Rethinking The Point Of PowerPoint

My pastor has a saying, “Methods are many, principles are few. Methods will change, but principles never do.” PowerPoint is one method of applying a principle. It’s the principle behind the method of Powerpoint, and similar presentation methods, that I think we have lost and need to rethink.

The principle behind PowerPoint is to communicate with the participant in a worship service things that they ought to know. This takes the form of lyrics, sermon notes, biblical text and announcements. In previous years, the hymnal was a method, even the pew Bible was a method of relaying information. Now it is common for the lyrics and Bible verses to be displayed using PowerPoint.

My pastor has a saying, “Methods are many, principles are few. Methods will change, but principles never do.” PowerPoint is one method of applying a principle. It’s the principle behind the method of Powerpoint, and similar presentation methods, that I think we have lost and need to rethink.

The principle behind PowerPoint is to communicate with the participant in a worship service things that they ought to know. This takes the form of lyrics, sermon notes, biblical text and announcements. In previous years, the hymnal was a method, even the pew Bible was a method of relaying information. Now it is common for the lyrics and Bible verses to be displayed using PowerPoint.

The method of PowerPoint is eclipsing the principle of relaying information. I cannot count the amount of times where I have totally ignored announcements, got distracted by horrendous backgrounds, and have had difficulty reading text from a poor use of PowerPoint.

There is now no concern for an effective, attractive, legible and memorable use of PowerPoint (was there ever?). If PowerPoint is to communicate with those who view it, the presentation needs to be effective in its use. The principles of design and effective communication have to be looked at and implemented. Its time to rethink the point of PowerPoint.

To effectively communicate using Powerpoint there are a few basic rules that should always be applied. If you follow these rules, even if you aren’t very design-savvy you will improve your design drastically.

1. Font

• Sans-serif fonts are optimal for use with Powerpoint. The reasoning behind this is that LARGE text is easier to read in sans-serif fonts. An example of a sans-serif font is Arial, while Times New Roman is a serif font.
• The font face should be consistent throughout the presentation. Switching between different font types or font sizes can be very confusing. Unless you are using different font sizes to show hierarchy between elements, don’t change it.
• “Fancy” fonts should not be used. Some people have a difficult time reading these types of fonts.
• The font color needs to contrast with the background. There is nothing worse than dark yellow on light yellow. Also avoid extreme contrasts like bright red and green or blue and yellow.
• Keep the text in the same spot. Text moving to different locations, to either accomodate the backgrounds used or just from sloppiness, is hard to follow and read quickly.

2. Backgrounds

• Use neutral backgrounds. A busy background subtracts from the text that needs to be read. You probably shouldn’t use that wonderful nature picture with deer prancing through a lush, green meadow. Instead, use abstract backgrounds that do not distract the eye.
• Consistency is key. Stick with one background for the whole presentation.

3. Other

• No matter how cool you think it is, never, ever, use the nifty sound effects that Microsoft has so deviously packaged with Powerpoint. You will not only startle everyone, putting the old folks in the hospital early, you will also lose the audience with the tackiness of the sound effect.
• Also, never, ever use clipart. There is no reason to, unless it is absolutely necessary to get your point across.
• If you insist on slide transitions and text transitions, use only one type and stick with it. Once again consistency is the key.

The rule that binds all the other rules together is this: Just because you can doesn’t mean that you should.

What I mean is this, Powerpoint and similar presentation software bundle lots of neat backgrounds and effects, but just because you have the capability of using every little fancy trick that Microsoft has to offer you, doesn’t mean that you should. In fact, if you do, than you have a guaranteed recipe for failure.