Presentations are a chance to shine, but certain design mistakes can dim your light faster than a dying projector bulb. Here are ten common pitfalls, plus simple fixes to help you dazzle your audience instead of making them reach for their phones.
1. Too much text
Picture this: a slide crammed with paragraphs, and your audience squinting as they try to keep up. We've all been there right? Overloading your slides with text is the quickest way to bore your audience.
Fix: Keep it short and sweet - think bullet points, not essays. Stick to one idea per slide, and expand on it verbally.
2. Dodgy font choices
Nothing screams amateur like Comic Sans or Verdana. Fonts are a subtle but powerful tool in setting the tone of your presentation.
Fix: Use clean, professional fonts (ideally your brand fonts) or system fonts like Arial, Gill Sans, or Helvetica (don't forget the Mac/PC variations). Make sure the size is big enough to read from the back of the room - 20pt or larger is usually a safe bet.
3. Lack of visual hierarchy
When everything on the slide looks equally important, your audience won’t know where to focus.
Fix: Use font sizes, bold text, and colour contrasts to guide the viewer’s eye. Headlines should stand out, while supporting text stays subtle.
4. Poor contrast
Light grey text on a white background might look chic on your laptop, but it’s unreadable on a big screen.
Fix: Ensure your text contrasts sharply with your background. Dark text on a light background (or vice versa) works best.
5. Overdoing animations and transitions
Just because you can make your text spin in doesn’t mean you should. Excessive animations are distracting and can make your presentation feel suupppper dated.
Fix: Use transitions sparingly and choose subtle, professional effects like fades or wipes.
6. Low-quality visuals
Blurry photos or clip art are presentation no-nos. They scream unprofessional and detract from your message.
Fix: Invest in high-quality images or graphics. Sites like Unsplash and Pexels are your friends.
7. Inconsistent branding
If your slides don’t match your company’s branding, it can make your presentation feel disjointed.
Fix: Stick to your brand’s colour palette, fonts, and logo placement. A consistent template can save the day here.
8. Ignoring white space
Cramming too much into a slide creates visual chaos and makes it harder for your audience to focus. Think slick website design instead of a MySpace data hullabaloo.
Fix: Embrace white space. Give your content room to breathe, and let key elements stand out.
9. Data overload
Dumping an entire spreadsheet onto a slide doesn’t make you look smart - but it does make your audience zone out. Usually you're the only one who understands what's going on and you're trying to show off all your hard work. However it tends to have the opposite effect.
Fix: Highlight only the most relevant data and use charts or infographics to simplify complex information.
10. Forgetting your audience
Designing a presentation for yourself instead of your audience is a surefire way to miss the mark. Storytelling 101, YOU ARE NOT THE HERO.
Fix: Always consider who you’re speaking to and tailor your visuals and messaging accordingly.
Don’t let your slides sabotage you!
Presentations are a powerful way to connect with your audience - if you get the design right. By avoiding these common mistakes and following the simple fixes, you’ll create slides that amplify your message, not detract from it.
So, ditch the Comic Sans, embrace white space, and remember: less is more. Your audience (and your future self) will thank you. 😉