presentation visuals ideas

40+ Creative Presentation Ideas to Captivate Your Audience

You want to make presentations that are captivating, not naptivating, right? Imagine pouring your heart into a presentation, but your audience is checking their phones. Sound familiar? 47% of presenters drown in design woes, spending more than 8 hours crafting slides. And the worst part is losing your audience’s attention within the first 10 minutes! Let’s break this cycle! Easy and creative presentation ideas can help you make exciting presentations quickly that will keep your audience glued from the first slide to the last. 

Try These Creative Presentation Ideas

• Appealing Illustrations: Use illustrations to clarify topics visually.
• Capsule Bars: Fill whitespace with stylish capsule shapes.
• Image Cropping: Crop images creatively for visual engagement.
• Vision Meets Value: Use bold imagery and text for marketing.
• Textured Backgrounds: Add unique textures to enhance appeal.
• Patterned Slides: Use unconventional patterns for background aesthetics.
• Transparent Fonts: Apply transparent fonts for modern cover slides.
• Transparent Overlays: Use transparent overlays for sophistication.
• Colorblocked Overlays: Create stylish slides with bold color blocks.
• Typography: Utilize quirky typography to captivate and inspire.
• Purposeful Visual Aids: Employ thematic icons for visual storytelling.
• Vertical Text Alignment: Align text creatively for visual appeal.
• Abstract Shapes: Use abstract shapes for originality and impact.
• Trending Shapes: Add trendy shapes for a lively presentation.
• Color Splashes: Incorporate vivid colors for eye-catching slides.

Explore more creative presentation ideas in the article to capture your audience’s attention.

In this blog, I will reveal presentation secrets (tips for interesting slides), my favorite creative ideas that anyone can try without sweat and worry, and a step-by-step guide to making an impactful presentation with a free design tool.

Table of Contents

How to make a presentation interesting, 40+ creative presentation ideas with templates for unique projects, how to make a creative presentation with dochipo.

To make a presentation engaging, start with an icebreaker to connect with your audience. Introduce storytelling to make it relatable and memorable for the attendees. Engage them with interactive polls, quizzes, and games, and encourage them to ask questions and share opinions to make them feel valued.

If you want to make visually exciting presentations, always keep the following tips in mind:

• Plan the flow: Ensure your presentation has a clear introduction, body, and conclusion and follows a logical sequence of ideas.
• Utilize the PREP method: Point, Reason, Example, Point, for effective communication.
• Choose legible and suitable fonts: Opt for professional and creative fonts that match your tone and audience.
• Maintain consistency with branding: Use consistent colors and fonts to build familiarity and trust.
• Include screenshots for interest: Enhance your presentation with real-life examples rather than stock photos.
• Opt for a background that enhances legibility: Choose patterns and textures in the backdrop to enhance visual impact and avoid clutter.
• Limit text lines: Use creative graphic elements and short text to convey messages effectively.
• Use visuals with emotional appeal: Incorporate design elements that evoke emotions for a more engaging presentation.
• Add high-quality images and oddball transitions: Exciting slideshows usually include attractive, high-quality images and cool, concise transitions per slide.

These are a few design tips that can help you create a top-notch, creative presentation. Now, let’s explore all the interesting presentation ideas that will leave your audience wanting more (and maybe even taking notes!).

Creative presentation ideas commonly contain these ten key themes: innovation, engagement, visual appeal, originality, storytelling, relevance, interaction, emotional connections, adaptability, and clarity. In this article, I will share over forty exciting ideas with unique presentation templates based on the best design practices mentioned above.

1. Creative Presentation Ideas with Appealing Illustrations

From infusing life into complex concepts to igniting imagination with every stroke, illustrations breathe fresh energy into your slideshow.

Get This Template and More

By adding this visually engaging creative element to your presentation, you can avoid cluttering your slides with text overload. Offbeat illustrations save more space and clarify the ongoing presentation topic without words. 

Guess what? You can get your audience hooked to your slides faster than a blink of an eye! So, skip the wordy explanations and let visuals do the talking. 

Watch the video to explore the exciting illustration categories of DocHipo.

2. Using Capsule Bars to Fill the Whitespace with Style

Up next is a business presentation theme with a twist. This unusual shape cleverly plays with white space, injecting a modern flair that’s bound to captivate your audience. 

Watch the video to use DocHipo’s exclusive shape library in your slideshows. 

3. Creative Image Cropping Technique for an Engaging Presentation

Have you tried images in your slideshows? Of course, using images in presentations has become widespread in today’s trend. But what’s unique is to crop those images in a particular shape to enhance the aesthetic allure of your design.

This business presentation is an absolute delight for keeping your audience engaged with this creative charm.

Watch this short video to understand the steps of cropping images into cool shapes.

4. Creative Presentation Idea Where Vision Meets Value

You’ll love the following marketing presentation template tailor-made for visionary minds searching for innovative presentation ideas.

It vividly portrays your company’s unwavering commitment to excellence in the competitive market through powerful imagery and bold, compelling text. From color consistency to message uniformity, the presentation is all about showing your valuable services and long-term visions most appropriately and memorably to your audience. 

The use of vibrant, pertinent stock photos in this template screams for applause, forging a strong emotional connection stemming from innovation and originality. 

5. Cool Presentation Ideas with Unique Textured Background

You can easily create an interesting presentation theme with unusual backgrounds. Take a look at these product-specific presentations.

Elevate your slideshow from ordinary to extraordinary with a touch of texture! Explore a world of relevant textures or try uniquely styled ones to infuse your slides with irresistible charm.

Instead of using the whole space for textured layers, you can add other visual elements, like creative icons and attractive pictures, to give every pixel a chance to pop in that exquisite backdrop.

6. Use Patterns for Simple, Stunning Slides

Dare to dazzle your audience with a unique background that breaks the mold! Here goes another creative presentation idea with irresistible background aesthetics. Try unconventional patterns that keep your eyes locked on the screen. 

Check this video to explore DocHipo’s exceptional background widget with countless creative options.

7. Use Transparent Fonts in Your Cover Slide 

Unveil the magic of transparency in your presentation! With a sleek and modern transparent font style, you don’t just speak to your clients – you bewitch them with your creativity. 

Pitch deck presentation must be concise, engaging, and bold as a reflection of your brand.  Hence, choose a font style that is professionally trendy for the title on your cover slide. 

Watch this short tutorial for applying transparent color in your design.

8. Creative Presentation with Transparent Overlays

If you want ideas about presentation that effortlessly showcase your creative brilliance, try the magic of transparent overlays! Transform your slide into a captivating masterpiece that blends sophistication with innovation. 

Elevate your message with a touch of transparency, and watch as the seamless fusion of style and substance spellbinds your audience. The best part is that you can change the level of transparency with the easy opacity control button. 

9. Colorblocked Overlays for a Unique Presentation Style

Overlays aren’t just beautiful with transparent effects! I love the following example, which is full of colors.

Colorblocked themes are trending these days for their sophisticated aesthetics. With bold hues and striking contrasts, watch your slides bloom, captivating your audience at every turn.

10. Don’t Be Typical with Typography

Typography isn’t just interesting – it’s your presentation’s voice, your story’s heartbeat, and your ideas’ personality. 

With the stroke of a quirky design element, you can captivate, intrigue, and inspire your audience. The gimmicky title on the marketing cover slide commands attention, while elegant fonts evoke brand identity. 

11. Creative Presentation Ideas with Purposeful Visual Aids

Let charming and relevant icons do the talking, painting a picture words simply can’t capture. 

Look at the above product presentation template; do you need an explanation of what this presentation is about? These delightful thematic icons are weaved in such a charming way that they grab all your attention while evoking the essence of the presentation.

Set the stage for intrigue and imagination, letting your visuals speak volumes even before your narrative begins.

Look at the flavorful food icons in the above template; a must-have flair that will make your audience savor the presentation.

Watch the short video to explore the trendy icon library of DocHipo.

12. Turn Your Clients into Your Stans with Vertical Text Alignment Design

So far, I have shared creative presentation ideas based on colors, fonts, and graphic elements that we can’t overlook in a design. Now, you will discover how a unique text style with customized line spacing and alignment can work as the spotlight for your presentation.

This delicious presentation of a food company is a visual treat with its brilliant text break techniques using text spacing and alignment. 

You can learn various alignment techniques from this short video tutorial.

13. Creative Presentation Cover Themed after Abstract Shapes 

As a presenter, you want your slideshow to stand out. That takes originality with innovation, and abstract shapes allow you to experiment with your style to convey multiple meanings within a single design.

The business presentation template uses a clean layout with abstract shapes in bold colors and limited text. This creates a sense of order and avoids overwhelming the viewer. You are bound to impress your clients with this unmatched versatility by using different shapes and colors in a single theme.

Check out the exclusive abstract shapes in DocHipo. 

14. Trending Shapes for Attractive Cover Slide

If you feel quirkiness is synonymous with creativity, you will love the next marketing presentation template.

These trendy shapes make your presentation more lively than ever. You can easily use them in your presentations from the DocHipo shapes library.

15. Use Splashes of Colors for Vividly Visual Presentation

Most marketers paint their fantasy art world based on the color wheel concept . Blue reigns as the color of success for 57% of small business owners , while green, white, black, orange, gray, purple, and yellow follow close behind. 

The above color-splashed marketing presentation template shows the effectiveness of shape psychology intertwined with different meanings of colors. This vivid color combination is eye-catching and energetic, immediately grabbing viewers’ attention.

16. Unique Presentation that Blends Image & Illustration

This presentation template merges the image with the illustration and brews something special. 

Imagine a clean canvas of warm beige, where bold text and a vibrant red coffee cup take center stage. But wait, there’s more! An elegant illustration adds a sprinkle of visual magic, transforming your product into a story waiting to be savored. 

You can use high-quality, free stock photos from the DocHipo gallery to customize your presentation templates in a mesmerizing way!

17. Creative Presentation Ideas with Hollow Shapes Where Less is More 

I will show the magic with hollow shapes in this category of creative presentation ideas.

You have seen unconventional and trendy shapes, and now check out how you can make your slideshows memorable by converting usual solid shapes into hollow masterpieces!

You can keep a generous amount of white space in your presentation and include dynamic shapes without cluttering your design canvas.

Watch this video to transform any solid shape into trendy hollow shapes in DocHipo.

18. Catch the Eye with Fancy Fonts 

Eye-catching fonts immediately grab the audience’s attention, drawing them into the presentation and making them more receptive to the content.

Custom or unique fonts can reinforce brand identity, helping to establish a memorable and cohesive visual identity for the presentation and the organization it represents. You can, too, use your choice of font style in presentations by uploading them to DocHipo, like the fancy display font in the above-mentioned product presentation template. 

Watch the following video for a short demonstration of uploading custom fonts in DocHipo.

19. Add QR Code for Interactive Presentation

Maintaining a continuous relationship with your client has become inevitable, and that starts with a smooth customer journey. The same goes for your pitch deck performance. Add a QR code for your digital assets or products in your presentation so your client can seamlessly view all the vital information.

Watch the short tutorial to learn how to generate your QR with a click.

20. Let Unconventional Capsules Highlight Your Services

Create a long-lasting impression with a unique way to present your data in your slides.

The above presentation template will keep viewers in the loop. It uses dark capsule bars to highlight important information with relevant icons in one space.

21. Creative Presentation Ideas with Unconventional Visual Callouts to Highlight Essential Information

Sometimes, graphical elements are used in presentations to draw attention to specific areas, points, or details. The next few presentation template examples capture the art of surprising visual callouts with unconventional shapes.

The above product presentation template with colorful hexagons and creative icons keeps your audience glued to your slide.

If you want unusual presentation ideas, you can use rounded blocks of hexagonal shapes to give a voice to your message. 

In addition, you can save more space with limited texts and appeal to the audience with a clean, minimalistic design.

Knock their socks off with semi-rounded square blocks for placing 4P’s of marketing. 

Check out this marketing presentation template with amazing abstract data bubbles. Now, say what you have to say with colorful, unusual visual callouts in different shapes and sizes.

22. Make Your Presentation Title Pop with Shadow Effects

Maximum clients pay attention to the cover slide of your pitch deck to give it a green light. So, never hesitate to be bold with text effects to highlight your project with a specific style.

Watch this video to add shadow effects on texts and design objects in DocHipo.

23. Modern and Simple Presentation Theme with Blobs and Squiggles 

Who doesn’t love a clean, modern design with simple and sophisticated aesthetics?

The above template, with trendy shapes like blobs and squiggles in a nude, cool color palate, naturally demands the crowd’s attention.

24. Ditch Regular Visualization with Dimensional Data Points Using Uncommon Shapes

Charts and visualization are integral parts of different types of business presentations. Nearly 12% of marketers frequently use charts as an essential visual asset. Therefore, you can present these vital data points with creative layers for more attention. 

This is a brilliant example of how easily you can turn a simple visualization into an engaging terrain using unconventional shapes like circles without compromising vital data. 

25. Creative Presentation Ideas with Never-Seen-Before Layouts 

You can include cool layouts in your list of interesting presentation ideas.

These never-seen-before layouts with unconventional, edgy shapes present your creative brilliance to your audience.

You can also add a dimensional layout with light and dark tones for fun ways to present information in your slides.

26. Cool Presentation Ideas with Creative Lines that Add an Extra Edge

Have you thought about using lines to emphasize your sophisticated aesthetics?

These templates provoke you to decorate your slides with soothing aesthetics by adding creative line styles. 

Watch the video to create similar cool designs with trendy lines.

27. Show Your Product Features with a Creative Combination of Images in Circle Frames

Product presentations ideas are tricky; the main thing in such presentations is how well you describe your product categories and their values.

This coffee-themed product presentation template shows how you can flex your product with eyeball-grabbing pictures inside bold, round frames. 

28. Interactive Storytelling with Overlapping Circle Stacks

Storytelling is an art. Moreover, it’s one of the common ideas for presentations to keep things interesting. 

Look at the overlapping circles; what you see are happy family stories that you want to live. You can easily create magic for your audience by painting picture-perfect moments in your slides. 

29. 360° Canvas of Creativity for Engaging Audience

Step into a world of immersive visual storytelling with a presentation that offers a 360-degree feast for the eyes. 

Dive into a sea of beautiful illustrations, dance with minimalistic abstract designs, and let the playfully professional font styles guide your journey. It’s not just a presentation; it’s an unforgettable experience waiting to captivate your audience and seal the deal.

30. Replace Your Regular Boring Bullet Points with Exciting Icons

Icons showcase your creative prowess, turning ideas into visual masterpieces with a single click.

Swap traditional bullets with icons to transform information into visually engaging nuggets, making your slides instantly more exciting.

31. Be Creative with Ornamental Shapes in Your Presentation

I have discussed usual and unconventional shapes, even solid and hollow ones. So, why exclude charming ornamental shapes from creative presentation ideas? 

Try beautiful ornamental shapes in Dochipo from the exclusive shape library. 

32. Creating Colorful Mind Maps for Interactive Presentation

Discover the power of creativity with colorful mind maps in your presentations!

As I have noted, by visually organizing ideas and concepts, these vibrant maps captivate audiences and enhance comprehension. 

33. Cool Presentations Idea with Bold Texts and Funky Icons for Attention

Inject a burst of personality into your presentations with a dynamic duo of bold font styles and funky icons! 

Together, they pack a punch, grabbing your audience’s attention and infusing your slides with energy and flair. 

Here goes another praise-worthy design technique in the above presentation example. It elevates its aesthetics with more white space and meaningful icons, leaving out the text-heavy mess. It maximizes your visual impact, effortlessly categorizing services and products without overwhelming your audience with redundant paragraphs.

34. Use Polaroid Frames to Grab the Attention of Your Audience

Is your presentation putting audiences to sleep? Polaroid frames are here to induce a dose of instant cool and creative flair!  

Like a snapshot in time, polaroid frames highlight vital points, forcing your audience to engage with each captured pristine moment.

35. Attention-Grabbing Playful Shapes for Exciting Aesthetics

Make iconic presentations with edgy combinations of exciting shapes to morph the design into a dynamic revelation!

As you can see, placing different kinds of shapes adds more impact to the overall design; keep this presentation idea on your checklist.

36. Checkmate with Blue and White for a Creative Presentation

Hungry for more creative ideas for your presentation? Go blue and white, breaking the norm of black-and-white checkered patterns! 

This template shows how to utilize white space with unique visual patterns.

37. Unveiling Product Categories with Block-Based Presentation

You can go really basic but still leave an exceptional impression with the following presentation slide. 

These square and rectangular blocks are perfect for highlighting your products. Moreover, surprise the crowd with attractive font pairings and bold colors inside these blocks, the real exceptions for your audience.  

38. Make a Dynamic Presentation with Live Maps

Transform your presentations from static to real-time visuals with the dynamic power of live maps. 

