Presentation Design: 20 Tips For PowerPoint, Keynote and Co.
How to create PowerPoint presentations that make you and your message look good
Presentation design
What makes a convincing presentation with presentation software? Here are some tips for presentation design with PowerPoint, Keynote and Co.
Overview

PowerPoint™, Keynote™ & Co.
The majority of PowerPoint presentations should be protected from laws such as those governing the misuse of narcotics. For a long time, the audience has to endure lengthy presentations with details that provide neither personal reference nor inspiration and certainly do not generate any positive emotions. Typical are tons of meaningless numbers, a lot of text, and boring theory. Overloaded slides dominate. Unprepared presenters cling to the bullet point. The interest of the audience is put to sleep!
Note:
PowerPoint from Microsoft™ is a widespread computer presentation program of Microsoft™. Another product for this purpose is Keynote™ from Apple™, and there are other programs or apps. Presentations can be created and accompanied by such programs.
Criticism
Presentation software is always under criticism. Like any tool, it can be used well and badly. Negative examples are usually based on the fact that no basic knowledge and skills were acquired to build presentations. Then the information is ruthlessly squeezed into the presentation slides.
PowerPoint is when someone works 4 hours, so he can show in 20 minutes what he could say in 5 minutes.
20 tips for presentation design and presentation
PowerPoint can be a powerful tool to support a presentation. But it can also cause the listener to fall asleep, called Death by PowerPoint. Or being misused to distract from the essential. Like any tool, it is the user who decides whether to use it wisely or not.
1. Keep your distance from the computer at the beginning
Do not start the presentation design with the presentation software. If you start right away with PowerPoint and Co., then you restrict your possibilities right from the start.
2. Bullet points
With enumerations, the creation of presentation slides is quick and easy. That’s why bullet points are so common. During the presentation, speakers orient themselves along with the keywords and think they can save time for proper preparations.
For the audience, this is no pleasure! Use bullets as sparingly as possible.
3. Use simple graphics
Graphics should be easy to understand. Complex images bind the audience’s attention for too long and reduce the speaker’s impact.
4. Each slide has a maximum of one core message
Stay concentrated and encourage your audience to do the same. Dedicate a maximum of one core message to each slide.
5. Do you have a beautiful logo?
It is great if you are proud of your logo. Just, please don’t overdo it. It is enough to have the logo on the first and last pages. The same applies to your domain and other contact details.
6. Visual gimmicks
It flickers and flutters, and every animation PowerPoint offers should be tried out? Don’t torture the eyes and nerves of your audience.
7. Embed fonts
If the presentation software allows it, embed your fonts in the file. Otherwise, impressive visual effects may occur during the presentation on a foreign system. They rarely support your message.
8. Keywords
Put keywords on your slides instead of worded text. Long texts tempt you to read them aloud, and the audience will do the same. This makes you superfluous or even disturbs the reading of the audience. And to be honest; how well can you read aloud, and would you like to experience this yourself as a participant in the audience?
9. Simple graphics or photos instead of lots of text
Visualize your messages in such a way that they can be understood quickly and clearly. A simple photo, a sketch underlining the statements of speakers are good.
10. Embed multimedia elements
It is safer to embed multimedia elements so that they also work during the presentation. What worked in the office can look completely different on another computer. Also, file often on the computer or server in the office and are inadvertently not taken along.
11. Standard quality
A large headline, about five bullet points and quickly set a nice picture next to it. Ready?
Most presentations with PowerPoint and Co. look similar. This quickly leads to fatigue in the audience. Those who design their slides more differently and appealingly attract and hold the attention of the audience.
12. Fonts
The choice of font is a statement. Beyond standard fonts, such as Times New Roman and Arial, there are worthwhile fonts to discover. In addition to readability, the message of the font also plays an important role. Please be careful with the number of fonts used.
13. Own hardware for the presentation
Preferably, use your trusted hardware for the presentation. Better be safe than sorry! Murphy is already waiting to be remembered.
14. Corporate design
Coordinate the presentation with the corporate design.
15. Graphic designers can be very helpful
Not everyone has the budget for first-class graphic designers. But they can do what only graphic designers can do: excellent design!
When it comes to a presentation, schedule support from graphic designers.
Note:
I’m not a graphic designer, so I’m always interested in recommendations of graphic designers. If you know someone …?
16. Presentation slides are aids
More is better? No, the saying “less is more” also comes true in presentations. With presentation software and presentation slides, the respective goal should be supported. Even the most beautiful slides should not replace the speaker’s presentation. Otherwise, the file could be sent by e-mail. Not every piece of information you want to convey should be found on the slides. The slides should not replace the presentation but underline it. Remember that the focus is on you as the speaker and your message, not your presentation slides.
17. Presentation slides as a handout
To save time, presentation slides are created in such a way that they serve as a handout. The opulent result then confuses the audience.
18. Printout
Murphy prefers to be seen where it is most spectacular because that is his nature. So: Print out your slides! The poor forest? Yes, that’s right, but it calms you down.
19. Media combinations
Even the best digital presentation slides can be supplemented with analog sketches completed on site. Reach for the pen in between and go to the flip chart. This will help you attract attention.
20. Emotions
Make sure that the desired emotions are also transported via the image protection presentation.
Preparing Important Speeches and Presentations
The Art of Effective Communication
Those who do not speak are not heard, and even those who do speak are not always successful. True success in communication requires mastering a few additional, critical steps to ensure your message resonates.
Make Your Message Shine
Do you want your message to be convincing and your personality to shine? I can help you prepare your speeches and presentations to achieve exactly that. Whether you need comprehensive guidance or just a few tweaks, you decide the level of support that fits your needs. At a minimum, I recommend a test run with professional feedback to fine-tune both your delivery and your content. This helps you understand how you and your message are perceived, identify what works well, and determine areas for improvement.
