How do you choose the right font size for your slides? This is a common question that many presenters face when designing their slides. Fonts and typography are important elements of visual communication that can enhance or detract from your message. In this article, you will learn some basic principles and tips on how to use fonts and typography effectively in your slides.
The first thing you need to consider when choosing your font size is your audience and context. Who are you presenting to, and where are you presenting? How large is the room, and how far away are the viewers from the screen? How much text do you need to convey your key points? These factors will influence how big or small your font size should be. As a general rule, you want your font size to be large enough that everyone in the room can read it comfortably, but not so large that it overwhelms the slide or reduces the amount of space for other elements.
The next thing you need to think about is your font style. Font style refers to the appearance and design of the letters, such as serif, sans serif, bold, italic, etc. You want to use a font style that is consistent and readable throughout your presentation. Consistency helps to create a professional and coherent look, while readability ensures that your text is easy to understand and follow. A good practice is to use one font style for your headings, and another for your body text, and stick to them throughout your slides. You can also use different font weights, such as bold or light, to create contrast and hierarchy. Avoid using too many font styles, colors, or effects, as they can make your slides look cluttered and confusing.
When I am choosing fonts for a slide, I also make sure to consider what the slides will look like to an online AND in-person audience when placed in presentation mode.
These days there are tons of fonts available and it is easy to get overwhelmed by choice. For presentations in general avoid fonts that are handwritten based, too thin or creative. The simpler the font the better. You can use maybe one or two slides with creative fonts, for example if you want to use a quote or one line statement, as that will make it stand out. If you are unsure about your font choice, ask a colleague, friend or family member for input. Getting a second opinion can be beneficial, especially if you are just starting in your presenting career or if it is a very important presentation for you.
A useful guideline that can help you choose your font size is the 10/20/30 rule, popularized by Guy Kawasaki, a renowned speaker and author. The rule states that you should use no more than 10 slides, speak for no more than 20 minutes, and use a font size of no less than 30 points. The rationale behind this rule is that it forces you to focus on the most essential and impactful information, and deliver it in a clear and concise way. Of course, this rule is not a strict formula, and you can adjust it according to your specific needs and goals. However, it can serve as a good starting point and a reminder to keep your slides simple and effective.
Regarding how many slides to present, a lot depends on whether the goal is to inspire or educate. Ten slides (or less) seems like a good target for an inspirational talk. For a topic that you're going in depth on, and when attendees might benefit from having a deck with lots of information to look at following the presentation, I don't think there should be a hard limit on slides. However, the font size question is important. Ideally, you should adjust the font size for the type of room you'll be in. I think 30pt is a minimum for any presentation. Bigger is always better when it comes to font size.
The final tip on how to use fonts and typography in your slides is to test them before presenting. You can do this by previewing your slides on the device and screen that you will use for your presentation, and checking if they look good and readable. You can also ask for feedback from a friend or colleague, or practice your presentation in front of a small audience. This way, you can identify and fix any issues or errors that might affect your presentation quality and performance. Testing your slides can also help you to gain confidence and familiarity with your content and delivery.
I would add that you want to make sure you type size isn't too small. Ideally for body content less 28 points is too small. For headline text and main content 72 points is an ideal font size. Keep your text bold and easy to read. Think billboards and stand back from your slides to see if you can understand the content quickly and effectively.
For printed presentations you can also use smaller font sizes. So it is important to know where the presentation is taking place when it comes to formatting.
Testing slides is important and you should read every line of copy on the slides and view everything in presentation mode to ensure all the slide transitions are consistent and any animation works properly. When reviewing slides for a presentation, I always find something that needs refinement or to be removed. Try to remove content rather than add anything new at this stage.