With live maps, you don’t just present information – you transport your viewers to new destinations, sparking curiosity and igniting their imagination. Bring your presentations to life and leave a lasting impression with the immersive experience of live maps.

 You can watch this video to use the live map feature in DocHipo.

39. Visualize Your Journey Through a Timeline

Timeline slides can captivate your audience with valuable historical information about your business. 

Let your project milestones unfold chronologically with subtle, sleek graphic elements like straight lines and multicolored solid circles that enthrall your audience. 

40. Color-Coded Communication with Subheadings that Pop

Let’s explore the polychromatic realm of presentation ideas. The following template design strictly paints the subject titles in graceful, bright colors to add your peaceful aura to the storytelling. 

Choose color combinations carefully to strike a chord with your audience.

41. Magnify the Moment with a Realistic Close-Up Product Display

Who doesn’t love a realistic product display in your presentation?

Besides, an up-close view of your striking product can instigate your audience’s desire to associate with your brand. 

If you want stunning close-range pictures to add more meaning to your slideshow, use the most convenient, free background remover to capture only what matters. 

Watch this video to learn more about DocHipo’s AI background remover.

Finally, try these exclusive ideas and end your anxiety about being creative in a presentation.

Take a breath because we have come a long way with so many themes and ideas for creative presentations. It’s time to take a short tour of DocHipo and see how easily you can customize these presentation templates to captivate your audience.

You can make an effective presentation in three prompt steps. First, sign up to DocHipo to try this design tool. 

Step 1: Find Your Creative Presentative Template

To find your desired presentation template, log in to DocHipo. In the search box, try three filters: format, industry, and occasion. 

Once you have selected the presentation option as your document, you will reach the presentation library of DocHipo.

Watch this video to find templates on DocHipo quickly.

This is where you will find all kinds of presentation templates for every purpose. 

Simply select your choice of template and start the creative process of customization. I will customize a stunning pitch deck presentation to show you how effortlessly you can try to give it a new look.

Step 2: Customize Your Template

Create your unique pitch deck presentation with uncomplicated customization tools. DocHipo’s extensive design widgets , mighty photo editor , and AI background remover keep things easy and accessible for your creative work. 

I will take the following template, modify its font style to suit my style, and turn it into an innovative slideshow without losing hours. 

To change the text’s current font, select the text and go to the font library, where you can choose the font style that matches your needs.

This is the final design after this smooth customization journey.

Step 3: Download the Design

After all your customization experiments, hit the three dots to get the download button. You can download it for free without any watermark in your desired format.

Watch this short video for a quick demo of page-wise downloads. 

Finally, revitalize your boring slides with the creative presentation ideas found in this article. Join DocHipo for free today and unlock exclusive templates that save time and inject unparalleled creative authenticity into your designs. It’s time to transform boredom into brilliance!

What can make presentation boring?

Presentations can become boring due to the overloaded text or data, the absence of visual appeal, and the poor presentation flow. 

How do you make a boring presentation interesting?

To make a boring presentation interesting, find creative ways to present a topic with engaging visuals and adapt to storytelling and interactive elements like polls and Q&A sessions. Keep your delivery style enthusiastic and humorous while keeping content concise and focused.

How do you grab attention in a presentation?

To grab attention in a presentation, start with a compelling opening, share your information with a story-like narration, and interact with your audience. Always focus on interaction, limit text, incorporate visually appealing elements, and maintain a clear structure.

How to make a creative presentation?

To craft a creative presentation, define your objective and audience, gather compelling data, and choose engaging design elements to present them. Incorporate storytelling and interactive features to keep your audience engaged. Practice and seek feedback to refine your delivery.

Turn your ideas into beautiful design

No prior design skill required

Talk to Sales

Wherever you are on your Dochipo journey, you can always get in touch.

Talk to Support

How it works

For Business

Join Mind Tools

Article • 12 min read

Creating Effective Presentation Visuals

Connecting people with your message.

By the Mind Tools Content Team

Apple® founder Steve Jobs was known widely for his great presentations. His unveiling of the iPhone® in 2007 is considered to have been one of his best presentations ever, and, if you were one of the millions who watched it online, you'll know why. The presentation was engaging, and passionate.

Jobs was particularly well known for building his presentations around powerful visual aids. He knew that slides are most effective when they tell a story rather than convey information, so his visuals were simple, elegant, and image-based. They complemented and reinforced his message, and they never competed with him for his audience's attention.

You don't have to be Steve Jobs to give a great presentation, but you do need great visuals. They convey a powerful message about your ideas and your brand, so it's essential to get them right. In this article, we'll look at how you can create effective presentation visuals – slides that connect your audience with your message.

Why Simplicity Speaks Volumes

The saying "A picture is worth a thousand words" is popular for a good reason: the human brain processes information more effectively when it is accompanied by images, or by short, memorable statements. This means that when you use simple, image-based slides to support your message, your audience can better grasp the information you're communicating.

However, many people use too many slides, or they build presentations around visual aids that are word-heavy or excessively complex.

These kinds of visual aids can negatively affect your presentation. Let's look at some examples:

• You're trying to convince the board to support a new product idea. Your slides are made up of graphs, numbers, and blocks of text from top to bottom, and board members spend most of their time reading the slides instead of listening to you. The result? You don't make a real connection, and your passion for the project is lost on them. They vote unanimously not to take the idea forward.
• You're pitching to a promising potential client. You spent a lot of time creating your slides, using many colors, animations, and fonts. However, the slides are so complex that your client has trouble understanding them. She leaves the presentation feeling overwhelmed and tired, and avoids using your firm because she fears, subconsciously, that dealing with your firm in the future could be similarly draining.
• You're giving a presentation to your department to highlight its good work. You want to feature everyone, so you make a slide detailing each person's accomplishments. Your department has dozens of people, so by the end, your team cares more about leaving than their results.

Now think about what happens when you use simple and engaging visuals. Instead of generating confusion or exhaustion, your slides create a positive connection with your audience. People might not remember exactly what you said, but they will remember a powerful image. They'll recall the positive emotions that they experienced during your presentation, and they'll start to associate your brand with clear, intelligent communication.

The results will be profound. You'll win new clients, convince colleagues to act on your ideas, and earn recognition for your team members' hard work. In short, you'll make positive impressions that will remain in people's minds long after the details of your presentation have faded.

Creating Great Visuals

Your visual aids have one job: to support your presentation . However, it takes considerable time, creativity, and effort to develop slides that do this well. Use the tips below to make the most of your preparation time.

1. Be Consistent

A common mistake is choosing different colors and fonts for each slide. This can confuse your audience and divert attention away from your message. Stay consistent with your slides, so that they form part of a seamless whole.

First, choose colors carefully, as color will affect your presentation's mood and tone. Also, think about the space that you'll be presenting in. If the room will be dark (with lights off), choose a darker background color, such as dark blue, black, or gray, with white or light-colored text. If the room will be light (with lights on or plenty of ambient light), choose a white or light-colored background, with black or dark-colored text.

You also need to match color with the tone and message of your presentation. Bright colors convey energy and excitement, while darker colors may seem more conservative and serious. Align the color palette you choose with your subject matter.

Microsoft® PowerPoint and Apple's Keynote are the most widely used presentation packages. They feature useful templates and tools, and most people are familiar with the layout of their presentations.

However, cloud-based presentation tools have features and templates that might be new to your audience, increasing the potential impact of your presentations.

2. Consider Culture

Before you create your visuals, make sure that you understand your audience. This is especially true if you're presenting to a culturally diverse group.

For example, not everyone reads from left to right, and people from some cultures may consider a particular color offensive or bad luck in business settings (look out for examples of this in our Managing Around the World articles). Additionally, jargon or slang may cause confusion with your audience.

When designing your visuals, use images and photographs that reflect the culture to which you're speaking. If you're presenting to a culturally diverse group, use pictures and images that reflect this diversity.

And keep graphics and phrases simple; remember, not everyone in the room will be a native English speaker. Whenever possible, use images to replace bullet points and sentences.

Our article on Cross-Cultural Communication has more tips for communicating with an ethnically diverse group.

3. Use Images Intelligently

When Steve Jobs unveiled the MacBook Air® , he needed to show just how small this new laptop was. The audience wasn't going to remember that it was 0.68 x 11.8 x 7.56 inches; those numbers don't create an emotional response. Instead, he showed them that the MacBook Air would fit easily into a standard manila envelope. This was a powerful way to show its size.

This kind of creativity is essential when choosing images. Your audience has probably seen plenty of bad clip-art and too many pictures of cross-cultural handshakes. Brainstorm creative, clever approaches with your imagery, and look for photographs or illustrations that tell a story in a less obvious way.

Thoughtful images will keep your audience engaged, reinforce your professionalism, and make a lasting impression.

4. Break Complex Data Down

When you have to communicate complex data or large chunks of information, avoid putting it all on one slide, as your audience may struggle to take in all of the details. Instead, either summarize the information, or split it up over several slides.

You can also use handouts to communicate complex information. Handouts allow your audience to look at data closely. This is especially important when you're presenting to analytical people, such as engineers, scientists, or finance professionals. They are trained to be skeptical about data, and a handout will give them a closer look. Once again, this kind of attention to the needs of your audience will highlight your professionalism and support your message.

5. Keep It Simple

Each slide should focus on one idea or concept. This allows your audience to grasp quickly what you want to communicate. Keep your text to a bare minimum (10 words or fewer if possible), and, where you can, use an image to convey a message rather than words: for example, consider using a graph instead of a list to show changing trends. Each slide should take three seconds or fewer to process. If it takes longer, the slide is probably too complex.

It can sometimes be helpful to follow a clear structure when creating your presentation; for example, if it is focused on a document or process with which audience members are familiar. This will help them make connections between your content and their existing knowledge.

Avoid bulleted lists whenever possible; they make it too easy to put several ideas on one slide, which can be overwhelming for your audience. If you do need to use bullets, don't use sentences; instead, simply list the fact, statistic, or idea you want to communicate. Then use your narrative to educate the audience about what these mean.

To simplify the wording on your slides further, highlight the key word in every sentence.

Next, look at the layout of your slides. Aim to use a plain background and plenty of blank space: this will help to focus audience members' eyes on your message. Avoid decorating slides with background pictures, logos or patterns that could distract attention.

Last, consider using blank slides when you need the audience's complete focus; a blank slide is equivalent to a pause, and it will add drama, tension, and focus to your words.

Many people underestimate how much time they need to set aside to prepare for a presentation. They'll spend days creating content and visuals but only a few hours practicing. Allow extra preparation time to hone your message and feel fully confident in your presentation.

First, take our interactive quiz, How Good Are Your Presentation Skills? to get an idea of how well you speak. Our articles on Delivering Great Presentations and Better Public Speaking contain tips and strategies that will help you communicate with clarity and intention.

When you practice your presentation, use your visuals. You should be able to glance at each slide and know exactly what you want to say.

If you're not confident in creating your own slides, think about outsourcing the task to a professional. This can be a smart option when a lot is at stake, or when you don't have the technical skills to create the type of presentation you want.

Consider using an outsourcing service such as Elance , Guru , or PeoplePerHour to find a suitable professional.

If you do, keep in mind that managing a freelancer requires a different approach from managing a regular staff member. Be clear about the project details, communicate your goals for the presentation, and set deadlines that give you plenty of time to revise and add as necessary.

Presentations that are too complex or lengthy can undermine your message. To create better visuals, do the following:

• Stay consistent.
• Consider culture.
• Use images intelligently.
• Break down complex data.
• Keep it simple.

If the stakes are high with your presentation and you don't feel confident with your technical skills, consider outsourcing slide preparation.

"iPhone," "Apple," "MacBook Air," and "Keynote" are trademarks of Apple Inc. (see www.apple.com ). "Microsoft" and "PowerPoint" are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation (see www.microsoft.com ). We have no association or connection with these organizations.

You've accessed 1 of your 2 free resources.

Get unlimited access

Discover more content

Tips for better public speaking.

Plan, Practice and Instantly Engage Your Audience

10 Common Presentation Mistakes

Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Your Presentations

Add comment

Comments (0)

Be the first to comment!

Sign-up to our newsletter

Subscribing to the Mind Tools newsletter will keep you up-to-date with our latest updates and newest resources.

Subscribe now

Business Skills

Personal Development

Leadership and Management

Member Extras

Most Popular

Latest Updates

What Is Employer Branding?

Pain Points Podcast - Virtual Meetings

Mind Tools Store

About Mind Tools Content

Discover something new today

Pain points podcast - vacations.

Taking a Break – and Returning Well to Work

Pain Points Podcast - Team-Building Activities

Ideas for Connecting, Energizing and Inspiring Your Team

How Emotionally Intelligent Are You?

Boosting Your People Skills

Self-Assessment

What's Your Leadership Style?

Learn About the Strengths and Weaknesses of the Way You Like to Lead

Recommended for you

How to build a strong culture in a distributed team.

Establishing trust, accountability and work-life balance

Business Operations and Process Management

Strategy Tools

Customer Service

Business Ethics and Values

Handling Information and Data

Project Management

Knowledge Management

Self-Development and Goal Setting

Time Management

Presentation Skills

Learning Skills

Career Skills

Communication Skills

Negotiation, Persuasion and Influence

Working With Others

Difficult Conversations

Creativity Tools

Self-Management

Work-Life Balance

Stress Management and Wellbeing

Coaching and Mentoring

Change Management

Team Management

Managing Conflict

Delegation and Empowerment

Performance Management

Leadership Skills

Developing Your Team

Talent Management

Problem Solving

Decision Making

Member Podcast

Engage your audience with powerful visual presentations.

Visual tools are critical to have in any presentation as they’re one of the key presentation aids that will help enhance your overall presentation .

We’ll give you tips on how to develop a sense of good presentation design whether you’re using PowerPoint, Prezi, Google Slides or any presentation software under the sun. The secret to creating a great presentation does not lie in a superior software, but understanding a few universal design concepts that can applied for all types of visual presentations.

Don’t be afraid to use a few presentation templates – there are ways to make the presentation ideas in those templates your own ideas and advance it in several different ways. Let’s make your next presentation on point and designed beautifully.

Presentations Are The Visual Communication Tool To Your Story

In the age of information, people remember facts faster through stories. Keep your bullet points and information short. You can use a rule of thumb to not put more than a paragraph and 3 points per slide to start.

Make your presentation the visual component of your story, but not something your audience has to read. Something that is short and succinct on screen will capture your audience’s attention and make sure they retain the main points of your message.

This does not mean incomplete slides. A common mistake presenters make is putting too little information on a slide in the name of simplicity when in fact they’re leaving out the main context.

A well designed visual presentation has a great story behind it and a well rehearsed voice telling it as well. Engaging the audience is also a great way to associate meaning or connection to the content of your slide decks. Ask questions and tell stories while showing off a great visual presentation! Think of writing the copy like writing for social media – you only have a certain amount of characters to use and a short audience attention span.

General Tips For Visual Presentations

Before you begin creating your presentation, you first need to know what makes effective presentations – storytelling. Such presentations target the audience’s emotions leading to a stronger connection to the audience member and the main point of the presentation.

Below are some storytelling tips for your slides, but remember to keep the presentation itself simple and practice makes perfect. And again, these are more for your spoken component that accompanies the visual component. These tips can be useful because they can be applied to all your presentations in general.

Step 1 is to ask yourself who your audience is and how to convey the key message you have in mind to them. Once you settle on your message, you can start designing your slides with that direction in mind.

You may wonder how to connect with an audience with your slides. Look to your own experiences, your own speaking style and tailor your message to what you know. Not many people want to hear others recite facts with no real meaning driving the story. Ask yourself, “Why does this matter to the audience and why should they care?”.

There is a lot of trust that can be built when the audience has a genuine connection to the presenter. Overall, if you have something that can solve a problem or teach someone complex things, that is enough to form a connection with your audience.

Think of the last app you used, the last email you read or perhaps the last business you purchased from. What was the content or visual elements that pulled you in?

Are you making a PowerPoint, Prezi or other form of visual presentation but it’s taking too much of your time? Enlist the help of Presentation Geeks and consider outsourcing your presentation design . Outsourcing your presentation slides allows you to free more of your time while still getting the results of an interesting presentation. You’ll have the support of expert slide designers who know what presentation visuals work and don’t work thanks to years of presentation feedback and background knowledge.

Color Design Tips For Presentation Slides

When designing your presentation, make sure you take into consideration the colors you’re using. We’ve listed a few background color combinations you might want to consider when developing the overall slide deck and the font to use.

Color Wheel Alignments:

Primary Colors: Red, yellow, blue

Secondary Colors: Green, orange, purple

Tertiary Colors: Yellow-orange, red-orange, red-purple, blue-purple, blue-green & yellow-green

Analogous Colors: These are any three colors which are side by side on a color wheel. (Think green, lime green, yellow)

Complementary Colors: These are colors that are directly opposite of a color wheel. (Think green vs. purple, red vs. blue)

Monochromatic Colors: This is when you use one color and various shades or hues of it. It works well for minimal looks.

