Not long ago, I found myself preparing a PowerPoint for an important client pitch. I had the message, the storyline, and the stakes couldn’t have been higher. So, I poured my energy into making this presentation visually compelling, aiming for a design that would impress.
I experimented with a large image on the cover, bold red headings across each slide, and added small square images to the right side of certain slides. The result? Well… after hours of fine-tuning and nearly pulling an all-nighter, I realized that I was not a graphic designer.
It hit me then: I needed help to avoid spending endless hours on presentation design. Like many, I turned to the “University of YouTube,” searching, “How to create great presentations in PowerPoint.” Ten videos and about 20 template downloads later, I had a presentable deck. When I delivered it, I felt proud, and my team noticed the upgrade in design quality.
But I didn’t want to make every project an overnight effort, so I refined a few key design strategies that now help me create visually engaging presentations, flyers, or videos without losing sleep. Today, I’m sharing these simple but effective design tips that have become my go-to strategies.
1. Collect Your Data First
When we’re excited to dive into design, it’s tempting to open up Canva, PowerPoint, or Photoshop right away. But before touching the tools, make sure you know your content. Outline what you want to communicate, ensuring clarity before design begins.
As you collect your data, think about your main communication goal and your target audience.
2. Organize Your Content into a Story
Once you’ve gathered the data, start organizing. Not everything you collected will make it to the final product. Develop a narrative—think about the flow and what’s essential for your audience. A good story structure keeps your audience engaged and makes your design purposeful. Also, every good story provides a solution. Include a call to action that prompts your audience to take the next step after experiencing your design.
Always make a sell with your presentation. You have their attention. Make “the Ask”.
3. Choose the Right Design Tool
Only once you’ve sorted your content, you should open up the design tool. Whether it’s Canva, PowerPoint, or Photoshop, select the one that you feel comfortable with. My personal favorite is Canva because of its versatility for presentations, flyers, and even video design. Canva simplifies the process, enabling you to focus on delivering great content without getting bogged down in complicated design details.
In truth, we’re all designers in some way. Every resume you write, every email layout, every bulleted list—it’s all design. The choice of font, layout, and style contributes to the impact.
If you’re interested in taking your design skills further, my next posts will explore practical tips on using Canva to create standout presentations, flyers, and more. So, come along as I guide you through the exciting world of design!
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