9. Use Graphics Well

Use high-quality graphics including photographs. You can take your own high-quality photographs with your digital camera, or use the overabundance of high-quality images available on line (be cautious of copyright issues, however). Never simply stretch a small, low-resolution photo to make it fit your layout – doing so will degrade the resolution even further. Avoid using PowerPoint Clip Art or other cartoonish line art as your audience has seen it a million times before. There are exceptions, of course, and not all PowerPoint art is dreadful, but use carefully and judiciously.

  • Choose graphic material to support your presentation. Don’t include graphics purely for decoration.
  • Use 1-2 images per slide.
  • Pictures should be clear and in focus.
  • Tables or graphs should be simple and readable from the back of the room.
  • Remember that what may look clear and focussed on your computer screen will probably be paler and less focussed when projected onto a large screen.