Color moods:

Red/Orange/Yellow: Generally these convey a sense of energy, are warm colors and catch your attention. Yellow is a happy warm color on one end and red is very striking and can warn of danger, and symbolizes importance, passion and sometimes violence.

Blue/Purple/Green: These colors are calming, reserved, elegant and often used for corporate slides. Think of how indigo blue is used for many large corporate entities. Green often is branded with earth or medical brands. Purple often conveys a sense of royalty, money and creativity.

Use The Power Of Photography Or Video

Pictures and videos are great visuals to incorporate into any presentation. Remember the saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words”? Well, it’s true! Photos help visualize complex information. You’ll often come across a lot of photos in research presentations as they help the audience understand examples better.

They can also save you from having to put a thousand thoughts into the PowerPoint presentation slide!

The first tip we can give to make a great visual presentation is to choose all your photos before you start. This way you can keep the consistency of the images across your slide deck and make sure they’re somewhat alike in terms of composition, mood and brand.

Use free stock photos

You don’t have to take the photos or videos yourself.

There are plenty of free resources and web pages for stock photos online – Unsplash , Pexels , Pixabay , Free Range , Creative Commons and some photos from Freepik are free to use with some accreditation.

Effective photo use

Make sure you pick an image that will focus on the main theme of the slide. One image is usually enough if the image choice is very relevant to the slide. If you have multiple photos, avoid poor or loose placement of photos all over the slide. Try to use a grid or gallery placement and it will immediately enhance the layout of the slide.

If you pick great images, making presentations can be faster. Instead of having to create an elaborate template with multiple elements, a photo with a couple of bullet points can go a long way in terms of capturing attention and making your presentation slides look professional. This is true on any presentation design platform – whether its PowerPoint, Google Slides, etc.

You can also embed videos whether they’re located on your computer, YouTube, Vimeo or other major video streaming sites. If you’re feeling nervous about your presentation or have a complex message that would be hard to condense in one slide, a video is a dynamic way of conveying your message in any type of presentation.

The Typography You Use Matters

Typography is how you will arrange and present the words in your presentation. An audience can engage when text is readable, functional and works well with the other elements in the presentation. Fonts and sizing are a good place to start establishing the tone of your presentation.

Overview of Font Choices

Elegant fonts often denote a sense of luxury or lifestyle tone. Use script fonts sparingly, but as titles they immediately give this polished and high-end look. This should not be used as body text or something lengthy to read. Think about if you sent an email in that text – it would be tedious to read. However, maybe if it were a title or a way to name email, the choice may be more correct.

Corporate fonts often are traditional, serif fonts or clean sans serif fonts that evoke a sense of trust and a clear message. Think of the fonts Lato, Helvetica or Arial – they’re go-to fonts that are easy to read, and work across many systems. This is especially helpful if you are working across teams when creating content or having to approve the content, idea or visuals.

Of course, you can incorporate more stylistic or playful fonts if you want to give your presentation a personal feel. Much like the scripted font, when used sparingly but in large titles, this choice of font can be very effective at conveying a certain personality.

Adding Symbols & Icons To Your Presentation

You can consolidate information by using symbols or icons to direct your eye to information such as an arrow symbol. What if you used a symbol instead of a bullet point? Think of symbols as anchors for the eye to quickly find information. You can collect symbols off free stock sites or use the built-in ones in PowerPoint that are free to use!

Depending on if your presentation is formal or informal , you may also want to consider adding emojis! Emojis are fun ways to express different emotions and can help connect with a younger demographic.

Overall Branding, Tone of Voice & Consistency

Another tool you may have at your disposal is if your brand, business or company has brand guidelines. It will be the guide and compass to your presentation’s information that goes within it. By keeping consistent you can achieve a polished look even if it looks very simple.

Use your business voice to communicate ideas and set the tone for your presentation. Are you in an investment banking business and want people to rely on the information given to you? That would inform perhaps using blues and purples, which are calmer colors and a cleaner look. Are you an influencer who’s buying power and spending choices matter to your audience? Maybe choosing bright colors with personal touches will make the connection. Are you designing an innovative app? Maybe more interactive slides would do the trick.

Use these questions to make sure your text and tone is consistent as this is a foundation of a well articulated brand or personal identity.

Consistent Hierarchy

Visual hierarchy is how you will arrange objects and text in relation to one another to guide your user and not confuse the objects and how they should read them in your slides. Setting rules helps differentiate and prioritize what’s important in order.

Look at the difference between these two.

Snoop Dogg just launched a wine and it’s coming to Canada

Daily hive branded content | aug 11 2020, 6:30 am.

Australian winery 19 Crimes recently announced that its new Cali Red wine, created in collaboration with Entertainment Icon, entrepreneur, and hip-hop artist Snoop Dogg, will be hitting shelves across Canada later this summer.

The collaboration offers a refreshing take on celebrity partnerships as the apparent shared values and history between the brand and famous rapper make for a perfectly organic pairing.

Comment Name:

By browsing the site, you agree to the use of cookies on this website. see our user agreement for the use of cookies..

You can see a clear distinction in the example below:

Think of hierarchy of a form of narration or story structure. Your eye goes to the title, then to the subtitle, then to the body copy in a logical manner. Where the eye travels is one of those things we don’t think about often. But you can also utilize eye lines in photos. Is your subject in the photo looking left or right? Consider placing text to where your subject is looking and see how effectively your eye travels to that text.

We’ll look at hierarchy strictly as sizing of words for now, but note you can establish hierarchy with type, white space, alignment, etc. As a general rule of thumb, you should have consistent sizing for your Header (or title slide / slide title), your subtitles and your body text. That’s it! If the sizing in your PowerPoint is consistent, your words will look uniform and clean. Everything will be much easier to read and the eye will be trained to move each slide.

Don’t Forget Your Own Style

Also don’t forget to incorporate your own style and what kind of visuals you like. Even if your early visuals may seem simple, build up that design muscle with the basics and design techniques that look clean and consistent.

You’ll find as you design these basics, you’ll probably start noticing other visuals and things you like in other mediums and presentations. Keep a note or screenshot the presentation that inspired you. Create a mood-board that you can refer to in the future for quick idea inspiration. Copying gets a bad rap, but learning how to design something you like even if it’s a clone copy will teach you many things about design. Build a collection of images that informs everything you do: for your color scheme, your designs, the cadence of images, etc.

That being said, you can also use free stock websites like Freepik for some design layouts inspiration. Creative Market is a paid website but the site offers a ton of design inspiration. This site has design templates for what’s currently in and trending. You can subscribe to an email newsletter on either site to get bite sized design influence each day that goes straight to your inbox.

However, don’t be afraid to try something new!

Once you get to a level of comfortable designing, these new ideas will be much easier to execute with the technical knowledge you amassed when you started. You could even try using a new app to design your ideas to keep your knowledge fresh! (Keep in mind that most online apps like SlideShare use cookies to improve functionality and performance.)

Ask your friends or people at your organization to give you feedback and critique, as that’s also crucial to honing your design skills. The people around you also represent different audiences!

The above image looks boring, right?

That’s because there are no visual elements!

Powerful visual presentations can engage audiences psychologically with both the presentation itself and the energy of the presenter. By understanding a few universal design concepts, you can begin your journey creating wonderful visual presentations and becoming a better presenter ! Thanks for reading this blog post, tell us your tips in the comments below.

Author:  Content Team

Related posts.

FREE PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX.

Subscribe for free tips, resources, templates, ideas and more from our professional team of presentation designers.

.css-1qrtm5m{display:block;margin-bottom:8px;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:14px;line-height:1.5714285714285714;-webkit-letter-spacing:-0.35px;-moz-letter-spacing:-0.35px;-ms-letter-spacing:-0.35px;letter-spacing:-0.35px;font-weight:300;color:#606F7B;}@media (min-width:600px){.css-1qrtm5m{font-size:16px;line-height:1.625;-webkit-letter-spacing:-0.5px;-moz-letter-spacing:-0.5px;-ms-letter-spacing:-0.5px;letter-spacing:-0.5px;}} Best Practices The #1 rule for improving your presentation slides

by Tom Rielly • May 12, 2020

When giving presentations, either on a video conference call or in person, your slides, videos and graphics (or lack of them) can be an important element in helping you tell your story or express your idea. This is the first of a series of blog posts that will give you tips and tricks on how to perfect your visual presentations.

Your job as a presenter is to build your idea -- step-by-step -- in the minds of your audience members. One tool to do that is presentation graphics, such as slides and videos.

Why graphics for your presentation?

A common mistake is using slides or videos as a crutch, even if they don’t actually add anything to your presentation. Not all presentations need graphics. Lots of presentations work wonderfully with just one person standing on a stage telling a story, as demonstrated by many TED Talks.

You should only use slides if they serve a purpose: conveying scientific information, art, and things that are hard to explain without pictures. Once you have decided on using slides, you will have a number of decisions to make. We’ll help you with the basics of making a presentation that is, above all, clear and easy to understand. The most important thing to remember here is: less is more.

Less is so much more

You want to aim for the fewest number of slides, the fewest number of photos, the fewest words per slide, the least cluttered slides and the most white space on your slides. This is the most violated slide rule, but it is the secret to success. Take a look at these examples.

As you can see in the above example, you don’t need fancy backgrounds or extra words to convey a simple concept. If you take “Everything you need to know about Turtles”, and delete “everything you need to know about” leaving just “turtles”, the slide has become much easier for your audience to read, and tells the story with economy.

The above example demonstrates that a single image that fills the entire screen is far more powerful than a slide cluttered with images. A slide with too many images may be detrimental to your presentation. The audience will spend more mental energy trying to sort through the clutter than listening to your presentation. If you need multiple images, then put each one on its own slide. Make each image high-resolution and have it fill the entire screen. If the photos are not the same dimensions as the screen, put them on a black background. Don’t use other colors, especially white.

Your slides will be much more effective if you use the fewest words, characters, and pictures needed to tell your story. Long paragraphs make the audience strain to read them, which means they are not paying attention to you. Your audience may even get stressed if you move on to your next slide before they’ve finished reading your paragraph. The best way to make sure the attention stays on you is to limit word count to no more than 10 words per slide. As presentation expert Nancy Duarte says “any slide with more than 10 words is a document.” If you really do need a longer explanation of something, handouts or follow-up emails are the way to go.

Following a “less is more” approach is one of the simplest things you can do to improve your presentation visuals and the impact of your presentation overall. Make sure your visuals add to your presentation rather than distract from it and get your message across.

Ready to learn more about how to make your presentation even better? Get TED Masterclass and develop your ideas into TED-style talks.

© 2024 TED Conferences, LLC. All rights reserved. Please note that the TED Talks Usage policy does not apply to this content and is not subject to our creative commons license.

120 Presentation Topic Ideas Help You Hook Your Audience

Updated: January 15, 2024

Published: August 09, 2023

Cooking is easy. The puzzle is figuring out what to eat. As soon as you know that, you can get started. The same holds for presentations. The sooner you can whip up a good, informative, and catchy topic, the easier the rest of the process becomes.

Pick a good topic that resonates with you and your audience to set a strong foundation. But select the wrong topic, and it becomes difficult to connect with your audience, find mutual interests, or hold their attention.

So, let’s learn how to develop thought-provoking and relevant topics for your presentations. You’ll also find some best practices to make your presentation memorable.

10 Free PowerPoint Templates

Download ten free PowerPoint templates for a better presentation.

• Creative templates.
• Data-driven templates.
• Professional templates.

Download Free

All fields are required.

You're all set!

Click this link to access this resource at any time.

Table of Contents

How to Choose a Great Presentation Topic in 5 Steps

120 presentation topic ideas, 5 presentation tips.

4. Choose an appropriate presentation style.

There are many ways to present a topic. Your personality, the topic at hand, and your audience’s personas will help you determine which style would best fit you and your audience.

Select a presentation style that will communicate the main idea clearly and have a lasting impact on your audience.

For instance, explore a freeform style presenter by Sir Ken Robinson.

5. Engage with your audience.

Work on your presentation skills to make a strong connection with your audience, get through to them and leave a mark.

Think of the presenter as the link between the topic and the audience. A strong or a weak presenter can make a difference between a presentation being a thriving success or a boring failure.

Hone your skills by engaging and interacting with your audience. Make them feel like a part of the presentation and not just spectators. 70% of marketers have found presentations with interactive content to be more effective than those without.

Here are a few ways you can make your presentation interactive:

• Start your speech with uncommon questions to your audience. Involve them from the get-go, like ask to raise their hands if X.
• Make eye contact to build credibility and show confidence. Don’t stare at your slides or notes. Smile occasionally and talk to the audience directly.
• Have an active and confident body language. Don’t stand in the same place the entire time. Move around the stage.
• Don’t be monotonous. Speak as you would to a colleague — with enthusiasm.
• Ask close-ended questions in between to keep the audience engaged without losing time. Address them using their names to keep things interesting.
• Share personal experiences and stories that your audience will find fascinating and relatable.
• Practice thoroughly before you present so you’re fluent with the material and delivery.
• Energy and excitement can be quite contagious. Make sure you exude enough to spread some to your audience.

Feeling Inspired Yet?

Now you have all the right ingredients for choosing amazing topics and a hundred ideas to drive inspiration from. So, go ahead and start cooking presentations that will blow your audience away.

Don’t forget to choose a super-relevant topic and add meaty information. Do it with excitement to make it enjoyable for you and your audience. Best of luck!

Don't forget to share this post!

Related articles.

How to Create the Best PowerPoint Presentations [Examples & Templates]

17 PowerPoint Presentation Tips From Pro Presenters [+ Templates]

How to Write an Ecommerce Business Plan [Examples & Template]

How to Create an Infographic in Under an Hour — the 2024 Guide [+ Free Templates]

20 Great Examples of PowerPoint Presentation Design [+ Templates]

Get Buyers to Do What You Want: The Power of Temptation Bundling in Sales

How to Create an Engaging 5-Minute Presentation

How to Start a Presentation [+ Examples]

The Presenter's Guide to Nailing Your Next PowerPoint

How to Create a Stunning Presentation Cover Page [+ Examples]

Marketing software that helps you drive revenue, save time and resources, and measure and optimize your investments — all on one easy-to-use platform

Small Business Trends

20 incredible presentation ideas to wow your audience.

Every presenter knows the pulse-racing thrill of a captive audience; it’s the oxygen for our ideas and the electricity in our words. But the art of electrifying an audience isn’t simply about unleashing a tornado of information or leaning on stock presentation templates mixed with an elevator pitch . It’s about crafting a narrative that captivates, illuminates, and motivates. This article explores 20 presentation ideas and successful presentation tips that aim to wow your audience and turn them into active participants in your narrative journey.

Table of Contents

20 of The Best Presentation Ideas for Engaging Your Audience

Below we explore 20 of the best creative presentation ideas. We examine personal touches, humor, simplicity, breaks, and group activities. We’ll also tap into the power of demonstrations, metaphors, pace variation, and lasting takeaways. Here we go!

Storytelling Techniques

Storytelling paints pictures with words, weaving a narrative that resonates emotionally. It is also about transforming data or marketing materials into vivid narratives. For example, illustrate a sales growth report through the journey of a single customer, or explain company history by telling the founder’s story. These techniques humanize information, making your presentation more engaging and relatable.

Interactive Elements

Interactive elements are the spark plugs of your presentation engine. Deploy live polls to gauge audience sentiment, quizzes to reinforce key points, or hold spontaneous Q&A sessions. For instance, quiz the audience after explaining a complex concept to ensure understanding and retention. Interactivity keeps the audience invested and alert.

Visual Aids

Visual aids are your presentation’s secret sauce. They transform complex visual elements into digestible formats. Incorporate infographics to break down data, use compelling images to evoke emotions, or play short videos for a dramatic effect. For example, replace a bulleted list of product features with a stunning infographic. Visuals add vibrancy and captivate attention.

Audience-Driven Content

Audience-driven content is the bridge between the presenter and the listener. Understand your audience’s interests, problems, and preferences to achieve this. For instance, if you’re presenting to a tech-savvy crowd, incorporate the latest industry trends and technologies into your narrative. Tailored content resonates, engages, and holds relevance.

Creative Presentation Formats

Traditional formats often cage the potential of a business presentation. Experiment with formats like PechaKucha ( 20 slides or images that are displayed for 20 seconds each) , Ignite ( 5 minute long presentation with 20 slides ), or TED-style talks (18-minute insights). For instance, PechaKucha can be perfect for a product launch, keeping the narrative concise and impactful. You can even make a PowerPoint into a video , or experiment with other features. For example, you could create a roadmap in Powerpoint or create a poster in Powerpoint or other tools. These formats bring novelty, maintain interest, and enhance information delivery.

