Before You Begin …

Alert!

Before you even start creating content, it is imperative that you answer each of the following questions about the topic and type of presentation you are about to create:

	Before you even start creating content, it is imperative that you answer each of the following questions about the topic and type of presentation you are about to create:

What is it you want to present?

W hat is the subject matter?

W ho is your audience?

Alert!

Next, you must consider the facility and how the material will be presented:

	Next, you must consider the facility and how the material will be presented:

Will you be projecting from your computer?

If so then you will use a template designed for onscreen presentations

Do you need to mix photographs with you presentation?

If so, it is easier to use a template designed for 35 mm slides and have your presentation “printed” as 35 mm slides. Then you can mix you presentation with your photographs.

Are you more comfortable with an overhead projector and transparencies?

If so then you will use a template designed for transparencies.

How dark will the room be?

If the room cannot be fully darkened, then templates with dark color backgrounds will not show up very well.

Will you need to turn the lights on and off during the presentation?

This should be minimized, it is very disruptive to the concentration and attention of your audience.

IF this is necessary, then consider not presenting using 35 mm slides or overhead projectors.

IF lights need to go on and off, then consider using projection that can be used in a fully lighted room and insert a “pause” slide at appropriate places in the presentation.

More on Templates

Alert!

A template is a predesigned layout defining the text styles and overall color scheme for a slide. Each template consists of a number of variations (layouts) for title slides, slides with text only (single column bulleted or two column bulleted), slides with text and graphics, slides with text and charts, etc.

There is a method to picking templates that is more than just “I like the looks of that one”. You need to think about both the content of the presentation as well as the environment.

Consider the following:

	A template is a predesigned layout defining the text styles and overall color scheme for a slide. Each template consists of a number of variations (layouts) for title slides, slides with text only (single column bulleted or two column bulleted), slides with text and graphics, slides with text and charts, etc. There is a method to picking templates that is more than just “I like the looks of that one”. You need to think about both the content of the presentation as well as the environment. Consider the following:

Blacks and other dark colors provide dramatic contrast and readability for situations where you want your audience to focus on your visuals. However, blacks and other dark colors tend to fade or “wash” in rooms where there is too much light.
A basic or neutral background is easy to look at for a long time, is best to use when you have complex graphics on your slides. A basic or neutral background is versatile and particularly useful in daylight and for short viewing distances
Templates with complex designs (e.g. patterns in the background) are best used for text-intensive presentations. If graphics must be used, follow the “KISS” principle (that is, “Keep It Simple Stupid”) and use compatible colors. Bold designs and color schemes stand out well even in a fully lit room.
Templates with warm colors, such are reds and golds, are stimulating and compelling. Textures in the backgrounds of these templates add interest and can convey a theme or mood without additional graphics. However, templates with warm colors can be tiring to look at for long periods of time, so it is best to use them for brief, fast-paced presentations in partially or fully lit rooms.

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