PowerPoint: 10 Easy Slide Design Fixes

Key insights

• Ditch the default and start with a clean template.
  Change the color theme and pick custom fonts to create consistent visual tone using the Slide Master.
• Give each slide a distinct title that states one clear idea.
  Follow the 5-second rule so viewers grasp the main point quickly.
• Keep text short: use bullets or phrases, not full sentences.
  Apply the 6×6 rule (about six lines, six words max per line) and increase font size for readability.
• Simplify visuals: replace generic SmartArt with high-quality visuals and clear charts.
  Use built-in chart styles, label charts with slide titles, and remove unnecessary table clutter.
• Use layout tools and quick formatting for consistency.
  Turn on slide numbers, apply Quick Styles, align objects, and exploit white space to reduce clutter.
• Plan before you build: outline your message and add simple frameworks.
  Design slides to support your talk, not repeat it, and keep each slide focused on one takeaway.

Overview of the Video

The YouTube video from Presentation Process YouTube, presented by Arte and Ramgopal, outlines ten practical ways to make PowerPoint slides look professional. First, the hosts walk viewers through simple, repeatable changes that do not require advanced design skills. Then, they show before-and-after examples to emphasize how small edits can shift a slide from cluttered to clear without redoing the entire deck.

Moreover, the video follows a clear sequence with time-stamped tips, so viewers can jump to specific topics like color themes, fonts, charts, or slide numbering. The advice aims at business presenters who want immediate improvement, and the tone stays instructional and focused. Consequently, the guidance fits everyday workplace needs rather than heroic graphic design projects.

Core Design Principles

The presenters begin with the key idea to Ditch the default templates and adopt simple, consistent styles across slides. They argue that default themes often look generic and distract from content, so customizing headings and colors creates instant polish. In particular, they emphasize the 5-Second Rule, advising that each slide’s main idea should be graspable within a few seconds to keep audience attention.

Furthermore, they reinforce the value of white space and limited color palettes to avoid visual noise. While minimalism improves clarity, the presenters caution that extreme minimalism can hide nuance, so you must balance reduction with necessary detail. Thus, the tradeoff is between visual simplicity and the risk of under-informing your audience.

Typography and Layout

Font choices, sizes, and titles receive focused attention because readability determines how well the audience follows a presentation. The video recommends choosing custom fonts carefully and increasing font size, while noting that Microsoft suggests avoiding sizes under 18 pt for general readability. Likewise, presenters encourage clear, distinct slide titles so viewers can quickly locate and remember key points during and after the talk.

Still, adopting nonstandard fonts raises compatibility issues when sharing files, so the hosts suggest testing on multiple devices or embedding fonts when necessary. They also cover slide numbers as a small but effective navigation aid for Q&A and handouts. Therefore, you should weigh visual flair against practical concerns like portability and accessibility.

Charts, Diagrams, and Visuals

When it comes to data, the presenters advise to “ditch default diagrams” and simplify tables and charts to show only what matters. They demonstrate how using chart styles, removing unnecessary gridlines, and treating slide titles as chart titles improves comprehension. In addition, they recommend replacing generic SmartArt with custom visuals that communicate a single idea per graphic.

However, simplifying data visuals involves hard choices: reducing labels or detail can make a chart cleaner but may omit critical context. For example, trimming a table improves visual impact but might force you to provide supporting data verbally or in a separate handout. Thus, presenters encourage planning what to say alongside each visual to maintain accuracy while preserving clarity.

Workflow, Consistency, and Final Tips

The video highlights practical workflow tips like using the Slide Master to enforce consistent styles across a deck and applying Quick Styles to speed up formatting. They also stress avoiding long sentences on slides and instead using concise headlines and short bullets, sometimes referencing the familiar 6×6 rule to limit text. Moreover, the hosts recommend simple frameworks for structuring content so the narrative flows logically.

Nonetheless, relying on templates and automation comes with tradeoffs: templates enforce consistency but can stifle creative layouts when a complex idea needs a unique slide. Likewise, excessive automation might hide design mistakes if you apply styles without checking alignment or contrast. Consequently, the presenters advise a mix of template use and manual review to ensure both speed and quality.

Challenges and Balancing Choices

Throughout the video, Arte and Ramgopal emphasize practical tradeoffs: clarity versus completeness, speed versus customization, and polish versus compatibility. For instance, bold color themes and unique fonts can make slides memorable, but they may not render correctly on another computer. Therefore, presenters should test on common setups and prefer accessible color contrast and font choices.

In conclusion, the video offers a concise, actionable checklist for improving slide design with manageable steps that fit real-world constraints. By combining design principles with smart workflow choices, presenters can deliver clearer messages and stronger visual impact. Ultimately, the most successful approach balances aesthetic improvements with practical concerns like readability, device compatibility, and audience needs.

Related resources

• PowerPoint
• Microsoft 365
• Designer
• Power BI
• Visio

Keywords

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