Personal Anecdotes

Personal anecdotes inject authenticity into your presentation. They humanize you, making the audience relate to your journey. For instance, share your first-hand experiences of overcoming challenges if you’re discussing entrepreneurship. This creates an emotional connection, making your presentation both relatable and memorable.

Thought-Provoking Questions

Thought-provoking questions are the catalysts for audience reflection and engagement. They inspire critical thinking, stimulate discussion, and create a dialogue. For example, if presenting on climate change, ask, “How can your individual actions contribute to a sustainable future?” Or in a marketing strategy talk, pose, “How would you differentiate this product in a saturated market?” Let the power of curiosity drive your presentation.

Incorporating Humor into Creative Presentations

Humor is the magic wand that can transform the atmosphere of your presentation. It breaks the ice, lifts spirits, and boosts engagement. A well-placed joke can lighten complex subjects. For instance, if you’re discussing a tough financial quarter, you might say, “We’re in the red, but at least it’s our company color.” Remember, a laughing audience is an engaged audience. You may even get creative with business cartoons or animated videos for business .

Use of Technology and Multimedia

Incorporate modern technology and multimedia elements like augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), or interactive digital content. This not only modernizes your presentation but also creates an immersive experience for the audience.

Incorporate Case Studies and Real-World Examples

Utilize case studies or real-world examples relevant to your topic. This approach helps in illustrating points more concretely and makes your presentation more relatable and practical for the audience.

Expert Guest Speakers or Interviews

Inviting guest speakers or showing interviews with experts can add credibility and variety to your presentation. This can be particularly effective for topics requiring specialized knowledge.

Use of Infographics and Data Visualization

Complex data can be made more accessible and engaging through well-designed infographics and data visualization tools. These help in breaking down information into more digestible pieces.

Interactive Workshops or Hands-On Demonstrations

Turn part of your presentation into an interactive workshop or include hands-on demonstrations. This approach is especially effective for educational and instructional content, as it allows the audience to apply what they learn in real-time.

Minimalist Presentation Slides

Minimalist slide design directs the spotlight where it belongs: on the speaker and the message. Clean, uncluttered slides avoid overwhelming the audience and allow them to focus on your words. For a PowerPoint presentation, use simple visuals and limited text. In a video presentation, consider a minimalist backdrop with minimal on-screen elements. By embracing simplicity, you amplify the impact of your message.

Utilizing Breaks and Intermissions to Keep the Audience’s Attention

Long presentations can be mentally draining for both the presenter and the audience. Incorporating well-timed breaks or intermissions becomes vital to maintain audience focus and energy. These pauses allow participants to recharge and process information. By providing intentional breaks, you promote audience engagement, ensuring they remain attentive throughout the presentation.

Collaborative Activities

Group activities and collaborative exercises are potent tools for audience interaction and learning. Incorporate brainstorming sessions, group discussions, or small team activities to foster engagement.

Demonstrations

Live demonstrations and examples breathe life into your presentation. They provide tangible evidence and make concepts more relatable. By showcasing a product in action or illustrating a process firsthand, you capture the audience’s attention and maintain interest. Demonstrations engage multiple senses, leaving a lasting impression and enhancing the overall impact of your presentation design.

Analogies and Metaphors

Analogies and metaphors are the translator’s toolkit for simplifying complex concepts. By comparing abstract ideas to relatable experiences, you make them more accessible and memorable. For instance, describing a computer virus as a “digital flu” helps the audience grasp the concept of its spread and impact. Analogies and metaphors create vivid mental images that enhance audience understanding and retention.

Varied Presentation Pace

Varying the pace of your presentation is key to keeping the audience engaged and avoiding monotony—shift between slower and faster segments to maintain attention and create dynamic momentum. For example, during a data-heavy section, slow down to emphasize crucial points and then pick up the pace during a story or interactive activity to infuse energy. By modulating the tempo, you keep your audience on their toes and enhance the overall presentation impact.

Memorable Takeaways

Memorable takeaways are the lasting gems that linger in your audience’s minds. Provide actionable insights, key messages, or practical tips that they can apply after the presentation. For example, in a leadership talk, offer a “5-step framework for effective decision-making” or share a memorable quote that encapsulates your main message. These takeaways empower the audience to take action and ensure that your presentation has a lasting impact beyond the event itself.

The Power of Storytelling in Presentations

Storytelling has been an integral part of human communication since ancient times. It’s a powerful tool that captivates and engages audiences, making it a crucial element in modern presentations. Here’s why storytelling is essential and how to harness its potential:

• Emotional Connection: Stories evoke emotions and create a sense of empathy, allowing the audience to connect with the message on a deeper level.
• Memorable Impact: People remember stories far better than dry facts and figures. A well-told story leaves a lasting impression.
• Relatability: Stories humanize information, making complex concepts relatable and understandable for the audience.
• Engaging Narrative: A well-crafted story keeps the audience hooked, driving them to actively participate in the presentation.
• Illustrating Concepts: Use storytelling to illustrate abstract ideas, turning them into vivid mental images that stick with the audience.
• Overcoming Objections: Address objections or concerns through storytelling, showcasing how others have overcome similar challenges successfully.
• Persuasive Communication: A story with a clear message is persuasive, motivating the audience to take action.
• Fostering Empowerment: Stories that highlight real-life achievements empower the audience to believe in their potential.
• Building Trust: Sharing personal experiences builds trust and credibility with the audience.
• Enduring Legacy: Well-crafted stories are often retold, spreading your message beyond the immediate audience.

Incorporate storytelling into your presentations to elevate them from mere information-sharing sessions to captivating and unforgettable experiences.

Recap: Essential Tips for a Successful and Engaging Presentation

To create a presentation that lingers in minds and sparks a fire of engagement, embrace the magic of storytelling, interactive zest, captivating visuals, and audience-centric content. Pepper it with personal tales, mind-bending queries, and well-placed humor. Keep it sleek with minimalist slides, revitalize it with timely breaks, and foster collaboration. Add flair with demos, analogies, and metaphors. Vary the tempo, leaving the crowd craving more. And don’t forget those unforgettable takeaways that ignite action.

Why Presentation Ideas Matter

Business presentations, when armed with creative presentation ideas, become dynamic tools. They capture the audience’s attention, amplifying the impact of your message. Creativity isn’t mere decoration; it’s the engine of engagement, turning listeners into active participants in your business narrative.

The Power of Creative Presentation Ideas

Creative presentation ideas are more than a splash of brilliance; they are the lighthouse that guides your audience through your narrative. These ideas imbue an experience, a human element that resonates beyond mere data. They invite your audience on a journey, making them co-authors rather than mere spectators of your story. This inclusion boosts retention, as information becomes not just absorbed but lived. And when an audience is engaged, participation is no longer a chore, but a natural response, a dialogue that enriches both speaker and listener. Remember, a presentation is an exchange of ideas, and creative ideas make this exchange a memorable event.

FAQs: Presentation Ideas

Looking for more guidance on presentation ideas? We’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) to address common concerns and provide presentation tips on crafting remarkable presentations.

How Do I Choose the Right Creative Presentation Idea for My Topic?

Choosing the right presentation idea starts with understanding your presentation topic and audience. Consider the nature of your content and the desired impact. For a data-driven presentation, infographics or visualizations may be effective. For a storytelling approach, personal anecdotes can engage the audience. Tailor your choice to align with your message, goals, and the preferences of your audience. Experiment, adapt, and find the idea that best resonates with your topic.

How Can I Ensure My Entire Presentation Stays Engaging Throughout?

To maintain engagement throughout your presentation, utilize a variety of techniques. Start strong with a captivating opening to hook your audience. Incorporate interactive elements like polls, quizzes, or short activities to keep them involved. Vary your delivery style, pacing, and tone to maintain interest. Use visuals, storytelling, and relevant examples to illustrate your points. Keep the content concise and focused, avoiding information overload. Lastly, conclude with a powerful ending that leaves a lasting impression.

What Are Some Common Mistakes to Avoid When Creating a Creative Presentation?

Some key mistakes to avoid include overwhelming slides with excessive text or complex visuals. Steer clear of relying solely on monotonous delivery without engaging the audience. Avoid cramming too much information into a single presentation and neglecting to practice and rehearse. And find the right presentation tools for sales marketing to compliment your content. For example, PowerPoint is often best for standard content, while a Canva presentation may be ideal for those with lots of unique visuals. Lastly, don’t forget to tailor the content to your specific audience and their interests

How Can I Improve My Presentation Skills to Deliver a More Engaging Presentation?

Improving your presentation skills takes practice and intentional effort. Seek feedback from peers or mentors to identify areas for improvement. Practice your delivery, focusing on clarity, body language, and vocal variation. Utilize visual aids strategically to enhance your message. Engage in public speaking opportunities to gain confidence.

How Can I Adapt My Presentation to Suit Different Audience Types?

Adapting your presentation to different audience types requires understanding their needs and preferences. Research your audience beforehand to gather insights. Tailor your language and examples to resonate with their industry or background. Adjust the level of technicality or complexity based on their knowledge. Incorporate relevant anecdotes or case studies that relate to their interests. By adapting your presentation to suit different audience types, you demonstrate attentiveness and increase the chances of engaging and connecting with them effectively.

• Mind Map Examples
• What is Prezi ?
• Disclaimer Examples

Image: Envato Elements

© Copyright 2003 - 2024, Small Business Trends LLC. All rights reserved. "Small Business Trends" is a registered trademark.

Microsoft 365 Life Hacks > Presentations > How to create an inspirational PowerPoint presentation

How to create an inspirational PowerPoint presentation

Creating an inspirational PowerPoint presentation involves more than just putting together slides; it’s about crafting a moving story that resonates with your audience and leaves a lasting impact. See how you can elevate your material to truly call your audience to agree with you or ask for action.

What is an inspirational presentation?

Easy and effective PowerPoint tools make it simple to assemble a compelling slideshow. You can choose from creative templates , make animated shorts , or implement video clips via Clipchamp .

However, PowerPoint works the best when you imbue it with a narrative that has the power to captivate. Whether you’re trying to motivate and uplift your audience, offer encouraging advice, or ask them to act or change their perspective, an inspirational presentation carries the same motivational speaking skills as a sales pitch.

Therefore, the key to a successful inspirational presentation is to deliver a clear, impactful message that is both engaging and memorable. Structure your presentation as a narrative, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. To elevate the storytelling qualities of your presentation, introduce a conflict or challenge and describe the journey of overcoming it. While not every topic that you choose to inspire others will involve a conflict, an inspirational presentation will nonetheless conclude with a resolution that leaves your audience inspired.

Tell your story with captivating presentations

Powerpoint empowers you to develop well-designed content across all your devices

How to inspire others with your presentational skills

Any good presentation begins with a strong outline . The outline of your presentation should adhere to your goals:

• To persuade people to share your point of view.
• To present something new or give a new perspective on something old.
• To inspire, motivate, and call for action or change.

Keep these goals in mind when you begin outlining. Start your outline with a strong theme that aligns with the message you want to convey. This should be relevant to your audience and your objectives and serve as the backbone of your presentation in guiding the narrative and supporting your message.

Use motivational quotes and visuals

Sprinkle your presentation with quotes from leaders and famous thinkers that align you’re your theme. Pair these quotes with compelling visuals to enhance their impact. Keep in mind that in a presentation that uses visual aids, these quotes are the “icing on the cake” of the message you’re trying to convey; they can serve as powerful reminders of the key points you want your audience to remember.

Share success stories

Incorporating success stories that are related to your topic can convey a sense of success to your audience. Stories of achievable potential can provide examples on how the concepts or strategies you’re sharing can help benefit your audience. This can make otherwise abstract ideas more tangible—and therefore achievable.

Engage your audience

Audience interaction—in the form of quizzes, can make your presentation more memorable. Include questions to ponder, prompt discussions, or incorporate quick activities that reinforce the message. This engagement makes the experience more dynamic and personal for the audience, increasing the impact of your presentation.

Brush up on presentation skills

The key to an inspirational presentation is to balance the use of visual aids and public speaking skills. This can be easier said than done, of course—which is why it’s vital to learn how to practice your presentations , incorporate humor and wit into your speech, or overcome the fear of public speaking that plagues an estimated 73% of the population.

Creating an inspirational presentation requires thoughtful preparation, a balance of visual aids and speaking, as well as a creative approach. By following these guidelines, you can develop a presentation that not only informs but also inspires and motivates your audience.

Get started with Microsoft 365

It’s the Office you know, plus the tools to help you work better together, so you can get more done—anytime, anywhere.

Topics in this article

More articles like this one.

How to create an educational presentation

Use PowerPoint to create dynamic and engaging presentations that foster effective learning.

Five tips for choosing the right PowerPoint template

Choose an appropriate PowerPoint template to elevate your presentation’s storytelling. Consider time length, audience and other presentation elements when selecting a template.

How you can use AI to help you make the perfect presentation handouts

Learn how AI can help you organize and create handouts for your next presentation.

How to use AI to help improve your presentations

Your PowerPoint presentations are about to get a boost when you use AI to improve a PowerPoint presentation.

Everything you need to achieve more in less time

Get powerful productivity and security apps with Microsoft 365

Explore Other Categories

We use essential cookies to make Venngage work. By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.

Manage Cookies

Cookies and similar technologies collect certain information about how you’re using our website. Some of them are essential, and without them you wouldn’t be able to use Venngage. But others are optional, and you get to choose whether we use them or not.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are always on, as they’re essential for making Venngage work, and making it safe. Without these cookies, services you’ve asked for can’t be provided.

Show cookie providers

• Google Login

Functionality Cookies

These cookies help us provide enhanced functionality and personalisation, and remember your settings. They may be set by us or by third party providers.

Performance Cookies

These cookies help us analyze how many people are using Venngage, where they come from and how they're using it. If you opt out of these cookies, we can’t get feedback to make Venngage better for you and all our users.

• Google Analytics

Targeting Cookies

These cookies are set by our advertising partners to track your activity and show you relevant Venngage ads on other sites as you browse the internet.

• Google Tag Manager
• Infographics
• Daily Infographics
• Popular Templates
• Accessibility
• Graphic Design
• Graphs and Charts
• Data Visualization
• Human Resources
• Beginner Guides

Blog Marketing 15 Interactive Presentation Ideas to Elevate Engagement

15 Interactive Presentation Ideas to Elevate Engagement

Written by: Krystle Wong Aug 04, 2023

As attention spans continue to shrink, the challenge of engaging audiences in a short timeframe has never been more significant. Let’s face it — grabbing and keeping your audience’s attention can be quite the challenge, especially when time is ticking away. But fear not, I’ve got the perfect solution: interactive presentations!

Believe it or not, creating an interactive presentation is easier than you might think. In this guide, I’ll show you how to effortlessly turn ordinary slides into captivating experiences with 15 interactive presentation ideas that will leave your audience begging for more. From quirky polls and fun games to storytelling adventures and multimedia magic, these ideas will take your presentation game to the next level.

Venngage is a game-changer when it comes to empowering interactive presentations. With just a few clicks, users can customize their favorite presentation templates , add multimedia content and create immersive experiences that leave a lasting impact. Whether you’re a seasoned presenter or a newcomer, get started with Venngage to elevate your presentation game to new heights of engagement and creativity.

Click to jump ahead:

What is an interactive presentation?

15 ways to make a presentation interactive, 7 best interactive presentation software, what are some common mistakes to avoid when creating interactive presentations, interactive presentation faqs, how to create an interactive presentation with venngage.

An interactive presentation is a dynamic and engaging communication format that involves active participation and collaboration between the presenter and the audience. Unlike traditional presentations where information is delivered in a one-way manner, interactive presentations invite the audience to interact, respond and contribute throughout the session.

Think of it as a two-way street where you and your audience have a friendly chat. It’s like playing a fun game where you ask questions, get live feedback and encourage people to share their thoughts. 

To make a good presentation , you can utilize various tools and techniques such as clickable buttons, polls, quizzes, discussions and multimedia elements to transform your slides into an interactive presentation. Whether you’re presenting in-person or giving a virtual presentation — when people are actively participating, they’re more likely to remember the stuff you’re talking about.

Interactive presentations leave a lasting impression on the audience. By encouraging active participation and feedback, interactive presentations facilitate better understanding and knowledge retention. Here are 15 innovative 5-minute interactive presentation ideas to captivate your audience from start to finish:

1. Ice-breaker questions

Start your presentation with intriguing and thought-provoking questions or a fun icebreaker game. These questions should be designed to pique the audience’s curiosity and encourage them to think about the topic you’ll be covering. By doing so, you create an immediate connection with your audience and set the stage for a more engaged and attentive audience.

For example, if you’re giving a business presentation about management and leadership training, you could ask audience questions such as “What’s the best business advice you’ve ever received, and how has it impacted your career?”

