Improve Your Powerpoint Design

How to sharpen your graphic design skills using key principles and persuasive presentation techniques

What you'll learn

Improve your PowerPoint slide design using principles of design and powerful presentation techniques.

How to apply core design principles such as contrast, alignment, hierarchy, balance, and white space to create clear, engaging slides.

How other presentation focussed considerations such as animation, alignment, typography and visualisation can lead to better results.

How to apply this theoretical knowledge to useful slide layouts which will help your communicate ideas with greater clarity and confidence.

Requirements

Microsoft 365 recommended or PowerPoint 2010 / 2013 / 2016 / 2019

Description

In this course, you’ll explore essential design principles and learn how to apply them with clarity and purpose.The principles of design help make better slides by ensuring content is clear, engaging, and visually balanced. They guide how elements are arranged and styled, so slides are easier to understand and more impactful. For example:Contrast highlights key points and improves readability.Hierarchy directs attention to the most important information first.Balance and proximity group related elements logically, reducing visual clutter.Repetition creates consistency, reinforcing your message and brand.Each principle will be explained clearly using example slide designs followed by simple step by step walkthroughs.We'll also cover presentation specific considerations such as:Alignment to keep slides tidy and professional.Using typography to enhance readability and help convey the right tone or personality.How animations can enhance communication and engagement if used thoughtfully.Creating a colour scheme to create effective, professional, and visually appealing presentations.Ways to visualise your content because people understand and engage with visuals far better than with text alone.Together, these principles help audiences focus, follow, and remember your content more effectively.You will then use this knowledge to develop your graphic design skills to build persuasive and visually impactful slide layouts.Using practical examples, you'll see how these principles come to life in everyday design scenarios but asking questions such as:What are they trying to say?What can I simplify?How can I show this better?What grabs my attention?Will the audience remember my message?You'll explore best practices for structuring content, using whitespace effectively, choosing the right visuals, and creating slide decks that tell a compelling story. Techniques covered include converting bullet points to slide layouts using Smart Art, reducing on on screen content to to provide more impact, and grabbing attention with big figures and icons, We'll also show you how to make better tables, charts and maps, create timelines and visualise processes. Finally, we'll cover interaction and animation using the Slide Zoom, Morph Transition, links and highlighting techniques.Whether you're designing a pitch deck, a report, or a campaign presentation, this course will help your communicate ideas with greater clarity and confidence.

Overview

Section 1: Design Principles

Lecture 1 Contrast

Lecture 2 Balance

Lecture 3 Empahsis

Lecture 4 Hierarchy

Lecture 5 Proportion

Lecture 6 Repetition

Lecture 7 Variety/Unity

Lecture 8 Movement

Lecture 9 White Space

Section 2: Presentation Specific Considerations

Lecture 10 Typography

Lecture 11 Colour Schemes

Lecture 12 Alignment

Lecture 13 Animation

Lecture 14 Using The Screen Effectively

Lecture 15 Visualise Your Content

Section 3: Practical Examples

Lecture 16 Convert Bullets To Smart Art

Lecture 17 Use A Coloured Background

Lecture 18 Reduce On Screen Content

Lecture 19 Use Icons For Visual Appeal

Lecture 20 Grab Attention With Big Figures

Lecture 21 Use A Map For Geographic Data

Lecture 22 Using Logos To Make A Slide More Visual

Lecture 23 Using Questions To Engage The Audience

Lecture 24 Using Screen Space Effectively

Lecture 25 Create A Basic Infographic

Lecture 26 Visualise A Process

Lecture 27 Show Relative Values With Shapes

Lecture 28 Highlighting With Animation

Lecture 29 Engage With Well-Chosen Images

Lecture 30 Make Better Tables

Lecture 31 Enhance Bar Charts For More Clarity

Lecture 32 Using A Linear Timeline

Lecture 33 Add Interactivity With Slide Zoom

Lecture 34 Using A Journey Map

Lecture 35 Using Links For Interaction And Audience Participation

Professionals and business presenters who want to improve the clarity and impact of their slides.,Students and educators seeking to create more engaging and effective presentations.,Design beginners who want practical, easy-to-apply guidance on slide layout and visual communication.,Marketing, sales, and training teams who regularly build decks for clients or internal stakeholders.,Anyone frustrated with dull or cluttered slides and looking for simple, repeatable techniques to improve them fast.