Q: As I’m doing a corporate presentation, do you think I should put the logo on each slide?
A: This is a tricky question and not easy to answer. Many times, corporations will have overloaded templates that have colored elements and logos on each slide. And oftentimes you will be obligated to use these templates when creating slides.
But in my opinion, big logos and elements will clutter the slides and might get in the way of content. So for many of my own presentations I will usually start with white, empty slides. I will usually have a “design style” in mind already (e.g. type of font, use of pictures, elements, etc) but I will not have different elements on the slide already.
With company presentations, I will try to clear the template as much as possible while still being in the “corporate frame”. And then I will start with the slides.
Though if the templates are badly made, you might want to ask your boss to have them re-made professionally, or if you are self-employed you might want to get a professional to do some work for you on presentation slide templates or maybe consider changing to the blank all-white template.
A similar answer I have given to a previous question: Should I use headings/titles on my presentation slides?
{ 3 comments }
Clean and simple is the answer here.
Avoid clutter.
What’s the sense of branding each slide? If you do good work, they’ll see you out. If you don’t, why put your name on it?
Thanks for the Post.
Hi Fred,
thanks for the comment. Yes, branding each slide can sometimes be excessive. A clear message is what should be aimed for. But over-branded slides are still very common in the workplace. So, sometimes, you need to work with what’s given.
I see the need for templates, but I don’t see the need for cluttered templates. My current mindset for these cases: One step at a time.
I disagree with Fred - a correctly designed template should be subtle and not distract from the slide at all, but still project a professional image.
Yes, there is a fine line between design and clutter, but if trodden carefully, it can produce the best of both worlds. And if the template is designed so that it remains in place while the rest of the slide transitions, it can remain a subtle, professional touch, without distracting from the message.
That said - there are some really awful templates out there. And these can definitely be worked on!
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