2. Live polling

Incorporate live polls during your presentation using audience response systems or polling apps . This allows you to collect real-time feedback, opinions and insights from active participants. Live polling encourages active participation and involvement, making your presentation feel like a collaborative and interactive experience.

3. Q&A sessions

Encourage the audience to ask questions throughout your presentation, especially for pitch deck presentations . Address these questions in real-time, which fosters a more interactive and dynamic atmosphere. This approach shows that you value the audience’s input and promotes a two-way communication flow.

4. Clickable buttons

Add clickable buttons to your slides, allowing the audience to navigate to specific sections or external resources at their own pace. For example, you could include links to your social media accounts or extra reading materials in your education presentation to give further information about the topic and get your students engaged.

By providing this autonomy, you empower the audience to explore areas of particular interest, creating a more personalized and engaging experience through your interactive slideshow.

5. Storytelling

Incorporate anecdotes or personal stories related to your topic. Storytelling is a powerful way to emotionally connect with your audience, making your presentation more relatable and memorable. A little storytelling along with a set of creative slides draws the audience in and keeps them engaged as they follow the narrative.

6. Interactive charts and graphs

Use interactive charts and graphs that respond to user input to make your presentation interactive. For instance, allow the audience to click on data points to view more detailed information or to change the displayed data series. Creating charts with interactive visuals help the audience interact with the data, fostering better understanding and engagement.

7. Animated infographics

Add animations to your infographics, making them visually dynamic and progressive. Animated infographics reveal information gradually, keeping the audience curious and attentive. This transforms complex data into an easily digestible and engaging format.

Venngage’s extensive library of infographic templates is a powerful tool to visualize data and elevate the interactivity of your presentations. Personalizing the visuals ensures a cohesive and professional look throughout your interactive presentation. The templates are highly customizable, allowing you to adjust colors, fonts, and styles to match your presentation’s theme and branding. 

8. Gamification

Introduce an interactive quiz, puzzles, or challenges related to your presentation content. Gamification adds an element of fun and competition, motivating the audience to participate actively and boosting their learning experience. Here are some gaming presentation templates you could use. 

9. Virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR)

If applicable, leverage VR or AR technologies to provide immersive experiences. These interactive presentation tools transport the audience into a virtual or augmented environment, making your presentation more captivating and memorable.

10. Collaborative whiteboarding

Get your audience involved in your presentation by utilizing digital whiteboards or collaborative tools to brainstorm ideas collectively. This fosters teamwork and creativity, enabling the audience to actively contribute and feel a sense of involvement in the presentation.

11. Hyperlinked text

Keep the information in your slides minimal with a simple presentation and incorporate hyperlinks to direct viewers to relevant websites or blogs , resources, or additional information. This encourages self-exploration and gives the audience the opportunity to delve deeper into topics of interest.

12. Role-playing

Engage the audience in role-playing scenarios to explore different perspectives. Role-playing promotes active learning and helps the audience relate the content to real-life situations, enhancing their understanding and retention.

13. Embedded videos

Include video clips in your slides to provide visual explanations, demonstrations, or interviews. Videos add a dynamic element to your presentation, enriching the content and keeping the audience engaged.

14. Audience-generated content

Encourage the audience to contribute ideas, stories or examples related to your professional presentation . Audience-generated content fosters a sense of ownership and involvement, making the presentation more interactive and personalized.

15. Slide transitions

Use slide transitions to create smooth animations between slides. Well-planned transitions maintain the audience’s interest and keep the presentation slides flowing seamlessly.

Interactive elements aside, enhance your presentation with these guides on how to summarize information for a captivating presentation and how to make a persuasive presentation to captivate your audience. 

If you’re looking to create engaging and interactive presentation slides that captivate your audience, these presentation software options are sure to elevate your game:

Prezi is renowned for its dynamic and non-linear presentation style, enabling users to craft visually stunning and interactive presentations. With an array of templates and animation effects, Prezi enhances audience engagement, making your presentations more captivating and memorable.

2. Mentimeter

Mentimeter serves as an audience response system, empowering real-time interaction during presentations. Users can create interactive polls, quizzes, word clouds and more, allowing the audience to respond using their smartphones or other devices. This fosters active participation and provides valuable feedback instantly.

3. Google Slides

Google Slides is a free cloud-based presentation software that not only offers collaboration features but also enables real-time interactions. It includes add-ons and third-party integrations to further enhance interactivity, making it an excellent choice for collaborative and engaging presentations.

4. Microsoft PowerPoint

PowerPoint, a classic presentation software, has evolved to incorporate more interactive features like live captions, real-time collaboration and interactive elements such as quizzes and forms. With its familiar interface and versatile functionalities, PowerPoint remains a reliable choice for interactive presentations.

5. Prezentor

Prezentor caters to sales-oriented presentations focusing on interactive storytelling and data-driven content. It offers analytics to track audience engagement and behavior during presentations, allowing you to fine-tune your approach and keep your audience hooked.

6. Opinion Stage

Opinion Stage is a visual and interactive data collection tool designed to engage and excite audiences whether sitting in a lecture hall, participating in a live Zoom, or watching an on-demand webinar. The Opinion Stage tools are simple and intuitive, making it easy to create attention-grabbing quizzes, surveys, and polls in minutes. A great way to spice up any presentation, encourage audience participation, and collect authentic feedback.

7 . Venngage

Venngage stands out as a versatile design tool that facilitates the creation of interactive infographics, data visualizations and presentations with ease. Offering various interactive elements and animations, Venngage empowers you to craft visually appealing and engaging presentations effortlessly.

With these interactive presentation software options at your disposal, you can unleash your creativity and deliver presentations that leave a lasting impact on your audience. So, go ahead and make your presentations interactive, captivating and memorable!

For more presentation software options, check out this blog on the 12 best presentation software for 2023.

Creating interactive presentations can be a game-changer for engaging your audience and enhancing your presentation skills, but steering clear of common pitfalls is essential. Here are some key mistakes to avoid when crafting your interactive presentations:

1. Overloading with interactivity

While interactivity is fantastic, bombarding your audience with too many interactive elements can backfire. Strive for a balanced approach that enhances engagement without overwhelming your listeners.

2. Ignoring audience relevance

Failing to tailor interactive elements to your audience’s interests and preferences can lead to disconnection. Make sure your interactions resonate with your specific audience for a more meaningful experience.

3. Not testing interactive elements

Skipping thorough testing of interactive features before showtime can spell disaster. Avoid technical glitches by diligently testing all interactive components in advance.

4. Poor timing and pace

Timing is everything, especially with interactive activities. Ensure seamless integration by planning your key points and the timing of your interactive elements carefully.

5. Lack of clear purpose

Every interactive element should serve a purpose and contribute to your presentation’s objectives. Don’t add interactions just for the sake of it — ensure they add value and align with your message.

6. Failing to engage beyond interactivity

While interactive elements are powerful tools, remember that content is king. Combine your interactive features with compelling storytelling and valuable insights to create an immersive and impactful presentation.

Incorporating animated slides into your interactive presentations enhances the overall appeal and interaction, turning an ordinary presentation into an engaging experience. Try it out with one of our animated presentation templates to get started. 

How do you start an interactive presentation?

Begin by grabbing the audience’s attention with an intriguing question or a surprising fact, setting the tone for a dynamic and engaging session.

Which type of presentation is the most interactive?

Workshops and seminars are often the most interactive types of presentations as they encourage active participation, discussions and hands-on activities.

How can interactive presentations enhance audience engagement?

Interactive presentations foster a two-way communication flow, involving the audience through polls, quizzes, discussions and multimedia elements, leading to increased interest, attentiveness and better retention of information.

What are some common interactive elements to include in a presentation?

Common interactive elements include clickable buttons, hyperlinked text, polls, quizzes, interactive charts, multimedia content and audience participation activities.

Can interactive presentations be used for educational purposes?

Absolutely! Interactive presentations are highly effective for educational purposes as they promote active learning, encourage critical thinking, and provide real-time feedback and knowledge exchange opportunities.

Need inspiration on how to give an engaging presentation ? Here are 120+ presentation ideas you could use. 

Venngage makes it easy for anyone to infuse interactivity into their presentations. From clickable buttons and hyperlinked text to interactive infographics and dynamic charts, Venngage offers a diverse range of interactive elements to captivate and engage the audience. Here’s how you can make your presentation more fun and interesting with Venngage:

• Sign up or log in to Venngage to access the platform.
• Choose a presentation template or start with a blank canvas to begin designing your interactive presentation.
• Add and edit slides in the Venngage editor to structure your presentation content effectively.
• Customize the design by selecting themes, fonts, colors and backgrounds to match your style and branding.
• Use interactive elements like buttons, links, pop-ups and hover effects to engage the audience during the presentation.
• Enhance engagement by incorporating interactive media such as videos and audio clips.
• Preview and test your entire presentation to ensure everything works smoothly before presenting it to your audience.
• Save your interactive presentation on Venngage and share it online or download it in various formats for presenting purposes.

Well, I hope these 15 5-minute interactive presentation examples can help unlock a new level of audience engagement for your next presentation. From fun quizzes and interactive storytelling to multimedia magic and gamified challenges, the possibilities are endless. So, don’t be afraid to experiment, tailor the ideas to suit your audience members and let your creativity shine.  

That said, remember to strike a balance and keep the interactivity purposeful and relevant. Some common mistakes to avoid when creating interactive slides include overloading the presentation with too many interactive elements and failing to align the interactive elements with the overall presentation goals and content. 

Got it? Great. Now let’s turn that boring presentation around!

Discover popular designs

Infographic maker

Brochure maker

White paper online

Newsletter creator

Flyer maker

Timeline maker

Letterhead maker

Mind map maker

Ebook maker

Visual Aids In Presentations: The Complete Guide

@danishd This is a sample bio. You can change it from WordPress Dashboard, Users → Biographical Info. Biographical Info

Published Date : August 21, 2020

Reading Time :

A picture, they say, is worth a thousand words. Using visual aids in presentations helps you pass a lot of information in a relatively shorter time. With the right visual aids, you can create the desired impact that you want your presentation to make on your audience. Learning how to use visual aids effectively will boost the quality of your presentations. We discuss some of the top visual aids in our recent YouTube video :

Visual Aid Definition

What are visual aids? Simply put, visual aids are things that your listening can look at while you give your speech or presentation. Visual aid appeals to the audience’s vision more than any other sensory organ.

Why use visuals for presentations?

There is no such thing as a perfect speech . However, there are ways to make a presentation closer to perfection. What are they? Simple: Visual aids. Visual aids can bring life back into a tedious speech , and they take less time to come up with than long notes. This article discusses how you can use visual aids effectively and conquer an audience. Before that, we discuss how visuals can help you achieve a better presentation.

They help you structure your work.

Using the right types of visual aids can help you create a perfect picture of what you want your audience to see in your presentations. Instead of struggling to condense a lot of information into a long text, you can present your information in one straightforward image or video and save yourself the stress.

It is easier to engage the audience.

An excellent visual setup can help elicit audience interest and sometimes their input in the presentation. When the audience is engaged, they tend to be more interested in the presenter’s work. Also, an interactive audience can boost your morale and encourage you.

You save time on your presentation.

When presenting, time is of the essence. So, you can effectively reduce your presentation time if you have useful visual aids and use them properly. Would you prefer to go on and on for minutes about a topic when you can cut your speech down by inserting a few images or videos?

What are visual aids?

A visual aid is any material that gives shape and form to words or thoughts. Types of visual aids include physical samples, models, handouts, pictures, videos, infographics, etc. Visual aids have come a long way, including digital tools such as overhead projectors, PowerPoint presentations, and interactive boards.

Different Types Of Creative Visual Aid Ideas To Awe Your Audience

Have you ever been tasked with making a speech or a presentation but don’t know how to make it truly remarkable? Well, visual aid is your answer.

Giving a presentation or speech is hard. You have to strike a balance between persuading or informing your audience while also maintaining their attention. The fear of your audience slipping away is very real. And a visual aid can help.

We surveyed the Orai community to vote for their preferred visual aid. Here are the top ten creative visual aid ideas that you could use in your next presentation:

Videos emerged as the clear winner in all our surveys. We ran these surveys on all our social handles and contacted successful speakers. 27.14% of all respondents prefer visual aids because they are easy to understand, can be paused during a presentation, and can trigger all sorts of emotions. That being said, it is also very tough to create good videos. However, more and more tools are available to help you create amazing videos without professional help.

Hans Rosling’s TED talk, titled ‘the best stats you have ever seen,’ is one of the best speeches.  He uses video for the speech ’s entirety while not diverting the audience’s attention away from him. He does all this while also bringing out some optimism for the world’s future. We highly recommend this TED talk to learn how to use videos effectively as a visual aid and inject some positivity into your lives during these trying times.

2. Demonstrations

Demonstrations, also known as demos, are undoubtedly among the most effective visual aids for communication. You can use demonstrations in two ways. One as a hook to captivate your audience. Prof. Walter Lewin was famous for using demonstrations as a hook during lectures. In his most famous lecture, he puts his life in danger by releasing a heavy pendulum to show that a pendulum’s period remains constant despite the mass. 

Demonstrations can also be used to show how some things are done or work. We use demonstrations to showcase how Orai works and how you can use them to improve your speaking skills.

18.57% voted for demonstrations because they are unique, interactive, up close, and have a personal touch.

3. Roleplays

Jokes aside, why do you think comedy shows are memorable? You guessed it right. Roleplays! Role – play is any speaking activity when you put yourself into somebody else’s shoes or stay in your shoes but put yourself into an imaginary situation! 

Nothing is more boring than a comedian delivering lines straight from a joke book.  Legendary comedians like George Carlin, Kevin Hart, Chris Rock, and Bill Burr use roleplays effectively and make a mundane joke genuinely memorable. 

Jokes aside, you can use roleplays in business presentations and speeches. Use real-life stories or examples in your role plays to make them authentic. 

15.71% of the survey respondents voted for roleplays because they are very close to real life and do not take the audience’s attention away from the speaker.

With 12.86% of the votes, Props is number 4. A prop is any concrete object used to deliver a speech or presentation. Props add another dimension to our speech and help the listeners visualize abstract concepts like vision, milestones, targets, and expectations. It ties verbal to visual. Introducing a prop into your speech or presentation should not seem forced. Use them sparingly to highlight your address’s most critical points or stories.

People voted for props because they feel 3D visualization is more useful than 2D visualization. Props will make your presentations stand out because few people use them today.

When we sent out the survey to the Orai community and some highly successful speakers, we were sure that slides/presentations would come out on top. However, we were surprised by the results. With 12.86% votes, slides are number five on our list.

Presentations are effortless to create and, therefore, the most commonly used visual aid in business communications. Today, dozens of software programs are available to help you make beautiful presentations. Microsoft PowerPoint is the pioneer in the space and holds a significant market share.

Whatever is your preferred software, you need to keep your audience at the center while making presentations.

People described the ease of creation and the ability to incorporate other visual aids when asked why they chose presentations as their top visual aid.

The inclusion of Audio in this list can appear controversial. But it got a significant vote share in our survey and cannot be ignored. Audio can add a new dimension to your presentations where the audience is hearing your voice and other sound cues that can trigger various emotional responses. Especially when coupled with other visual aids, audio can be a powerful tool for making impactful presentations.

Vote share:

Audio aid is number six, with 4.29% of the votes.

7. Handouts

What is a handout.

A handout is a structured view of your presentation or speech that you can distribute to the audience.

What are the benefits of a handout?

Like how this blog gives more information than our YouTube video on the different visual aids, handouts can be used to furnish more information than your discourse itself. They give your audience something to take away after your presentation, making you and your presentation more memorable. 

Are you going to be speaking about something overly technical? Then handouts are your friends. Handouts are also an opportunity to facilitate follow-ups if you specify your contact details. 

Handouts are tied with whiteboards and got 2.86% of the votes in our survey.

8. Physical & Online Whiteboards

What is a whiteboard.

Traditionally, whiteboards are white, shiny, and smooth boards on which texts and diagrams are made using non-permanent markers. It is widely used in professional presentations, brainstorming sessions, and group discussions. Post-COVID, more and more companies are moving to online whiteboards. Online whiteboards are software that provides a space where individuals across the globe can collaborate online. Many companies have moved beyond the whiteboard and started using online whiteboards for meetings and discussions.

What are the benefits of a whiteboard?

A whiteboard helps listeners better visualize thoughts, concepts, and ideas. It is also a better alternative to the blackboard for a smaller audience as it is tidier and easier to use. Online whiteboards can be used instead of traditional whiteboards without being limited by space constraints. Online whiteboards will transform virtual meetings into a collaborative experience.

With 2.86% of the votes, whiteboards stand at eight on our list.

9. Blackboard

What is a blackboard.

