How can you use symbols to make your slides stand out?

1 Choose symbols that match your topic

The first step is to select symbols that are relevant to your topic and your main points. You want to avoid using symbols that are too generic, vague, or confusing. For example, if you are talking about the benefits of meditation, you could use symbols like a lotus flower, a candle, or a person sitting in a cross-legged pose. These symbols are easy to recognize and associate with meditation. On the other hand, you should avoid using symbols like a clock, a star, or a heart, which are not directly related to your topic and could have multiple meanings.

2 Use symbols to emphasize key words

The second step is to use symbols to highlight key words or phrases in your slides. You can do this by placing symbols next to or above the text, or by replacing some letters with symbols. This can help you draw attention to the most important information and make it easier for your audience to remember. For example, if you are talking about the four types of communication styles, you could use symbols like a lion, a peacock, a dolphin, and an owl to represent each style. This can help you create a visual association and a mnemonic device for your audience.

3 Use symbols to create contrast

The third step is to use symbols to create contrast in your slides. Contrast is a design principle that helps you create visual hierarchy and differentiation. You can use symbols to create contrast in different ways, such as by varying the size, color, shape, or position of the symbols. For example, if you are talking about the pros and cons of a decision, you could use symbols like a check mark and a cross to indicate the positive and negative aspects. You could also make the check mark bigger and green, and the cross smaller and red, to create more contrast and impact.

4 Use symbols sparingly and consistently

The final step is to use symbols sparingly and consistently in your slides. You don't want to overuse symbols or use too many different symbols, as this can make your slides look cluttered, distracting, or confusing. You also want to use symbols consistently throughout your presentation, so that your audience can easily follow your logic and understand your message. For example, if you use a symbol to represent a concept in one slide, you should use the same symbol to refer to that concept in other slides. This can help you create coherence and continuity in 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?