While using Google Slides to make a presentation is simple, making it attractive requires some understanding. I think we’ve all found ourselves trapped in circumstances whereby we are designing something that might be functional but not dazzling. With a few tips on creating it, complex monotonous slides can be altered into beautiful and attention-demanding presentations.
Use a Professional Template
Building an impressive presentation from scratch on Google Slides might consume much of our time. If I have no time or energy to innovate, I use a Google Slides template and adjust it as needed.
Templates are helpful because they have had prior formatting with built-in items such as images, transitions, and animations.
I mostly obtain templates from websites such as Slides Go, Carnival, PresentationGo, and others. These sites offer templates that fit most situations, such as education, business, events, marketing, or any other.
Add a Fullscreen Background Image
Now and then, rather than uploading a picture of a plain white color that fills the background, I prefer an image that fills the whole slide space. This can be done immediately, thus creating a theme and pushing the presentation to a higher level of engagement.
If it’s not feasible to have one for the entire presentation, I ensure that at least the title slide contains one that can attract as many people’s attention as possible at the beginning.
To do this, after placing the picture, choose it, and then in the top nav bar, go to Arrange > Order > Send to back, which will bring the text to the front.
Next, with your mouse, right-click on it and choose the option format options on the displayed list. On the right-hand panel, open the Adjustments drop-down and fine-tune the Brightness and Contrast until the text is easily readable.
For example, if I want to use white text and the background is light or very light, I reduce the brightness and increase the contrast so that I can see the text.
Layout Is Key
Prior to getting even more refined in creating the slide, I chose one particular layout format to implement throughout the presentation. That is why unless the content is organized well or messy, the other elements are not meaningful.
Since Google Slides has some great pre-made layouts, I do not waste my time on how to create layouts. To pick one, open the left panel and choose the slide, go to the Slide tab, choose the Apply Layout option, and click the preferred choice in the fly-out menu.
Create a Color Palette and Stick With It
No color theory knowledge is required to create excellent color combinations. Another way around this is to use a color palette generator, which takes less time.
After that, incorporate your colors into the presentation’s theme. To do that, select a slide, go to the top menu, and click Slide > Edit theme > Colors at the top of the new window that appears.
On the right side of the page, in the Theme Colors panel, you will expand the Choose a theme color drop-down and select the theme color you wish to alter, for example, Text and Background 1, Accent 1, or Link.
Later, there is a space for the Hex code or RGB value for the custom color from the palette. Do this for all the necessary colors in your palette, and then you should have a good color scheme.
Pick the Right Font
As we’ve discussed colors, choosing a font involves a lot of discussion. However, it is generally wise to select one or two fonts.
Hence, the fonts that are chosen depend on the presentation. For example, in a professional setting, delivering a presentation, fonts such as Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica will reach the goal of readability, neatness, and professionalism. Web-safe, friendly fonts include; Comic Sans/ Lobster/ Pacifico or any other ‘fun’ font.
Add Transition and Animations
I also consider transitions and animations as interesting features to apply in presentation to make them more interesting. To add a transition in PowerPoint, locate the slide on the right side pane and right-click to open the Transition menu.
If there is no menu to select in the drop-down list, click the words ‘None’ in the panel on the right. An arrow pointing down should appear next to ‘Slide Transition.’ Next, roll down the bar and pick a transition of your choice, such as Dissolve, Fade in, or Slide from left.
You can also apply many animations to an object when working with text, image, or shape objects in the slide. To do that, right-click on the object and in the menu that appears, choose animate. Under Object Animations, there will be two drop-down boxes beside it on the right panel.
Add Images, Music, Videos, and GIFs
Making the right choices regarding the media that goes with the presentation will help your audience engage, keep their attention, and get your message. Fortunately, Google Slides allows you to add several types, including the following:
- Images: Pictures can diversify the information and illustrate some of it. You can also build your own or get them online based on copyrighted and royalty-free images.
- GIFs: These can be employed to illustrate a joke on your slides or explain a certain process. Many free GIFs can be downloaded from websites like GIPHY, or we can convert videos and Images into GIFs.
- Music: The loudspeakers play an amazing role in introducing the desired atmosphere for presenting. For instance, choosing the right music type can always ensure the audience is calm or alive.
- Videos: Videos can explain, show how to do something, or offer a testimonial.