A blackboard (aka chalkboard) is a surface on which texts or diagrams are made using chalk made from calcium sulfate or calcium carbonate. Blackboards are typically used in classrooms for large groups of students. 

What are the benefits of blackboards?

Blackboard is one of the foremost and most popular teaching aids. Blackboard is useful for teaching as it helps instructors move from easy to complex topics in an organized manner. Diagrams, symbols, charts, and drawings can be introduced in discourse to bring life to rather dull topics. Blackboards are highly interactive, where the teacher and students can participate during a speech . 

With 1.43% of the vote share, the blackboard stands at the bottom, along with flipcharts.

10. Flipchart

What is a flipchart.

Flipcharts consist of a pad of large sheets of paper bound together. It is typically fixed to the upper edge of a whiteboard or canvas. Flipcharts are easy to create and inexpensive fit for small groups of people.

What are the benefits of presenting using a flipchart?

Nowadays, everybody seems only interested in making presentations powered by computer-generated slide decks. However, the flip chart has its charm. Since most presentations consist of less than ten people, flip charts can be a refreshing change to the standard slide deck. Moreover, flipchart does not require electricity. No electricity and no software means fewer of those last-minute hick-ups. 

Flipchart got 1.43% of the vote and shared the bottom position with its counterpart, which we will discuss in the next section.

Master the art of speech , practice with Orai

How to make an informative speech with visual aids in presentations

If you have a presentation coming up soon, you can follow the instructions below to learn how you can take advantage of visual aids: 

Determine your overall objective

The aim of your presentations depends on you, what information is being presented, and your audience. The motivational speaker and the classroom teacher may approach the same types of visual aids differently due to differences in overall objectives. For instance, if you aim to inspire and remind your audience of salient points, a poster template should serve well; infographics work well when trying to show relationships between complex information. A chart will be quite effective if you seek to explain a given data set.

Choose appropriate visual aids in presentations.

After identifying the overall aim of your presentation, you have to match it with the right visual aids example. Will a graph, picture, or video suffice?  

If you use the PowerPoint Presenter, focus mainly on the media that best conveys your message. Make sure that the notes you add are bold and brief. Try to keep your sentence in one line of text.

Prepare thoroughly 

You will spend some time preparing your visual aids before the day of your presentation. It is good to allow yourself enough time to prepare so you can perfect your work accordingly. Take note of when, where, and how you will use your visual aids. If you discover some inconsistencies, you can compensate for them by adjusting your choice or using visual aids in presentations.

After you have a final draft of your visual aids, run a series of sessions with them. Let your friends or colleagues be your audience and ask for their honest feedback. Make appropriate adjustments where necessary.

During presentation

First, you need to be comfortable and confident. A neat and appropriate dress should boost your confidence . Follow the tips below during presentations.

• Keep your face on your audience. It may help to look a little above their heads while presenting.
• Only point to or take the visual aid when needed. When you do, explain what you mean immediately.
• Do not read texts on your visual aids verbatim.
• Once a visual aid has served its purpose, you should keep it away from your audience’s view.

If you need more help boosting your confidence , we have written a detailed piece on how to conquer your fear of speaking in front of people.

What is the importance of using visuals in giving a presentation?

Visual aids in presentations are invaluable to you and the audience you hope to enlighten. They make the job easier for you, and the audience leaves feeling like they learned something. Apart from their time-saving abilities, here are some reasons why you need to incorporate visual aids in your presentations:

• Visual aids can help your audience retain the information long-term. 
• The human brain processes images faster than text, so visuals make us understand things faster.
• Using visual aids makes your presentations more enjoyable, interactive, and memorable.
• Visual aids help your audience connect and relate with you better
• Presentations with visual aids are less likely to be misunderstood or misrepresented. They are usually easier to understand and leave little room for confusion
• Visual designs help stimulate cognition and they are great for people with learning disabilities.
• Visual aids act as key cards and pointers for the presenter and help you keep track of what you’re saying

What are the ideas for speech topics using visual aids?

• Use a picture or image that closely represents the topic. A one-hundred-dollar note can suggest topics revolving around money and finances.
• Use a chart showing trends or statistics that your audience finds appealing. You can use popular sayings or quotes to generate topics your audience can relate to.
• Newspaper headlines on related issues can be good starters for opinion-based topics.

Why is the use of color important in presentations, according to research?

Color plays a crucial role in presentations, boosting audience engagement with its ability to enhance motivation and create visually appealing visuals. By understanding color theory and using shades thoughtfully, presenters can ensure their work is professional and organized and accessible to a diverse audience, considering color blindness and cultural associations.

What are the key points to consider when using visual aids in a presentation?

Ensure effective and engaging visuals in your presentation by considering the space, practicing beforehand, utilizing and limiting color strategically (considering color blindness), and maintaining consistency throughout your presentation.

What are some tips for using objects or artifacts as visual aids in presentations?

Objects in presentations can captivate your audience! Choose relevant objects for demonstrations or explanations. In small groups, pass the object around but manage time. For larger audiences, move it around for clear visibility. Reveal the object at the right moment with context and explanation. If demonstrating, use deliberate movements and explain each step clearly to keep them engaged.

What are some tips for using visual aids to engage the audience and maintain their interest?

Capture and keep your audience’s attention with impactful visuals! Ensure clear visibility, maintain eye contact, and use visuals to complement your spoken words, not replace them. Explain each visual promptly and remove it seamlessly when finished to refocus attention on your message.

How can visual aids be tailored to suit the audience and make the presentation more effective?

Craft impactful presentations by tailoring visuals to your audience and goals. Choose relevant and resonant visuals, be it a graph, picture, or video, accompanied by clear, concise notes. Prepare thoroughly, refining visuals and considering timing, context, and integration. Seek feedback to fine-tune for optimal audience connection.

How should one prepare and use visual aids effectively during a presentation?

Prepare polished visuals beforehand, considering timing, context, and integration. Seek feedback. During your presentation, prioritize clarity , avoid overwhelming the audience, and use visuals purposefully to enhance, not replace, your message. Practice beforehand and maintain audience engagement through confident delivery.

The visual aid definition is very clear on how much impact using visual aids in public speaking has on an audience. With a great selection of visual aids, you can transform your presentations into a pleasant experience that you and your audience will always look forward to.

Become a confident speaker. Practice with Orai and get feedback on your tone,  tempo, conciseness , and confidence .

You might also like

2023 Complete Guide to Presentation Templates 📊

How to improve your speaking skills: 50 experts reveal their secrets [In...

Quick links.

• Presentation Topics

Useful Links

• Start free trial
• The art of public speaking
• improve public speaking
• mastering public speaking
• public speaking coach
• professional speaking
• public speaking classes - Courses
• public speaking anxiety
• © Orai 2023

10 Interactive Presentation Ideas for Organisers & Speakers

It’s easy to create a simple PowerPoint presentation. You write the content, add some images, and add the information to your slides. And voilá — a presentation.

But in a world with endless content at our fingertips, is a simple PowerPoint presentation enough to hold your audience’s attention? After all, most people tune out of PowerPoint presentations after 10 minutes .

So, you need to ensure that your presentation holds your audience’s attention.

Every part of your presentation needs to be crafted with your audience in mind to keep them interested in what you’re saying. This is where interactive presentations can help.

In this article, we’ll show you what an interactive presentation is, why they’re important, and 10 ways to make your next presentation more interactive and fun for your audience. 

What is an interactive presentation? 

An interactive presentation is when the audience actively participates and engages with the speaker and the content being delivered. For example, instead of reading a monotonous PowerPoint presentation, you can make it come alive by interacting with your audience and getting them involved.

Engaging your listeners works both in-person and online. Think of activities, discussions, or technology that encourage your audience to take part in some way. The aim is to make the presentation more fun and memorable.

Why are interactive presentations important for event planners and speakers?

Let’s take a look at some of the reasons interactive presentations are important from the perspective of the people involved in organising and executing the event.

To engage your audience 

Engaging the audience from the offset is a great way to keep them interested throughout the rest of your presentation. 

Put yourself in the shoes of an attendee for a second. 

You’re at a presentation where the speaker runs a quick poll at the beginning of the presentation. Everyone in the audience uses their phones to submit their answers to the poll, and then the speaker discusses the results as part of the presentation. 

How would you feel in this situation? Would it pique your interest for the rest of the event and make you feel more engaged? Would it draw you out of your Instagram scrolling?

By playing an active role in the presentation, you’re instantly a part of it. It grabs your attention and keeps you focused on the rest of the talk. 

To enhance learning and retention 

When participants are more engaged, they’re likely to retain information longer. Take a look at this academic research as an example. 

The study compares long-term memory retention between active and traditional learning. Active learning is a learning method where students participate in discussions, problem-solving, and other activities. Traditional learning is the old-fashioned set-up where students sit in a classroom and listen to the teacher. 

The study found that participants who took part in active training had higher test scores one month after the training session than those who received traditional training.

In other words, active learners had better long-term retention of the new information.

To build trust

Interactive presentations help you capture your audience’s attention and build a connection with them right from the start. And when attendees feel connected to the speaker, they’re more likely to trust them and listen attentively.

It could be something as simple as a question-and-answer session with the speaker and the audience.

By encouraging the audience to participate, speakers show that they value their listeners’ thoughts and opinions.

This can help establish a relationship between the presenter and the audience, which is beneficial in a variety of events — from educational lectures and conferences to sales presentations and pitches. 

10 interactive presentation ideas that’ll engage your audience

Take a look at these 10 interactive presentation ideas that’ll hook your audience and build rapport. Plus, we’ll show you how to use these ideas in your own presentations. 

1. Start with an icebreaker

An icebreaker breaks down barriers and makes everyone feel more relaxed at an event (or in any other professional setting).

Here are a few icebreaker examples you might want to include in your next presentation: 

• Two truths, one lie. Everyone tells two truths and one lie about themselves, and everyone else has to guess which statement is the lie. 
• Survivor. You create a fictional emergency scenario (like being stranded on a desert island) that everyone has to figure out how to escape.
• The perfect vacation. Participants get into pairs and describe their ideal vacation to each other. Then, they must each describe their partner’s trip to the group as best they can. 

Although icebreakers are a simple way to get your audience involved in your presentation, they’re better suited to small groups. With too many people, it can be pretty overwhelming. 

Fortunately, an online game like Quiplash from Jackbox Games can help you run an icebreaker for a large group. 

Using Jackbox TV , participants can use their phones to take part in an online icebreaker. You create the questions, and everyone has a chance to submit an answer.

2. Use interactive video 

Interactive video gives your audience a visual medium to engage with and breaks up the monotony of delivering a slide-by-slide PowerPoint presentation. 

There are a couple of ways to incorporate interactive video in your presentation: 

• Use a digitally interactive video. A digitally interactive video allows the audience to click or tap certain elements. For example, if you’re delivering a presentation about health and safety in the workplace, you can use an interactive video to get your audience to click whenever they spot something that requires attention. All participants will need access to a phone or digital device to do this. 
• Stop and start an existing video. Use an existing video and ask the audience to raise their hands when spotting certain things. You could ask the audience to watch a video with workplace scenarios and raise their hand when they spot something unacceptable. A clip from The Office would be a fun and entertaining example to use here!

3. Use visual aids to get your audience involved 

Visual aids can make your presentation more persuasive and more effective at getting people to take action. They can also help participants retain information for longer, as this quote from Dr. Lynell Burmark outlines: 

“Words are processed by our short-term memory where we can only retain about seven bits of information […]. Images, on the other hand, go directly into long-term memory where they are indelibly etched.”

When delivering an interactive presentation, you can get participants to hold, manoeuvre, and handle the visual aids to make it even more engaging. 

Imagine that you’re trying to deliver a presentation about the history of marketing. To make it interactive, you might ask some audience members to stand along a timeline to represent different events in the marketing history timeline.

You could even turn it into a puppet show. A presentation would certainly be a unique take on visual aids in a presentation, which is sure to create a memorable (and funny) experience!

4. Encourage people to take part in a narrative

Engage with your audience by creating a narrative around your presentation, then asking them to take part in it.

For example, if you’re presenting to a room full of baristas, you could start your presentation by telling a story about your experience with coffee. Then, you can ask for their input to build the narrative or ask them to share their own experiences. As a result, they’re taking part in the presentation by contributing to the story.

Take a look at an example from across the pond — the Drunk Theatre Improv Show in California as an example of engaging the audience in your narrative.

At the Drunk Theatre Company’s shows, the audience and the performers collaborate to create the story. As a result, the audience becomes part of the show, which makes it more entertaining.

Pro tip: A compelling and interactive story can hook your audience and engage them for the entire presentation. So, try to weave the narrative through the entire event to keep people interested.

5. Host a Q&A with the audience

People’s attention spans naturally dwindle over time. In fact, a study from King’s College London found that almost half of people think that their attention spans are shorter than they used to be.

With a closing Q&A, you can re-engage with your audience and give them a chance to have their questions answered.

Here are a few tips for hosting a Q&A:

• Set clear expectations. Explain the purpose, format, and guidelines for the Q&A session at the beginning to make sure guests know what to expect and how to participate.
• Create a safe and respectful environment. To encourage people to take part, foster an atmosphere where participants feel comfortable asking questions without fear of judgement or criticism. To do this, make sure that you (or the event speaker) answer questions with sincerity and consideration.
• Repeat or paraphrase questions. Help other attendees understand questions by repeating or rephrasing each question before answering. That way, you can make sure everyone has the clarity and context to understand your answers.

Pro tip: Have someone in the venue available to head over to the audience and offer a microphone. If you’re doing the event online , be sure to select people to ask questions to avoid everyone talking simultaneously. 

6. Involve the audience in a panel discussion 

You can host an interactive panel discussion to run a lively debate by running a continuous Q&A session throughout the panel.

Here’s how it works:

• The event speaker lets the audience know they can continually ask questions throughout the event via an online platform like Eventbrite’s , which integrates with the most popular video conference tools.
• Participants submit questions (anonymously if they wish) for the panel to discuss.
• Questions keep coming in throughout the event based on where the topic of conversation goes.

By hosting your panel discussion this way, you give the audience some control over the discussion, which makes them feel fully engaged in the conversation.

Pro tip: Be sure to notify the audience beforehand that there’ll be an interactive panel so they have their phones available for the event. You can also use Eventbrite’s events management platform to communicate with attendees before the event to let them know.

7. Ask the audience questions

Ask the audience questions and get them to raise their hands depending on which answers they agree with. It doesn’t take much preparation, but it still involves the audience and holds their attention, which is what you’re trying to achieve.

Think about a tech event as an example. An event host might ask participants what topics they think are the most important in tech in the current year. The host provides some options and asks everyone to raise their hands based on what they agree with. 

After everyone has raised their hands, the speaker will discuss the results with the attendees as part of the presentation. 

Pro tip: Make sure you word the question clearly so everyone can easily participate. Don’t leave it open to interpretation, as this might prevent people from taking part. Plus, it could have a negative impact on their focus and how much they trust the speaker. 

8. Run a poll 

Ask participants to take part in a live poll and share the results as part of the presentation. This will help your audience feel involved and give them a chance to share their thoughts and opinions. 

For example, if you’re hosting an event about remote work, you could create a poll about people’s perceptions of remote work. This could include questions like:

• Are you more productive working at home? 
• Do you miss the office environment while working at home? 

Then, when everyone answers these questions, you can present the results and discuss them with the audience.

If you’re wondering how to run live polls during an event, take a look at Mentimeter . This platform lets you create interactive poll questions and easily share the results during your presentation.

Pro tip: Set a timeframe for people to complete the poll to make sure it doesn’t create a lull in the presentation flow. You should also be prepared to discuss the results off the cuff, as there might be some trends you weren’t prepared for.

9. Have participants use augmented reality

If you really want to create a memorable and engaging presentation, consider using augmented reality (AR).

Let’s say you want to show your audience a new product. With AR, you can design the product before the presentation and allow everyone to view it on their mobile devices — in the exact room you’re presenting in. 

You can also use it to create games and make presentations more fun for everyone. Just take Pokemon Go as an example. With this game, people can go to different locations to ‘catch’ new Pokemon with their phones. You can use a similar concept to create an activity or game during the presentation or as part of a break.

Take a look at Adobe Aero to find out more about how to use AR and how it can help you create an unforgettable experience for your guests. 

10. Consider running an unconference 

Unlike having a pre-set schedule, an unconference involves attendees deciding all of the topics of discussion, making it an engaging and compelling event. 

Let’s say that the topic for your unconference is ‘digital marketing in 2024’. The attendees want to discuss artificial intelligence, influencers, and social media. You consolidate their suggestions, and then attendees can take part in discussion groups.

Have a look at Venquis ’ Tackling AI & Diversity agenda as an example:

• What diversity means to us
• Unlocking diversity in tech jobs
• Why data teams thrive, IT struggles
• Attract & retain diverse talent
• Build a diverse talent pipeline
• Redefining work for inclusivity.

