PowerPoint is the presentation software that is part of the Microsoft Office 2007 suite. When learning to use PowerPoint, many users wonder, “What makes a slide look good or bad?” If you do a quick Internet search on “PowerPoint slide design tips” you’ll come across numerous resources that tell you what makes a slide look “good” or “bad” or what is “right” or “wrong.” Most of these tips are valid and are simply based on the principles of good design that apply to multiple types of publications; however, what I urge you to think about is the context of your presentation.

One of the primary things I ask think about when I design slides is the context of the presentation.  Who are you presenting to? Is it an informal or formal presentation? What is the climate or culture of the organization? While there are some basic design guidelines that can help you create effective slides, don’t you need to know who your audience is to determine whether the slide design is effective?

Constantly think about the context of your presentation as you make design choices and you will find yourself well on your way to an effective and powerful PowerPoint presentation. Interested in learning more about PowerPoint 2007? Take some time and explore the new PowerPoint 2007 tutorial.