How to design a good presentation

Are you struggling with designing a good presentation? Do you feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to start? Don’t worry; plenty of us have struggled with how to design a good PowerPoint (or Google Slides or Keynote) presentation. After all, creating a presentation that is engaging and effective requires a lot of planning and effort. Luckily, with the right techniques and tips, you can design a good presentation that will leave a lasting impact on your audience. In this post, we will explore how to design a good presentation.

1. Start with a clear objective

A slide that introduces a clear objective (answering the question "Why pay for QA when spreadsheets are free?") for the presentation, featuring an illustration of a woman presenting.

Before you start designing your presentation, it’s essential to have a clear objective. Ask yourself, what do you want to achieve with your presentation? Do you want to inform, persuade, or entertain your audience? Having a clear objective will help you structure your presentation and ensure that you stay on track throughout the presentation.

2. Keep your presentation simple

Slide example demonstrating clean text and formatting in black and white with a small punch of color.

If you’re wondering how to design a good presentation, the best advice is to keep it simple. Keep your slides clutter-free and use visuals to support your message. Don’t overload your audience with too much information or text; instead, focus on the key points. Use simple language and avoid technical jargon, unless you are presenting to a technical audience.

3. Use strong visuals in your presentation

Slide example demonstrating how strong visuals (illustrations of people shaking hands while framed by different computer windows) can support the idea a slide is trying to communicate (bridging the gap between employees and customers)

Visuals are an essential element of designing any good presentation. They help to break up the text and make your presentation more engaging. Use images, graphs, charts, and videos to support your message. Above all, make sure your presentation visuals are high quality and relevant to your message.

4. Choose the right font and color scheme

Collection of six colorfull slides demonstrating how the right font and color scheme helps create a dynamic presentation.

Choosing the right font and color scheme can make the difference between a good presentation and a great presentation. Use a font that is easy to read and avoid using too many fonts in one presentation. Stick to a color scheme that is consistent throughout your presentation (as well as consistent with your brand), and avoid using too many colors.

5. Practice your presentation

GIF of an Asana presentation demonstrating colorful slide transitions.

When it comes to delivering a good presentation, practice is essential . Take the time to hone your delivery, timing, and transitions. Rehearsing your presentation will help you identify any potential issues and ensure that you deliver your message effectively.

In conclusion, designing a good presentation requires careful planning and effort. You should:

  • Start with a clear objective
  • Keep it simple
  • Use strong visuals
  • Choose the right font and color scheme
  • Practice your delivery.

By following these tips, you’ll learn how to design a good presentation that will leave a lasting impact on your audience. Still struggling to create the presentation of your dreams? Consider enlisting the help of a professional presentation designer, like SketchDeck, to save time and stress without sacrificing quality.

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Ivy Croteau

Redefine what's possible with SketchDeck.

Redefine what’s possible
with SketchDeck.

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The sales presentation: guest blog by Jan Schultink
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