Principles for effective slides

AI summary

This article outlines principles for effective presentation design, arguing that slides should function as a complementary visual channel rather than a standalone document. The author emphasizes controlling the rate of knowledge exposition, maintaining tight coupling between the speaker and visuals, and avoiding the 'death-by-PowerPoint' approach of content-heavy, text-based slides.

Key points

• Slides should be used as a complementary visual channel to the speaker, not a replacement for them.
• Presenters should maintain control over the rate of knowledge exposition, which is lost when slides are distributed as reading material.
• Design and visual elements should prioritize supporting the narrative and evoke positive emotions to improve audience engagement.
• Conventional rules like word-per-bullet limits should be replaced by a minimalist, integrated design approach.