Is your presentation media in need of an update? One of the major mistakes presenters make is not giving enough attention to the look of their presentation media. For some, it becomes an afterthought, thrown together hastily right before the presentation. Others use the same slides, templates, or backgrounds they’ve been using for years. Either way, the slides could use an overhaul. But where to start?
One of the easiest ways to freshen up your presentation media is to change the backgrounds you are using. So today we’ll highlight a few different ways to make some updates.
1. Using Color
You can update your media by choosing the right background color. But choosing the right background starts by thinking about what you want to feature in the foreground. Will it be text? An image? A company logo? When you know what you want to feature, you can pick your background color more effectively.
Recently my husband and I used this exact strategy when we updated our home office. We wanted to feature a painting he had done, so we took a photo of the painting and then dropped the image into an Adobe program. We put a solid color box behind it and ran through several color options to see how the painting looked against different background colors. That allowed us to make the right color choice when it came time to paint. This same strategy works for presentation media. Simply think about what you want to highlight, and then pick a color that makes it stand out.
Here are two tricks of the trade when you start to pick colors. Try using colors that are complementary (opposites on the color wheel). Or, pick a color in the same family (blues, greens, reds, etc.) and contrast it with a darker or lighter shade of itself. For example, a light green text on a dark green background provides attractive contrast.
2. Using Images
You can also use images for your backgrounds. If you choose to do this, Canva says, “you’ll grab the attention of your audience quickly and immediately relate your message visually.” Look for images that have blank space. That way, you have room to place text where it will be easy to read.
For example, if you want to use an image of your company headquarters, find or take a photo of the building in which it falls to the left or right of center, taking up about 2/3 of the image space. On the other third, aim to capture open sky if possible. That sky space leaves you plenty of room for including text over the image.
Another trick is to adjust the transparency of your image. This softens your background by making it more see through. When the “noise” of your image is reduced, your foreground material like text doesn’t have to compete with it. Check out this quick tutorial for setting the transparency of an image in PowerPoint. Just make sure that whatever image you choose helps to communicate the message you are trying to get across to your audience.
3. Using Texture
Finally, you can use texture to freshen up your presentation media backgrounds. Social media has great examples of image and text working together to create a more complete and beautiful message. Check out the Instagram accounts of Morgan Harper Nichols or The Practice Co to see how even a simple textured background can update the look of a message and add to it’s value.
The main thing with using texture is to make sure you don’t go overboard. Keep it simple. It is a background, after all. You can download free textured backgrounds on sites like Unsplash or work from texture templates at Canva. Or check out these tips we posted on how to create your own backgrounds using your phone.
It’s time to dump those old presentation templates and backgrounds in exchange for something new. Now that you know how to select the right color, use images, and put texture to work, you can easily update the look of your presentation media. And for even more ideas, check out this list complied by Canva for more background types.
If designing your presentation media seems overwhelming, get in touch with one of our expert designers now.
