How do you balance words and pictures on slides?

1 Use the 6x6 rule

A common guideline for slide design is to use no more than six words per line and six lines per slide. This helps you avoid cluttering your slides with too much text that might overwhelm or bore your audience. Instead, use short, simple, and relevant phrases that highlight your main ideas and complement your verbal delivery. If you need to provide more details or explanations, use your voice, not your slides.

2 Choose pictures wisely

Pictures can enhance your slides by adding visual interest, emotion, or evidence to your message. However, not all pictures are equally effective. Choose pictures that are relevant, high-quality, and consistent with your theme and tone. Avoid using pictures that are too small, blurry, or generic. Also, avoid using too many pictures on one slide, as this might create visual noise or confusion. Use pictures to support or illustrate your words, not to replace or contradict them.

4 Use contrast and hierarchy

Another way to balance words and pictures on slides is to use contrast and hierarchy to create emphasis and clarity. Contrast is the difference between two elements, such as color, size, or shape. Hierarchy is the order of importance or relevance of the elements. You can use contrast and hierarchy to draw attention to the most important or relevant words or pictures on your slides. For example, you can use a larger or brighter font for your headline, or a darker or more saturated color for your picture. You can also use contrast and hierarchy to create a logical flow or sequence for your slides.

5 Test your slides

The final tip to balance words and pictures on slides is to test your slides before you present them. Testing your slides can help you check if they are clear, readable, and consistent. You can test your slides by previewing them on your computer, projecting them on a screen, or printing them out. You can also test your slides by asking for feedback from someone else, such as a colleague or a friend. Testing your slides can help you identify and fix any issues or errors that might affect your presentation.