Are you designing a PowerPoint presentation with a LOT of text? Want to make your points stand out in a sea of words but you’re not sure how? Here’s our answer: the skillful use of typography is one of the most important aspects of any slide layout! And how well it’s done will determine how well you can communicate your message.
Here’s An Idea: Go Big and BOLD!
One of the many powerful tools in a graphic designer’s typography toolkit is bold type. It’s heavier and darker than regular type and is designed to grab attention. It not only calls out significance but also helps the viewer quickly identify what is important.
We originally posted a similar article in August of 2020 and the same design principles apply today. Bold type can be used like a spotlight in the design with the goal of creating a clear visual hierarchy. Make something bold when it needs to stand out, like a headline, a call-to-action, or an important detail in a block of text or in a table.
But here’s the thing: bold fonts are used for emphasis, too much bolding can have the exact opposite effect!
When Everything is BOLD – Nothing is Bold
Overdoing the use of bold text makes the design feel loud, cluttered, and less legible. This is important because the presentation audience generally spends only a few seconds viewing a slide to capture the important details. The designer’s goal is to make sure the main points stand out and can be quickly identified.
The key is to use bold type sparingly, like a highlighter for your most important points. It should support your layout, not overwhelm it. So, don’t overdo it. A little goes a long way.
In the example below, everything is bold. Which points are the most important? The reader can’t tell, and the message is lost.
This next example uses bold type sparingly and only in the headline and subheads. At a quick glance, your audience can easily pick out ideas on what to do this summer, and your message is successful (backyard BBQ anyone?).
When used in the right place, selective bold text reinforces the message. Just ask yourself, “What do I want the viewer to notice first?”, then let bold type do the rest.
Happy bolding! This post is from our Look Back series, rediscovering previous blog posts with relevant PowerPoint Tips, Tricks, and Examples for today.
-The TLC Creative Design Team