase a premade professional presentation template (like any of the slide examples seen in this article). It will save you tons of time, and your slides are guaranteed to look great.

Idea #5: The Random Method – When You Want to Display Text Without Order

Presentation slide example by Influencer PowerPoint Presentation Template If it doesn’t matter what order the bulleted information needs to be in, why not have some fun with it?! “Chunking” your bullets into shorter width blurbs makes them easier to read. Then spread the chunks out throughout the slide to make it fun and exciting.

This is a great way to show feedback in the form of testimonials (as seen in the example slide above).

Idea #6: The Grid Method – For Breaking Up Text Within a Nicely Structured Format

Presentation slide example by Motagua PowerPoint Presentation Template When you’re dealing with a somewhat text-heavy slide and are having a difficult time reducing the wording, consider a grid using some simple shapes (like seen in the slide example above). Choose the square shape from the Shapes menu, duplicate it several times to complete your layout, and then apply some contrasting colors to give the slide some pop.

Then, simply place a little bit of text inside the various shapes. As you can see, there is plenty of space within each shape to fit your text.

Do ensure that you have some breathing space in each grid. One way to do this is to alternate each shape with an image (like in the example above). The added visuals will also give the slide more impact and make it more memorable.

Idea #7: The Shape Method – A Great Way to Make Text Stand Out

Presentation slide example by Marketofy PowerPoint Presentation Template This presentation design style requires little to no visual element at all. All you need to do is insert some shapes (with strong color contrast to the background) that will serve as visual elements themselves.

Notice the slide example above, which places the content within four rectangular shapes (with a pointed end). As you can see in the above example, the strong contrast of the colored shapes against the white background looks great, and not a word was sacrificed in the process.

Idea #8: The Central Image Method – Using One Visual to Summarize the Main Idea

Presentation slide example by Influencer PowerPoint Presentation Template Another great way to fix a boring PowerPoint slide is by having one visual element that summarizes the main idea of the slide. You can divide the slide into title and text sections with a strong contrast. You may choose any image. However, we recommend using one that fills the entire second half of the slide (as seen in the example above) for maximum design impact.

Idea #9: The Split Method – A Great Way to Spread Out Text Within a Timeline

Presentation slide example by Startup X PowerPoint Presentation Template Much like a timeline, you can draw a straight line in the center of the slide and split the bullet points between the top and bottom sides of the line. This simple design is easy on the audience’s eye and looks professional at the same time. Notice how each piece of text in the example above has plenty of white space to breathe.

Idea #10: The Semi Circle Method – A Nice Way to Present Different Components to Your Audience

Presentation slide example by Influencer PowerPoint Presentation Template Semicircles or half circles look as powerful, if not more, than complete circles. They are perfect to present the different segments of your audience, departments, services, etc. Creating a semicircle in PowerPoint is not tough; dividing it into segments and giving a different color to each segment gets a bit finicky but I know you’re up for the challenge

Presentation slide example by Startup X PowerPoint Presentation Template

Conclusion

Effective presentation design is all about making your design complement your content. Sure, you could skip all the design and simply insert a line of bullet points. But we all know that looks incredibly boring and won’t help you excite your audience.

Remember, the trick to transforming a page full of boring bullets is to think visually.

So, here’s my question to you: After reading this article, which of these PowerPoint design ideas are you excited to try the most? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Lastly, do you have a friend that could benefit from learning about how to make a boring presentation interesting? If so, email them the link to this post.

Thanks for reading and be sure to share this article if you enjoyed it (by using the sharing buttons to the left).

FAQs

1. How can I make my PowerPoint slides more engaging? 

Incorporate visuals like icons and images to complement your text. Use design methods like the path method, circular graphics, and grids to organize content effectively and keep your audience engaged.

2. What is the best way to present information visually in a PowerPoint presentation? 

Utilize different graphic methods such as the central image method for summarizing ideas, the split method for timelines, and the semi-circle method for presenting different components. These methods help in visually organizing and emphasizing key points.

3. How do icons and images improve a PowerPoint presentation? 

Icons and images can break up text, making it more digestible and visually appealing. They help convey messages quickly and are more memorable than text alone.

4. Are there tools to help create professional PowerPoint presentations? 

Yes, PowerPoint’s built-in SmartArt feature and pre-designed templates available on platforms like Graphic River can be very helpful in creating professional presentations.

5. How often should I update my PowerPoint presentation designs? 

It's a good practice to update your presentation designs periodically to keep them fresh and engaging. Consider redesigning your slides with new templates or methods to maintain your audience's interest.

Ready to transform your presentations and captivate your audience? Start implementing these design strategies today to create compelling PowerPoint slides that leave a lasting impact. For more tips and detailed guides, explore our other articles and resources. Don’t forget to share this article with friends or colleagues who might benefit from these insights. Happy presenting!