How do you balance text and visuals on your graphic design presentation board without overcrowding it?

A writer starts with an outline. An artist starts with a sketch. How can a graphic designer plan their layout for a presentation? Start with thumbnails. Kick kerning to the curb and keep it simple. Grab a blank sheet of paper, a pencil, and a tasty beverage. Throw on your favourite playlist or podcast and get cozy. Thumbnailing is a low effort way to map out your creative concepts. Think of it as a form of visual brainstorming. Your headings and body text don't need to be written out, they can be rectangles. Amorphous shapes can be added to represent graphics/creative assets. The goal is to plan your presentation layout on paper so you can render and finetune with ease in PowerPoint, InDesign, or the platform of your choosing.

I look at my text first and decide if and how I am going to break it up. If it's short or has an impactful word I want to emphasize by making it large or all capitals I will lay that out first. I always want the message clear and easy to read.

Finding the perfect balance between text and visuals in a presentation board is an art in itself. As a branding expert, I've learned that less is often more when it comes to conveying a powerful message. ? One project that comes to mind is a recent brand launch campaign. In designing the presentation board, I opted for a minimalist approach. I used a bold, captivating headline followed by a concise introduction that captured the essence of the brand. ?? For visuals, I incorporated a mix of high-quality images, sketches, and infographics to showcase the brand's unique identity and journey. Each visual element was purposefully placed to create a harmonious flow, allowing the audience to easily absorb the information. ????

To avoid overcrowding, I relied on white space and a clean layout, ensuring that both text and visuals had room to breathe. This balance effectively communicated the brand's story, while maintaining an engaging and visually appealing presentation. ?? Remember, striking the right balance between text and visuals is key to a powerful presentation board that leaves a lasting impression on your audience. ??

To ensure that your design is effective, you can use a variety of tools and techniques to review and refine your work. For example, zooming in and out can help you determine whether your board has a clear focal point, while printing or previewing your board can help you identify any readability issues with your colors and fonts. It's also important to seek feedback from your peers or clients to gauge whether your design conveys your intended message and is understandable to your target audience. Finally, testing your board in different settings can help you ensure that it is effective in any display or presentation environment!

Start with a clear hierarchy: Decide which information is the most important and use visual cues, such as font size and color, to make it stand out. This will help you avoid overcrowding your design with too much information.