They leave all the discussion slots open for the attendees to decide on the topic and then have a roundtable discussion for each topic. 

Pro tip from Eventbrite: This type of event can be tricky if you’re doing it for the first time. Do a trial run with your event team members to make sure you know how the process works and what you need to do at every stage. 

Turn your interactive presentation idea into reality

If you’re planning to host a presentation, consider incorporating interactive presentation ideas like the ones we’ve described above. This will boost your audience engagement and ensure your event remains in your attendees’ memories for years to come.

To streamline your organisation’s process, use Eventbrite to plan your event . With our event management software, you can sell tickets, communicate with attendees, and track the performance of all your events in one location.

Are you ready to grow your next event?

• WAS THIS ARTICLE HELPFUL?

SPREAD THE WORD

about the author

Noelle Buhidar

Noelle Buhidar is the Global Head of Content Marketing at Eventbrite and former Editor-in-Chief for The Real Deal by RetailMeNot. She's passionate about helping event organizers plan events, market to the right audiences, grow their businesses, and sell more tickets. When she's not at work, she's likely at a concert — either in her hometown of Austin, TX, or another city (experiencing live music in new places is one of her favorite ways to get to know local culture). She lives by the mantra, "Give me experiences, not stuff." And that motto is what fuels her purpose in and outside of Eventbrite.

You might also like these

Home Blog Presentation Ideas 10+ Outstanding PowerPoint Presentation Examples and Templates

10+ Outstanding PowerPoint Presentation Examples and Templates

Nobody said it’s easy to make a PowerPoint presentation . There are multiple design decisions to consider, like which layout is appropriate for the content you have to present, font pairing, color schemes, and whether to use animated elements or not. 

Making these choices when working under the clock is overwhelming for most people, especially if you only intend to make a report more visually appealing. For this very reason, we curated a selection of 11 good PowerPoint presentation examples categories in different niches to give you insights into what’s valued and how to take your presentations to a professional quality. All the templates used on each case will be linked for easy access.

Table of Contents

General Guidelines for Professional-Quality PowerPoint Presentations

Business pitch powerpoint presentation examples, marketing plan powerpoint presentation examples, company profile powerpoint presentation examples, quarterly/annual results presentation examples, project proposal presentation examples, training presentation examples, change management presentation examples, industry analysis presentation examples, financial planning examples, inspirational presentation examples, academic presentation examples, final words.

Before introducing our presentation slide examples, we need to discuss a list of factors that transform an average slide into a professional-quality one. 

Design Principles

For any professional-level slide deck, a consistent layout, color scheme, and font pairing are required throughout the presentation. The slides should remain uncluttered, with proper care of white balance across their composition, and stick to the 10-20-30 rule of presentations ’s concept of one concept per slide. 

Contrast between text and background color must comply with web design accessibility standards , meaning to work with a 4.5:1 contrast ratio for normal text, with exceptions for larger text. You can find more information in our article on accessibility for presentations .

A general rule in any graphic design project is to stick with fonts with ample legibility, like Arial, Helvetica, or Calibri. These are known as sans-serif fonts, and they work better than serif ones (i.e., Times New Roman) for larger text blocks.

Avoid using more than two different font families in your presentation; otherwise, the overall design will lose cohesion. Since you ought to ensure readability, the minimum size for body text should be 18pt, opting for larger variations and/or bold text for titles.

Using a combination of font pairing and font sizing helps create a hierarchy in your slides’ written content. For more insights on this topic, browse our article on fonts for presentations .

Color Scheme

Sticking to a color palette selection is one of the first design decisions to make when creating a custom slide deck . Colors have their own psychological impact on presentations, as explained in our article on color theory , so presenters must stick to 3-4 colors to avoid mixing up content in the slides. That being said, the colors have to be carefully selected according to the typical color scheme configurations, and using contrast to highlight key points on presentation slides.

Slide Layout

We can apply multiple graphic design guidelines to create professional-quality presentation slides, but in order to simplify the process, here are the key points to take into account:

• Grids and Guides: Divide your slide into sections using guides in PowerPoint or Google Slides. Then, you can build a grid that helps place elements and catch the viewer’s interest as they follow a logical flow while looking at the slide.
• Whitespace : Empty space is not your enemy. Slides shouldn’t be dense or feel hard on the eyes to read; therefore, work with a minimum of 30% whitespace.

Multimedia Elements

According to our expertise, video presentations and animation effects certainly increase the retention rate of the content you present. This is because they reduce the tiresome 2D presentation layout and add dynamism to the slides. Testing their functionality across different devices is a must to incorporate these elements into your presentation, especially if we consider that not all PowerPoint animation effects are compatible with Google Slides animations . 

Sound can be distracting in many scenarios unless you opt for an interactive presentation and require an audio track for an exercise. Action buttons in the form of quizzes or multiple-choice questions are fine examples of how we can integrate hyperlinks in interactive presentations.

The first professional PowerPoint example we will cover is when creating a problem slide business pitch. This selected business pitch PPT template has a 50/50 image-to-content balance that allows us to add images from our organization (or stick to the corporate placeholder image design) and quickly summarize the issue or need that our business aims to solve.

Remember that the selected colors for the text background area and text color are not 100% pure values—they are slight variations to reduce eye strain, making this slide a perfect choice for any kind of meeting room. Ideally, you can present up to three different problems to solve; otherwise, the text will look too small.

Another fine example of a PowerPoint presentation comes at the time of delivering an elevator pitch . As we all know, this concise presentation format requires a considerable amount of presentation aids to briefly expose each point in the speech under the allotted time frame. In this Revenue Model slide, we can find the answers to typical questions that help us shape the speech, all of them with icons and cues to remember from which areas the information comes.

If we aim to create a sponsorship pitch deck , it is important to bring proof of past sponsorship experiences to build our credibility in front of prospective sponsors. With this best PPT template tailored for sponsorship pitch presentations, we can display such data in an attractive visual format. The neat layout balances whitespace with content, with three distinctive KPI areas to talk about your history in sponsorship experiences. 

Talk about the market segmentation strategies of your marketing plan with this creative infographic template. This slide clearly illustrates that not all examples of PowerPoint presentations follow the same structure in terms of graphics-to-text balance. You can introduce data on how purchasing habits, user status, and brand loyalty influence buying decisions. Present key information about demographic & geographic segmentation and how psychographic information can provide deeper insights into consumer motivations to purchase.

Another PowerPoint example comes in the format of presenting market opportunities in marketing plans . You can list up to four points, which can be extracted from the outcomes of a SWOT analysis or from retrieved data from polls or stakeholders’ insights. The icons are entirely editable, and the crisp layout makes readability much easier.

Marketing agencies can benefit from this presentation PowerPoint example, which illustrates how easy it is to customize the content and repurpose slides for different client meetings. This and the other slides of this marketing plan slide deck allow professionals to discuss their expertise, past projects, and proposals for their target clients. In this case, the agency in question is offering insights on their work ethics through a clean slide layout with icons to flag key areas.

Our next PPT presentation example is suited for a Company Profile presentation in which we have to disclose key financial data. Thanks to the pie chart, presenters can segment revenue streams or do a balance between investments and profit. Additionally, the box placeholders allow us to deepen our knowledge of precise areas of interest.

Organizations who are looking to create a company profile can opt for a one-page arrangement to introduce the team members in charge, the overall services or products, the business model, the market, competitors, and relevant strategy information. The text boxes placed in the right area are a perfect opportunity to highlight KPIs.

In any company profile presentation, we have to introduce the organization’s Mission and Vision Statements. This presentation sample slide allows us to creatively discuss those topics. Including icons, users can summarize the primary aspects of their mission statement in one single, professionally styled slide.

Quarterly reports don’t need to be depicted as boring PDF files. We can work with clean layouts that provide information in an easy-to-follow format that focuses on the core elements of the report. This quarterly report presentation example is perfect for detailed reports as we cover all essentials in a one-page format for an employee’s performance review.

If, instead, you opt for a department-by-department approach, this slide presentation example illustrates two out of four quarters in the annual report. You can compare the product’s performance by production, allowing room to perform further optimizations based on sales behavior.

The construction industry requires a detailed presentation that covers all planned and contingency strategies for a project. Such an approach builds trust in the client, and that’s why we believe this PPT template for contractors is an essential tool for securing business deals. This presentation example template shows how to deliver a project proposal in style with accurate cost estimates.

A generic PPT project proposal template allows us to repurpose the slide for many projects—ideal for agencies, consultants, and academics. With this visual project proposal timeline, you can discuss the different stages of a project, plan for resources (both material and workforce), seek funding, or prepare for contingencies.

Once the project proposal’s core aspects are approved, teams must align efforts for project deliverables, acceptance criteria, and delivery format. This PPT presentation example illustrates a slide in a multi-team meeting to fine-tune aspects of the project deliverables, with an accurate representation of the due date and expected products.

Team training requires a framework in which the objectives of the workshop, coaching, or mentoring programs are laid out for management. HR teams can benefit from this presentation example by summarizing the objectives about missed business opportunities or expansion plans for the organization.

Before even delivering a training program, HR teams discuss the content to cover with the head of each department, mainly to spot any missing area of knowledge required for optimal operations. Presenters can repurpose this slide for that kind of training proposal presentation or the training presentation itself.

Intended for the early planning stages of a training program, this diagram is a well-rounded presentation example of how to discuss all points in one single slide, from the training budget to how to process employee feedback. We can expand each of these six topics in companionship slides.

Companies undergoing change management processes can opt to apply the DMAIC or the ADKAR frameworks to orient the workforce. This presentation slide allows management to compare both methodologies and pick the one best suited for their organization.

Since data sharing is delicate in charge management situations, implementing an information flow diagram is a good practice to orient your team, get the new owners or management the required information, and exchange information between departments.

For change management directed at process optimization, this example slide allows management to stress the importance between the current situation and the expected improved state. This PPT template can also introduce the different milestones per stage and involve the management parties per area.

Startups often present their industry analysis to procure investment from venture capitalists. This industry analysis presentation example showcases a typical FinTech segmentation. Presenters can describe the different types of crowdfunding, credit, and factoring services and provide examples of companies or platforms in each subcategory. They can discuss areas like asset management, payments, and other relevant aspects in detail, with successful stories from referents that helped shape their business model.

STEEPLE stands for Social, Technological, Economic, Ethical, Political, Legal, and Environmental factors. This framework allows us to perform a multidimensional industry analysis in which stakeholders can evaluate the appropriate approaches for venturing into a new business niche, renewing their overall strategy, or pursuing new goals based on recent industry changes, even those we don’t initially acknowledge.

The Gap Analysis concept compares a company’s current status to a desired future state. By doing so, organizations can identify deficits or areas that require improvement in alignment with the future state. Presenters can work with this metaphorical gap analysis template and express the need for a plan that bridges such a gap.

The next example of a PowerPoint presentation is oriented to the financial area, in which a consultant can refer to an organization’s asset management. By Scope, we imply the extent and boundaries of the asset management activities within an organization. It outlines what will be included in the asset management plan and what will not. On the other hand, Inventory points to a comprehensive and detailed list of all the assets owned by an organization. It includes essential information about each asset to facilitate effective management.

In financial presentations, the information must be clearly arranged so decisions can be made easily. In this case, we observe how a financial dashboard template can represent an organization’s relevant KPIs.

Think about TEDx presentations or Pecha-Kucha . They all have one factor in common: quality graphics to talk about inspirational stories. Graphics can feel overwhelming for some presenters, which ends in picking low-quality pictures or stock images unsuitable for the context of your slide deck. For this reason, we highly recommend you implement vector illustrations into your motivational presentation slides. Easy to customize, they are a valuable asset to mix & match PPT templates and create your custom deck.

Aligning efforts toward a common goal requires a powerful visual communication language. Images are easier to retain than words, so imagine adding a storytelling factor and turning a goal into a mountain to conquer. Presenters can work with this mountain PPT template and signal the different milestones to reach prior to fulfilling a significant goal for the company/organization.

Another take in inspirational presentations is when we need to share our success stories with investors or in networking environments to inspire others. With this roadmap PPT template, presenters can go stage by stage and present the key stages that made them reach their success, or even project for expected goals to achieve.

Academic presentations don’t have to look dull or excessively formal. We can incorporate a sleek layout into our slides and use icons to highlight key points. In this case, we observe a project overview for a research project, and the icons represent the main aspects to cover in this research.

A thesis presentation requires properly introducing the methodology to demonstrate the hypothesis. Rather than adding complex figures, we can work with a minimalistic slide design and briefly describe the research methods. This slide deck is suitable for thesis presentations as well as academic projects, research papers , and more.

As we can see, counting with a professionally designed slide deck makes a difference in how your presentation is perceived by the audience. By working with SlideModel PowerPoint templates, we can reuse and repurpose our slide templates as often as required or mix elements from different slides seen in these PowerPoint presentation examples to create uniquely styled slide decks.

Like this article? Please share

Presentation Approaches, Presentation Ideas Filed under Presentation Ideas

Related Articles

Filed under Google Slides Tutorials • May 22nd, 2024

How to Add Audio to Google Slides

Making your presentations accessible shouldn’t be a hard to accomplish task. Learn how to add audios to Google Slides and improve the quality and accessibility of your presentations.

Filed under Design • May 22nd, 2024

Exploring the 12 Different Types of Slides in PowerPoint

Become a better presenter by harnessing the power of the 12 different types of slides in presentation design.

Filed under Design , Presentation Ideas • May 1st, 2024

The Power of Mind Map Note Taking for Presenters

Add a new tool to your repertoire of presentation skills by mastering the art of mind map note taking. An ideal process to facilitate content retention.

Leave a Reply

Like what you're reading?

How to create and deliver a winning team presentation

Get your team on prezi – watch this on demand video.

Anete Ezera May 31, 2024

Team presentations are about creating a dynamic experience for your audience whilst working together to share valuable information.

You might need to do a team presentation in various situations. For example, in a school project, a team presentation lets each member highlight their contributions. In the workplace, team presentations are great for updating projects, pitching ideas to clients, or sharing research findings with stakeholders. 

Using a platform like Prezi can really boost your team’s presentation. Let’s look at what makes team presentations effective and how you can create a successful one.

Team presentations explained

So what exactly is a team presentation? Simply put, in a team presentation you’re working with others to share information or ideas. Each person brings their strengths and viewpoints, making the presentation more engaging.

Typically, the team divides the content so everyone has a part to focus on. This involves planning, creating visual aids like slides, and practicing together. The goal is to ensure everything flows smoothly and the message is clear. By combining everyone’s efforts, you end up with a presentation that effectively shares your team’s insights and knowledge.

How to create a great team presentation: a step-by-step guide

When done right, team presentations can be a really rewarding experience for everyone involved. To make sure the creation process runs smoothly, follow this step-by-step guide.

1. Gather your team

To start, you need to get everybody together. Use this opportunity to discuss the purpose of the presentation and what you want to say. This way, everyone understands the goal and can be on the same page with the project.

2. Divide the responsibilities

During the discussion, pinpoint what each team member is good at and assign roles based on their strengths. For example, one person might be great at research, another at designing slides, and someone else might excel at public speaking. By dividing tasks this way, you ensure a high-quality presentation as everyone gets to contribute the best way they can.

3. Plan the content

When planning your content, outline the key points you want to cover. Break down the presentation into sections and decide who will handle each part. Make sure the content flows logically from one section to the next. This planning phase is crucial for a cohesive presentation.

4. Develop visual aids

Great visuals can make your presentation stand out. That’s where Prezi steps in to help you create engaging visuals that complement your content. Also, make sure to keep the design consistent and not too cluttered. Remember, visual aids should enhance your message, not distract from it.

5. Rehearse together

Practice makes perfect! Schedule a few rehearsals where everyone presents their part. Pay attention to the transitions between speakers to ensure they’re smooth. Rehearsing together helps you catch any issues and make sure everyone is comfortable with their role.

6. Get feedback

To improve your delivery, practice in front of a trusted audience of friends or colleagues, and get their honest opinions. They can give you feedback on any tweaks you can make to improve your presentation. Following this, you can then make any necessary adjustments based on their feedback.

7. Prepare for Q&A

Be ready to answer questions from your audience. To prepare, discuss potential questions with your team and decide who will answer which types of questions. This preparation helps ensure you can handle the Q&A session confidently.

8. Present with confidence

On the day of the presentation, stay calm and confident. Trust in the preparation you’ve done. Remember to engage with your audience, make eye contact, and speak clearly. Most importantly, support each other as a team, and have fun with it.

To learn more about delivering a successful presentation with two or more people, explore our article on co-presenting tips and techniques .

9. Reflect and learn

After the presentation, gather your team to reflect on what went well and what could be improved for next time. Learning from each experience helps you continually improve your presentation skills.

