How can you improve your slide design with contrast, alignment, and whitespace?

1 What is contrast?

Contrast is the difference between two or more elements on a slide, such as colors, fonts, sizes, shapes, or images. Contrast helps you highlight the most important information, create visual interest, and avoid confusion. For example, you can use contrast to make your title stand out from the background, to emphasize a key word or phrase, or to show a comparison or contrast between two options.

2 How to use contrast effectively?

To use contrast effectively, you need to follow some basic guidelines. First, use contrast sparingly and consistently. Don't overdo it or change it randomly, as this will make your slides look messy and chaotic. Second, use contrast to create hierarchy and focus. Make sure your contrast matches your message and supports your main point. Third, use contrast to enhance readability and accessibility. Choose colors that have enough contrast with the background and fonts that are easy to read and distinguish.

3 What is alignment?

Alignment is the arrangement of elements on a slide, such as text, images, icons, or graphs. Alignment helps you create order, balance, and harmony on your slides. It also helps you guide your audience's eyes and attention to the most relevant information. For example, you can use alignment to align your title with your logo, to align your bullet points with your images, or to align your graphs with your labels.

4 How to use alignment effectively?

To use alignment effectively, you need to follow some basic guidelines. First, use alignment grids and guides. Most slide software have tools that help you align your elements precisely and evenly. Use them to avoid misalignment and gaps. Second, use alignment to create consistency and unity. Align your elements across different slides and sections, and use the same margins and spacing. Third, use alignment to create contrast and variety. Sometimes, you can break the alignment to create emphasis or surprise, but do it intentionally and sparingly.

5 What is whitespace?

Whitespace is the empty space between and around the elements on a slide. Whitespace helps you create clarity, simplicity, and elegance on your slides. It also helps you reduce clutter and noise, and increase focus and attention. For example, you can use whitespace to separate different sections, to create breathing room for your text and images, or to create negative space that forms a shape or a symbol.

6 How to use whitespace effectively?

To use whitespace effectively, you need to follow some basic guidelines. First, use whitespace intentionally and generously. Don't fill every inch of your slide with content or decoration. Leave some space for your elements to breathe and stand out. Second, use whitespace to create hierarchy and contrast. Use more whitespace for the most important elements, and less whitespace for the less important ones. Use whitespace to create contrast between different elements or groups. Third, use whitespace to create alignment and symmetry. Use whitespace to align your elements and create balance and harmony on your slides.

7 How to combine contrast, alignment, and whitespace?

Contrast, alignment, and whitespace are not independent principles. They work together to create effective and engaging slide design. To combine them, you need to consider how they affect each other and how they support your message and goal. For example, you can use contrast to create alignment, by using the same color or font for aligned elements. You can use alignment to create whitespace, by using the same margin or spacing for aligned elements. You can use whitespace to create contrast, by using more or less space for contrasting elements. The key is to experiment and test different combinations until you find the ones that work best for your slide design.

8 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?