What are the most effective colors to use in virtual presentation slides?

2 Use the color wheel as a guide

The color wheel is a tool that shows the relationships between colors based on their hue, saturation, and brightness. It can be used to create different color schemes for your slides based on the principles of color harmony, which is the balance and contrast between colors that creates a pleasing and coherent visual effect. There are several types of color schemes to choose from, such as monochromatic (using different shades, tints, and tones of one color), analogous (using colors that are adjacent to each other on the color wheel), complementary (using colors that are opposite to each other on the color wheel), triadic (using three colors that are equally spaced on the color wheel), and tetradic (using four colors that form two pairs of complementary colors). Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on the mood, message, and emphasis you want to create. For example, a monochromatic color scheme can create a simple and elegant look but can also be boring and dull. On the other hand, a complementary color scheme can create a strong and dynamic contrast but could be too harsh and distracting. You can explore different schemes to find what works best for your slides.

3 Apply the 60-30-10 rule

The 60-30-10 rule is a guideline that helps you balance and distribute the colors on your slides. The rule suggests that you use 60% of one dominant color, 30% of a secondary color, and 10% of an accent color. The dominant color is the background color that sets the tone and mood of your slides. The secondary color is the foreground color that supports the dominant color and provides contrast and variety. The accent color is the highlight color that draws attention and adds interest and excitement. You can use the 60-30-10 rule to create a hierarchy and harmony of colors on your slides.

4 Choose colors that are readable and accessible

When selecting colors for your slides, readability and accessibility should be taken into account. Readability is the ease with which your text and graphics can be seen and understood. Accessibility is the extent to which your slides can be perceived and used by people with different abilities and preferences. Contrast, size, and color blindness all affect readability and accessibility. For example, high contrast colors should be used to make text stand out; a minimum of 18 points for body text and 24 points for headings should be used for fonts; and colors that are distinguishable and meaningful should be used for people who have color blindness. By following these tips, you can choose the most effective colors for your virtual presentation slides. Colors can make a big difference in how your audience engages with and remembers your presentation, so use them wisely and creatively to enhance your presentation.

5 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?