Resources: Checklists: Overhead Guidelines

Follow these guidelines when developing overheads:

Design Elements

• Remember, studies repeatedly show that presenters using color are perceived as more knowledgeable than presenters using black-and-white visuals.
• Keep in mind that meetings using color presentation visuals require less time for the audience to come to a consensus about a topic.
• Use color handouts to command respect and project an extremely professional image. Black-and-white handouts communicate a last-minute or "compromise" image.
• Don't overdesign. Keep your layouts clean. Graphics should be eye-catching, but should be used to support content...not in place of it.

Headers

• Use short, punchy headlines. Your visual and headline should work together to communicate the essence of the piece in a five-second read.
• Headlines should be five words maximum.
• Headlines should default to 40 size font. Use a sans serif font. BE consistent about the size and format throughout the module.
• Avoid shadow text or embossed text.

Text

• Do cite the source of the information if appropriate, but avoid using a lot of supporting type, especially small print. Even though the projector will enlarge every element on the page, your audience will still have trouble making out the smaller type from a distance.
• Use a serif font (Times Roman or similar). Fonts with serifs are easier to read. Use a minimum of 18 pt (larger is better).
• Try to condense your points to put less on the slide.
• Select appropriate typefaces. The primary purpose of type is to communicate your message with clarity. Avoid trendy fonts for your main message; instead go for fonts that are legible.
• Avoid using all caps for supporting copy, as they are more difficult to read.
• Limit yourself to three font families. Mixing up too many fonts may confuse the viewer.

Use of Color

• Use cool colors, such as blue, turquoise, purple and magenta, for backgrounds.
• Make sure your text contrasts strongly with the background. Use lighter colors against a dark background or dark colors against a lighter background.
• Use your brightest colors to call attention to important elements.
• Be simple and colorful (not more that 3 colors unless a graphic is used)
• Avoid light blue text, as this is always hard to read.
• If you are using a textured background, be especially careful that it doesn't overwhelm the other elements. A background shouldn't call attention to itself.
• Gradients or graduated fills provide more interest than a simple color block.
• Avoid graduated fills with a full 0-100% saturation range, as banding will often occur despite corrective measures when printing. Try to limit the range, from 40-100% for example, or 15-60%. Banding is especially pronounced at the lighter end of the scale.

Words/Fonts

• Slides should have no more than six lines per page and six words per line
• Space text at least 1.5 times
• Leave the lower quarter of your page blank
• Overheads should have very little punctuation
• Don't use slashes, em-dashes and exclamation points as they can all be misread
• All pictures and diagrams should be large enough to see from the back of the room

Handouts

• Don't underestimate the value of audience handouts. They live on, long after the overhead projector has been turned off, enhancing and multiplying the impact of your presentation.
• Consider printing out "handouts" from your PowerPoint presentation with three on a page. Go to "File" "Print" "Print What" (ALT +W) and select "Handouts." Select 3 Slides per page with lines for notes.