Why Wait for Feedback?
Why wait until after your real performance to receive valuable feedback, when it's too late to adjust? Early preparation is key. As the saying goes: 'Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.' With thorough preparation, you will not only feel more confident but will also be well-equipped to make a lasting impact.
Tailored Support to Fit Your Goals
You can decide where the effort is most worthwhile, based on the expected benefits. I offer support covering all areas of effective communication, including psychology, language, structure, voice, body language, storytelling, rhetorical techniques, and the use of media like PowerPoint. My goal is to help you deliver a well-rounded, impactful presentation.
Flexible Meeting Options
Not in Berlin? No problem. We can meet via telephone or video call. Of course, visiting Berlin can also be an enriching experience, and I am happy to welcome you here.
Overcome Stage Fright
Many people struggle with intense stage fright, which can cause their performance to fall short of its true potential. With my guidance, you can overcome these challenges and deliver your best possible performance. Together, we'll turn anxiety into confidence, ensuring that your message and personality shine through.
Professional Feedback: The Key to Impactful Presentations
How Impactful Are Your Presentations?
How effective are you in your speeches and presentations? Are your skills strong in the 111+ essential areas of impactful presenting?
Since 1998, I have analyzed countless speeches and presentations. This extensive experience—including learning from my own mistakes—has given me a deep understanding of what works for different audiences.
Get the feedback you need to excel. With my help, you will receive actionable recommendations and insights that will allow you to connect with your audience and deliver your message effectively, regardless of the context.
Ready to Improve?
Interested? Here’s how you can receive valuable feedback to enhance your speeches and presentations.
Contact Me for More Information
If you have specific questions or want to know more about how I can help, just ask me directly. For questions that might interest others, please feel free to post them in the comments section below.
Looking for Professional Support?
If you're interested in coaching, training, or consulting, have organizational questions, or would like to schedule an appointment, the best way to reach me is through this contact form (where you can choose whether to provide your personal data) or by email at mail@karstennoack.com. You can find the privacy policy here.
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Transparency is important to me. To help you get started, I've provided answers to frequently asked questions about myself (profile), the services I offer, fees, and the process of getting to know me. If you like what you see, I'd be delighted to work with you.
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The Opening of Your Pitch
The first few minutes of your pitch are critical. Carefully plan your opening, as these initial moments can make or break your presentation.
The Five-Finger Speech Structure: An Easy Way to Make Your Message Stick
The Five-Finger Speech Structure is a simple and powerful tool to help speakers effectively communicate their message, whether in planned or impromptu settings. It guides you through outlining the current situation, defining goals, planning implementation, highlighting benefits, and delivering a strong call to action.
The Art of Delivering a Speech: Why Reading Alone Won’t Cut It
Delivering a speech is more than just reading words off a page. It’s about making an authentic connection with your audience, leaving a lasting impression, and bringing the words to life with energy and enthusiasm. In this guide, we’ll explore why preparation and effective delivery are crucial to making your speech resonate.
Create an excellent speech or presentation as a masterpiece
Create an excellent speech or presentation. It will bring you forward as a presenter. Every speaker should make a brilliant speech at least once in his life. The effect goes far beyond the event because the experience becomes a mental reference. Such an experience will change you as a speaker. Create your rhetorical masterpiece. Here is how to do it.
Being right at all costs. The price we pay for needing to be right.
Persuading without arguments, assertiveness, winning without consideration, knockout by nasty tricks, black magic, manipulating. It is a coveted feeling to be right.
Worth the Effort: How Investing in Preparation Leads to Unforgettable Presentations
Discover the true value of a well-prepared presentation. Learn how investing in preparation can transform your presentations from average to unforgettable. This guide reveals actionable strategies to captivate your audience, including engaging storytelling, effective use of props, and meticulous practice. Whether you’re delivering a sales pitch, keynote, or boardroom presentation, find out how to make every moment count and leave a lasting impression
Structure for speeches and presentations: Take your audience from hell to heaven.
Do you offer a way to better conditions? It’s about promoting change? Whether products, processes, etc. Do you want to hold a public office?
I call this easy to use and very effective speech structure the “Hell-Heaven-Way”. If the conditions are untenable and there are solutions available, you can also use it outside the church to convince your audience.
20 tips for humor in speeches and presentations
Do you want the attention of your audience? Humorously move your audience before the seat hurts. Humor relaxes. It resolves tense, stressful situations. Humor has some positive effects. Appropriate humor can be used effectively in many situations. Find out what is worth paying attention to.
The first rule of rhetoric: Let us start with the basics of speaking.
Does everyone have to say something about everything? In my opinion, the most important rule of rhetoric and good communication style is that those who have nothing to say should shut up.
The ancient speech structure for your speeches and presentations
The ancient greek speech structure is probably the oldest structuring formula for speeches. It dates back to antiquity. And it still works today for speeches and presentations. Learn how to convince classically.
Freedom of speech, yes! Free speech comes with responsibilities.
Nobody can make you feel inferior without your permission. It sounds true, and it is true. And it is also not always right to hide behind that saying.
How to Structure Your Speeches and Presentations: Opening, Body, Conclusion
How do you organize your speeches and presentations? In this article, you will find the simplest structure already taught at the school level. It is still taught because it still works.

This article is a short excerpt from the more comprehensive course materials my clients receive in a group or individual training or coaching.
Published: February 3, 2007
Author: Karsten Noack
Revision: November 19th, 2024
Translation: ./.
German version: https://www.karstennoack.de/praesentationsfolien-praesentationsdesign/
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