Learning Objectives

  • Plan slides around one message each
  • Apply readable typography and contrast
  • Use the 6×6 guideline without turning slides into essays
  • Avoid common BBA-lab design failures
  • Critique a weak slide and rebuild it

Core Principles

1) Message first

  • One claim or question per slide
  • Supporting bullets or one visual — not both fighting for attention
  • Put detail in speaker notes, not on the slide

2) 6×6 guideline

  • Aim for ≤ 6 lines and short phrases
  • Prefer verbs and nouns over full paragraphs
  • If you need a paragraph, you need Notes or a Word handout

3) Colour and type

  • High contrast (dark text on light, or the reverse — pick one)
  • 1–2 font families; titles larger than body (≥ 20 pt body for rooms)
  • One accent colour for emphasis

4) Hierarchy and alignment

  • Title → bullets → visual → takeaway
  • Align left edges; keep equal gaps; avoid decorative diagonals

Common Mistakes in PRC 110 Decks

Mistake Fix
Wall of text Split into 2 slides or move text to notes
Default blank theme Apply Design theme; brand via Slide Master
Tiny chart labels Enlarge data labels; simplify series
Clip-art chaos Use one offline image style (office_view.svg)
Every object animated Animate only what you will talk about

Before / After Habit

For every crowded slide, rewrite:

  1. Title as the takeaway
  2. 3 bullets max
  3. One visual
  4. One sentence in Notes explaining the “so what”

Practice Task

Redesign five weak slides (your own draft or a classmate’s practice deck):

  • Consistent theme and fonts
  • ≥ 40% less on-slide text
  • One meaningful visual per content slide
  • Takeaway title on each slide

📚 Continue to: Slide Layout and Formatting