By following these steps, you can be sure that every aspect of creating a team presentation is covered, allowing maximum success. 

What are the advantages of team presentations?

Collaborating as a team for presentations has many advantages, including: 

The opportunity to work together as a team provides a sense of unity. Whether it’s in the workplace or an educational setting, relying on each other and sharing insights can really improve morale in any team. Also, being in a group provides motivation and excitement that you may not necessarily experience in solo presentations. 

Understanding of each other

In education and business settings, working on a team presentation means interacting with other members. Hearing other’s opinions and suggestions can help in getting to know your team better, which can help in other aspects of work or school. 

Promotes teamwork 

The ability to work together effectively for a team presentation can improve other team interactions further down the line. It’s a great opportunity to get everyone involved, especially those who might usually shy away from group discussions. This creates a more forthcoming team for the future. 

Less opportunity for errors

Having more than one person contributing to a presentation means that there’s less chance of making mistakes. There’s going to be more than one person looking over progress, which means that any initial errors will likely be spotted by someone in the team. Even when working on your own sections, the chance to rehearse together means that you can all pick up on potential mistakes before the big day. 

Diverse perspectives

Having a whole team involved means that several different viewpoints are brought together. Having each team member contribute their unique insights can lead to a richer and broader presentation overall. This ensures your presentation has a bigger impact on your audience. 

Shared workload

With a team presentation, the workload is distributed among the group, making it more manageable. This should reduce the pressure off any one individual and allows for more thorough preparation before you take to the stage. 

Improved audience engagement

Having multiple speakers can help to keep your audience interested. Each presenter will have different voices and styles of presenting, which can help maintain the audience’s attention throughout the whole presentation. 

Demonstrates team strength 

For business professionals in particular, creating and presenting a successful team presentation shows the power of your company. It portrays to your audience how reliable you are as a team and how you can work together to deliver great results. This is going to help you with future prospects and gaining the trust of clients, investors, and partners. 

Top tips for creating and presenting your team presentation

Here are some top tips to help you nail a team presentation, with some advice on what to do and what to avoid.

Do: plan early

Start planning your presentation as soon as possible. Early planning gives you ample time to organize content, assign roles, and create visuals. Don’t wait until the last minute – good preparation is key to a smooth presentation.

Don’t: overload slides

Avoid cramming too much information onto your slides. Instead, keep them clean and simple with key points and visuals. Your audience should be listening to you, not reading dense text on the screen.

Do: practice together

Rehearse your presentation as a team several times. This helps ensure smooth transitions between speakers and a cohesive delivery. In addition, practicing together builds confidence and helps you refine your timing.

Don’t: ignore feedback

Constructive criticism can help you improve your presentation. However, don’t take feedback personally – use it to make your presentation stronger.

Do: engage your audience

Keep your audience engaged by incorporating questions or a brief activity into your presentation. This interaction helps maintain their interest and makes your presentation stand out.

Don’t: monopolize the presentation

Ensuring everyone on the team has a chance to speak values each member’s contribution and keeps the presentation dynamic and interesting.

Do: use effective visuals

Visuals are great for engaging your audience and capturing their attention! That’s why make sure to incorporate charts, images, and videos to illustrate your points. Compelling visuals can make complex information easier to understand – just make sure they’re relevant and support your message.

Don’t: forget to smile

A friendly demeanor can make a big difference. Smiling helps you appear confident and approachable, and it can put both you and your audience at ease. Remember, you’ve prepared well, so enjoy the experience!

Do: use Prezi

If you want to stand out, use Prezi for your presentation! Its dynamic, non-linear format can make your content more engaging and visually appealing. Prezi allows you to create a more interactive and memorable presentation experience and makes the presentation creation process even easier with AI-powered functionalities .

Don’t: rush through transitions

Transitions between speakers are crucial. Don’t hurry through them; take your time to smoothly hand over to the next person. This maintains the flow of the presentation and keeps the audience engaged.

Creating a team presentation is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your collective talents and knowledge. By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to delivering a presentation that’s both impressive and enjoyable.

Why Prezi is perfect for team presentations: the power of Prezi AI

Prezi is the go-to platform for team presentations, thanks to its incredible AI features. Prezi AI makes creating a polished, professional presentation a breeze, allowing you to focus on your content while it handles the design.

With Prezi AI, you can simply provide a prompt about your subject, and it will suggest the best layout, color scheme, and design elements. This means you don’t have to be a design expert to create a visually stunning presentation. Prezi AI can even put your entire presentation together for you, ensuring that it looks cohesive and engaging.

One of the standout features is the Prezi AI text tool. It can suggest edits to improve your content, recommend the best way to display your text—whether it be in lists, bullet points, or paragraphs—and even adjust the length of your text to fit perfectly on your slides. This not only saves time but also means you don’t need to constantly double-check your work. You can present with assurance, knowing your presentation is professionally polished.

Presenting with Prezi is incredibly easy, making it ideal for both virtual and in-person settings. For virtual presentations, Prezi Video allows you to display your slides live next to you, creating a more engaging experience for your audience. Prezi’s collaborative features are perfect for team presentations, enabling the entire team to present together virtually. Each member can take turns presenting their sections seamlessly, making it feel as if you’re all in the same room, even if you’re miles apart.

Prezi AI takes the stress out of creating and presenting, making it the best tool for team presentations. With its intelligent design suggestions, text editing capabilities, and seamless virtual presentation features, Prezi ensures your team can deliver an impressive and professional presentation every time.

Here’s a summary of the key things Prezi AI can do

Build your presentation: Prezi AI can literally put together your team presentation for you. It will come up with the best theme and layout and put the whole presentation into action. 

Suggest improvements: Prezi AI can offer suggestions to make sure your presentation looks visually appealing and engaging. By proposing matching color palettes, images, and layouts, Prezi AI helps you create a polished presentation that leaves a lasting impression.

Text editing: To make your message clear and concise, use the Prezi AI text editing tool. It can generate text based on prompts you provide as well as offer edit suggestions on existing text. This way, you know your text is correct and makes sense. 

Team presentation ideas from Prezi

Here are some Prezi presentation examples that would work well as team presentations: 

TED talks: From Inspiration to innovation

The Prezi presentation by Neil Hughes is a great example of a team presentation because it’s divided into sections, giving each participant a chance to share their insights. Incorporating videos for each section, where specific team members speak, effectively ensures that everyone has their say. This approach helps convey the message clearly and makes sure all voices are heard.

Adopting a gratitude frame of mind

The layout chosen for this presentation is ideal for a team effort. With four main points, each delved into further, it allows each team member to take responsibility for one point. This ensures a fair division of speaking time and workload among all team members.

UX design tips for product managers

Similar to the previous example, this serves as great inspiration for team presentations due to its division into five main points, each explored in detail. Assigning one team member to focus on each area allows them to dedicate their full effort to their section, resulting in a high-quality presentation overall. Additionally, this showcases how Prezi’s open canvas can create an immersive experience by zooming in and out of points, making your message much clearer.

Hopefully, these examples have given you more of an insight of what your team presentation could look like. Allocating one team member to each key point is a great idea to split the workload and ensure everyone gets their chance to speak and show off their expertise. 

However, not all team presentations require every team member to be involved in the presenting stage. Sometimes, tasks may be split in a way where some participants focus on the creation process, while others focus on the presenting aspect. It purely depends on where the talents of your team members lie. 

Wow your audience with a team presentation created with Prezi

Team presentations provide many positives that may not be attained with solo presentations. The opportunity to have different ideas and points of view can really broaden the perspective of your audience. They can deliver a sense of team unity and strength, which is particularly important in business. When it comes to educational settings, team presentations are a great opportunity to practice working in a group and identify each student’s strengths and weaknesses. 

Creating a team presentation should be more about the content you’re sharing and less about spending hours on design. This is why utilizing Prezi AI to create your finished product is a great choice, as you can focus more closely on working as a team. 

By using Prezi for your next team presentation, you can take your audience on an immersive journey through your words, ensuring your audience is hooked from start to finish.  

Give your team the tools they need to engage

Like what you’re reading join the mailing list..

• Prezi for Teams
• Top Presentations

PIXELIXE blog

Role of graphic design in scientific research presentations.

Designing a presentation can be a simple job, but there are various factors to consider when it comes to research paper presentations. Science presentation ideas comply with multiple theories, data, facts, and information to present clear and concise information only.

Thanks to the use of graphic design, scientific presentation has become handy. They help improve the visual appeal and create a major role in research writing through enhanced readability, highlighting key information, professionalism, and more! In this article, we will list the presentation of graphic design and its role in enhancing scientific research presentation. Let’s start!

Clarifying Complex Data

Scientific presentations often include complex data that must be presented so the audience can grasp the information. With graphic design, you can design presentations that show complex data more simply. For example, the use of pie charts and bar graphs can help present the information better. The use of graphic design goes beyond the use of images and graphs. You can use images, icons, and various other media content to present them.

With the complexity of the scientific presentation, graphic design comes in handy in presenting complex data, clarifying it for the audience, and ensuring that the audience grasps the knowledge of what the data means. Instead of using numbers and stats, these data can be visually represented. The idea blooms through graphic design and creating and presenting a presentation can be much more straightforward. Further, it’s also easier to explain complex data through images and charts rather than numbers.

Improving Visual Appeal

Research paper presentations tend to be lengthy, and hence, the audience is likely to get distracted. With graphic design, you can create a visually appealing presentation that appeals to the audience to look further into it. Instead of using plain images and graphics, you can design an intuitive presentation that keeps the audience hooked. The use of the correct graphic can increase the interest of your audience.

Visual elements are critical in scientific presentations, and graphic design helps to maximize them.

Enhancing Readability

Graphic design is a crucial element in designing a presentation. With a knowledge of graphic design, you’ll have an idea of what exact font and layout to use to increase the readability of your audience. A scientific presentation must create a want among the audience to look further at it. They will most likely get confused if the font and readability are readable. But, with graphic design, you can appealingly present the content and use correct and simple fonts, graphs, and icons to keep it elegant yet beautiful. Further, enhancement of science research presentation becomes possible when the audience can understand the content, learn it, and later ask questions surrounding it.

Highlighting Key Information

Graphic design introduces various methods through which a presenter can highlight critical information in the presentation. The design presentation principle involves creating a presentation highlighting its importance in the key factors. With correct infographics, layouts, and text fonts, it becomes much simpler to highlight critical information. Further, you can strengthen your focus on vital information by creating more slides.

Consistency and Professionalism

With the knowledge of graphic design, you can present your scientific presentation consistently and professionally. Because the fonts, images, and texts are used and presented better, which adds to professionalism. And, with it being a research paper presentation, professionalism plays a significant role. Further, graphic design highlights the focus on consistency. You can use the same fonts throughout the text for the paragraph and a similar color palette, heading font, background, and more. It allows you to be consistent throughout your presentation.

Supporting Storytelling

Graphic design introduces various ways through which you can create research writing through storytelling. You can use graphics, images, media, fonts, and texts adequately. To present the information by storytelling. With storytelling’s wide popularity in making audiences understand the critical concept, goal, and idea behind it, graphic designing helps to bring the most out of it. Instead of plain text, you can use various media content to appealingly present your restoration, appeal to the audience, and keep them hooked.

Facilitating Memory Retention

Studies show that one can understand the concept better with the use of images, texts, and media content combined rather than just stating the information. Using and implementing graphic design in your scientific presentation, you can use images, graphs, and videos wherever necessary. Further, you can also present the critical information in media content to help your audience better understand it. Using appealing media content can help your audience remember the presentation longer. Images, videos, and appealing slides help bring the most out of your presentation and make it memorable for everyone. With fantastic presentation preparation, you can ensure that your audience remembers the concept and all the information they have gathered throughout.

Engaging Diverse Audiences

Among your audience, some prefer presentation through text, while others prefer one with more visuals and images. So, when you create a presentation with a combination of all, you’re likely to engage your diverse audience and their expectations of you. With graphic design, you can create appealing presentations that make balanced use of texts, images, videos, statistics, and facts.

When you use images and graphs throughout the presentation, even someone who is not well-versed in the language gets clear information. Because images are universal, you can reach out to your diverse audience and keep them engaged.

Enhancing Interactive Elements

Graphic designing can help you add to the interactive elements in your scientific presentation . You can add a poll and ask them to interact through it. Using graphic design can help you create an interactive presentation where you can play games, allow your audience to ask questions, and do more while giving your presentation. The use of graphic design is not limited to images and videos. It can extend by integrating interactive elements that help you navigate the difficulty of no interaction. Instead, you can create a fun session for your audience that is insightful, entertaining, and full of ideas and information.

This sums up our article on the role of graphic design in enhancing scientific research. Scientific research is of major importance in the contribution and development of the future, and it must add to the expectations and clarity. Using graphic design in scientific research presentations is a great initiative to create an engaging and high-quality presentation. It helps clarify complex data, improve the visual appeal of the presentation, ensure reliability, highlight critical information, ensure consistency and professionalism, support storytelling, facilitate memory retention, engage diverse audiences, ensure interactive elements, and more.

So, next time you think of designing and creating a scientific representation, make sure to fully utilize graphic design to create an interactive and appealing presentation.

Follow the Journey

Designer Visit: Sheila Jack’s White Garden in West London

A career in art direction is a useful grounding for anybody wishing to go into garden design. Sheila Jack’s career shift was not so much a break as a continuum—of research, editing, and presentation. Before designing the pages of Vogue magazine, her first job was for the architect Norman Foster, and these visual strands from the past feed into her present-day career as a landscape designer.

We visit the project which turned Sheila’s design ideas into something more three-dimensional: her own urban garden.

Photography by Britt Willoughby Dyer  for Gardenista, except where noted.

“When we installed my husband’s garden studio, we needed to create a pathway to it,” explains Sheila of the garden’s layout. “Our children were beyond the need for lawn, so there was scope to include more planting.”

I first met Sheila by the photocopying machine at Tatler magazine, several decades ago. Amid the madness, Sheila stood out as a beacon of clarity, in a crisp white shirt. A few years later I spotted Sheila, ever crisp, at 444 Madison Avenue, a recent arrival at Condé Nast in New York. While I failed to take my job on the 17th floor seriously, Sheila worked hard downstairs, in the scary offices of Vogue . Fast-forwarding a few years, she suddenly appeared on Instagram , with beautifully composed pictures of gardens, in focus. How had she got from there to here?

After Vogue , Sheila was art director of Harpers & Queen (before it was absorbed by Harpers Bazaar) . She recalls that at the Chelsea Flower Show, “Harper’s & Queen were the media sponsors of the Laurent Perrier gardens, during the epic Tom Stuart-Smith era.” That was when Stuart-Smiths’s sophisticated take on meadow planting caused one of the few genuine revolutions at Chelsea, in the 1990s. “Seeing those gardens in close-up was hugely inspirational,” says Sheila.

“All of my white irises have been propagated by division from two plants bought at the Chelsea sell-off [when designers and stall holders off-load plants at the end of the show]. Many of the roses came from Chelsea too,” says Sheila. She started collecting these plants during her time at Harpers .

Sheila enrolled in an intensive one-year design course at the London College of Garden Design at Kew Gardens, where she was recognized with an award for “top student.” She immediately won two awards with the Society of Garden Design as soon as she graduated and her ability with a pencil is evident in the entries.

“There were a whole range of transferable art and design skills,” says Sheila of her two careers. “I enjoy doing pencil sketches to illustrate an idea or convey an atmosphere, combining that with photography and art and architectural inspirations to flesh out the detail.”

“My former life of page layout, editing photography, and art have given me a strong visual reference point,” says Sheila. “I’m interested in detail and how things are made, and how they in turn can be edited to the purest form.”

What does the first year of a newly qualified award-winning designer involve? “I am working on a range of projects from urban London gardens and roof terraces to a beautifully located riverside country garden,” says Sheila. “I’ve also been extending my professional experience by working with more established designers. I had an amazing week as part of Tom Massey’s planting team during the build of his Lemon Tree Trust garden at this year’s Chelsea.”

For more on this particular show garden, see: Chelsea Flower Show 2018: Heart and Soul at the Lemon Tree Trust Garden.

Has Sheila’s new career had an effect on her garden? “The planting is constantly evolving; there are more grasses, with delicate plants like  Thalictrum delavayi  and  Selinum wallichianum.  I’m lucky to be designing other people’s gardens now,” she adds, “so there’s not much time for wholesale changes at home.”

Are you designing a new garden or updating a flower bed? Start with our curated guides to Garden Design 101  for our favorite cottage garden Perennials and Annuals .  Read more:

• Expert Advice: 10 White Garden Ideas from Petersham Nurseries
• 11 Ideas to Steal for a Moonlight Garden
• Landscape Architect Visit: “Sex and the City” Meets Edith Wharton in Manhattan

N.B.: This post is an update; it was first published August 2019.