What are the benefits and drawbacks of using animations and transitions in your slides?

2 Drawbacks of animations and transitions

Animations and transitions can also have negative effects on your presentation if you use them too much, too randomly, or too fast. They can distract your audience from your message, make your slides look busy and chaotic, or cause technical issues and delays. For example, you can annoy your audience if you use animations that are irrelevant, noisy, or flashy, or if you use transitions that are too slow, too abrupt, or too fancy. You can also lose your audience's attention if you use animations that are too complex, too long, or too frequent, or if you use transitions that are inconsistent or unnecessary.

3 How to use animations and transitions effectively

To use animations and transitions effectively, you need to adhere to some basic principles of slide design and presentation delivery. Before you create your slides, plan your animations and transitions carefully. Consider the purpose, the audience, and the context of your presentation. Choose animations and transitions that support your message and avoid distractions. Use animations and transitions sparingly, only when they add value, clarity, or interest to your slides. Utilize animations that match the content and tone of your slides and transitions that match the flow and structure of your presentation. Make sure you know how to control them with your keyboard, mouse, or remote. Animations and transitions can be great tools for enhancing slides and making a presentation more dynamic; however, if used improperly or excessively they can be detrimental. By following these tips you can use animations and transitions effectively and steer clear of common mistakes.