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This project was for a university program. They needed a template that integrated their school colors, but was lively-energetic-modern-cool. That was the direction provided and from there I was able to go in any direction. I developed 5 concepts and this was the one selected.

The template also used a custom font, which was installed on all presentation computers vs. embedding in the presentation. It featured 3 master slides:
1. Title slide
2. Content slide
3. Full Frame slide

The full frame layout is unique in that generally this style master slide removes the title bar to allow room for images/charts that need the full frame. In this template the title are is actually defined by the absence of the content area. So the Full Frame slide has the content area extended, creating a full canvas for content.

Of course there is a lot of competing visuals with a template like this. The background is full of contrasting, dominant shapes. It has a definite flow that draws the eye across the slide (from left-right). Lots of small text could easily become lost. And this would not be first choice for “standard” corporate template.

For this project I was provided the full (raw) presentation before any design work began and was able see the type of content. Because the content was large, minimal and to-the-point (eg. no inserted 200 cell excel charts or 20 bulleted lines) I was able to go with a more dominant and visual template design.

Here are few slides from the presentation:

– Troy @ TLC

If you have boy, age 6-12, you a probably familiar with Secret Saturdays. This is a new cartoon series on Cartoon Network and with my 3 girls I was forced to enjoy some research watching several episodes to get in touch with my inner adventurous boy before developing this marketing template.

Working with entertainment properties, especially animated properties, is great. They have all the visual assets needed. And they are all high-res and layered (so no background).

For this project I assembled all of the characters into good and bad. Then selected the most vertical poses and went to work in Photoshop to create my layouts. The key characters (the good guys) are on the left, remain a constant throughout all master slides and positioned just far enough off the slides to not interfer with the content area. The background is a great line drawing the characters overlayed on the primary background color (pulled from the style sheet). And there are 4 master slides:
1. Theme (used at beginning and end of presentations)
2. Title slide
3. Content slide
4. Full Frame slide

Definitely not your standard corporate template – and I bet these presentations are more fun to sit through!

– Troy @ TLC