Designing PowerPoint Slides for Video

PowerPoint is a computer application used to produce support materials for delivering instruction.

Design Considerations n Design rules are applied to produce instructional materials for any projected media. n Special considerations are required when using computers or video monitors.

Text n Projected text should be large enough to read by all viewers. n This is 32 point, the recommended minimum size. anything smaller becomes more (20 point) and more (16 point) difficult to read. n In most cases, less information on a slide is easier to read.

Text n Six words per line = maximum. n Six lines per slide = maximum n Although it is tempting to squeeze a few more lines on each slide, this is not advisable. It is better to find a logical break in the content and create a new slide.

Text n Use a combination of Upper Case and Lower Case letters. n This combination is easier to read THAN ALL UPPERCASE LETTERS.

Fonts San serif fonts are preferred examples include; Helvetica, CG Omega, Universe, Arial. San serif fonts are preferred examples include; Helvetica, CG Omega, Universe, Arial. Serif fonts such as; Courier, or Times New Roman may be more difficult to read. Serif fonts such as; Courier, or Times New Roman may be more difficult to read.

Contrast n Use of a “drop shadow” increases the contrast for text and objects. n and with a drop shadow n Without drop shadow……. and with a drop shadow n The colors of text and background should contrast for clear visibility.

Color n The n The greatest difference between the monitors used to view a computer or video is… COLORCOLORCOLORCOLOR

Chroma Crawl n Some n Some bright colors tend to blur and distort, making text and images difficult to view: Red is the worst color.

Color Fading n Other n Other colors appear faded when transferred from a computer to a video monitor. n The n The orange color in this slide is an example:

Video Template n Download a “Safe Area”, template from the "Faculty/Staff" page. It serves as a PowerPoint slide master limiting the work area for use in video Faculty/Staff" pageFaculty/Staff" page n The upper right corner is also blocked to allow for live video - use this if you might do a videoconference course.

Safe Area n Keep all text and images in the “Safe Area” - the black box around the screen. n This is located within the central 80 percent of a computer monitor. n Information closer to the edges may be cut off by the bezel of TV.

Safe Area n Once your presentation is finalized. REMOVE the safe area blocks by selecting "Master Slide " from the "View" menu and manually deleting the black blocks. n Use this template as a Master and then save your presentation with a different file name.