Tutorial

Bringing a Camera to Life with PowerPoint Animation 

When one of our favorite brands approached us with a creative request, we knew we were in for a fun challenge! For this project, they wanted a camera animation — complete with a flash and a photo magically “printing” from it.  

The goal? Make it feel like the camera was taking a picture — all within PowerPoint. But like most creative adventures, this one had a few interesting twists behind the scenes. 

Preparing the Assets for Animation  

To create the illusion of a flash and photo ejecting from the camera, we needed to gather the image components and, in some cases, make some specific modifications. For the photo to look like it is coming out of the camera, we needed 2 layers of the camera image, with the bottom layer being the full camera and the top layer cropped right to where the photo will spit out. 

Making the Magic with Morph  

The star of the show? PowerPoint’s Morph transition. We used Morph to animate the photo “printing” out of the camera.

The trick was placing the camera on Slide 1 with a slightly squished photo, hiding under the first camera layer. Then, as the slide animates, the photo comes out of the camera on a motion path, making it appear as if it’s animating out of the camera at the correct angle (this is why we squished the photo).  

Then on Slide 2, with the photo already visible, we let Morph do the interpolation and stretch the photo to its normal un-squished size as it moves into position with the other two photos joining it. The illusion was smooth and seamless as you see here. 

However, this part of the animation was problematic at first – our camera was popping on top of our photo for a brief moment during the morph animation, which clearly looked wrong. With a few extra layers and proper labeling in the selection pane, we essentially added a duplicate camera image underneath the photo and animated it to appear as the other camera layer disappeared.

To further play into this camera moment, we used the flash burst asset created earlier and animated it to quickly appear and then disappear using simple fade-in and disappear-out animations timed to the sequence.  

The Final Touch 

To tie it all together, we made sure the colors, timing, and movement all aligned with our favorite doll’s playful and stylish brand. The end result? A moment of animated delight that felt right at home in this fabulously fun and pink world. 

– Christie and the TLC Creative design team 

This month, the staff at TLC Creative Services has been looking into creating stop motion videos and GIFs using PowerPoint as the creator app. We’ve looked at how to create slides for stop motion, we created a process diagram to be used in a presentation, and we’ve shown you some fun examples.  

Now, let’s create, using PowerPoint, an animated GIF specifically for a LinkedIn post.  LinkedIn posts commonly use a square (1080×1080) image size.  

Determine the PowerPoint Slide Size 

Before we set up our slide size, let’s look at PowerPoint’s GIF export options. GIF files can export to 4 specific pixel sizes: 

• Extra Large 1080 pixels 

• Large 720 pixels 

• Medium 480 pixels 

• Small 240 pixels 

Since PowerPoint Exports only to the specific options above, our slide can be any size so long as the slide size is a square (and isn’t unreasonably small). We set up our slide size to be 8″ x 8″, which we will eventually export at the “Extra Large” option.  

Create Your Stop Motion in PowerPoint 

Summertime is a great time to get outdoors for a run, so we researched and found some vector assets on Adobe Stock. 

We then created an 18-slide (or in traditional animation terms, an 18-frame) animation in PowerPoint, using each position of our runner – one position for each slide.  

A graphic of grass was then added, duplicating the graphic and aligning it end-to-end, making sure the art was long enough to create a seamless loop for the final animation. Specifically, the edge of the grass graphic was lined up to the right edge of our first slide (the first frame).  Then, skipping to the last frame, the grass graphic was moved all the way to the left, so the edge was lined up with the left side.  

To come up with the distance the grass should move between each slide, a little math was needed. We know there are 18 frames, but we won’t count the 1st slide, so we have 17 frames to move the graphic. Ultimately, we need to take the length of the grass and divide it by 17. Pulling up the “Format Shape” tab and under “Shape Options” click the “Size & Properties” icon.

Under “Position” we can see the starting horizontal position is -68.15″. Then, going to slide 18, we see the ending position is -0.11″. So, we have 68.04″ to move our grass along the 17 slides.

Doing some more math, 68.04″ divided by 17 is 4.002″…let’s round it to 4″ for our sanity. Our grass should move 4″ each frame and we can control this through the same “Position” box, moving our grass to the right by subtracting 4″ from the horizontal position for each slide as you move from slide 2 through slide 18. This ensures an even-flowing animation that can loop seamlessly. The final touch was adding the background with the sun.  

Next, we set the slide transition to “None” and set the slides to auto advance “After 00:00” seconds.  

After setting our presentation to loop, we previewed the animation in slide show mode, to confirm it looped seamlessly. We are now ready to export our animation as a GIF, making sure to select “Extra Large” so it will export at the 1080×1080 pixel size:

1. Go to File Export 

2. Scroll down to “Create an Animated GIF” 

3. Select the resolution you want the GIF to be (we want “Extra Large”) 

4. Then simply click “Create GIF” and you are all set! 

Here is a look at the final animation: 

Creating stop motion-like animations, whether they end up as a video or GIF, is relatively easy and can be fun when done in PowerPoint. We’ve only scratched the surface of what you can do and create, but we hope we’ve given you the knowledge and inspiration to explore stop-motion in PowerPoint! 

-Jake and the TLC Creative Design Team 

We are looking back to February 2020 and the post entitled, “Use PowerPoint Text As Part of Background Design”. Click here to view the full 2020 post.  

Looking back, I feel this was a pretty simplistic example of a slide design. I know it was inspired by a real client project (and like most of our design work, that project was under an NDA and not able to be directly shared). But I have a new project that incorporates text into the background that I feel is much more dynamic! 

In this new slide design tutorial, we’ll use a speech bubble SVG from The Noun Project and transform it with shadows, bevels, AND a subtle logo texture as part of its background, all for a polished and presentation-ready design element. If you don’t have access to The Noun Project (highly recommended), you can replicate this slide using your own art. 

Step 1: Insert and Prepare the SVG

Start by downloading a speech bubble .SVG file from The Noun Project and inserting it onto your slide (I use the PowerPoint add-in, but you can also go to The Noun Project’s website).

Once placed, right-click and choose Convert to Shape (if needed) so all the PowerPoint style options are available. 

Step 2: Add a Drop Shadow

To give the icon a little depth, apply a drop shadow with these settings:
Size: 100%
Blur: 8.5 pt
Angle: 90°
Distance: 1 pt 

This creates a subtle, soft shadow that lifts the icon just enough off the background. 

Step 3: Apply a Bevel and Contour

For extra dimension, use a Round Convex bevel:
Width: 5 pt
Height: 5 pt
Then, add a contour set to 3.5 pt. This gives the edges of the speech bubble a nice highlight and makes it feel more 3D. 

Step 4: Fill the Speech Bubble with an Image

Next, fill the inner blank area of the speech bubble with an image of the Facebook logo:
Go to Shape Fill > Picture or Texture Fill
Choose the Facebook logo image (this Facebook logo is also sourced from The Noun Project)
Check “Tile picture as texture”
Set Scale X and Scale Y to 5% 

This creates a tiled pattern of the Facebook logo inside the bubble — a cool effect that works well for digital or social media-themed slides. 

Step 5: Add a Soft Color Overlay

To blend the texture and unify the look, copy and paste the same inner shape directly on top. Then fill it with a solid color and set the transparency to 25%. 

This soft overlay mutes the tiled pattern just enough while keeping the detail visible underneath, giving your speech bubble a professional, layered look. 

Step 6: Add Text on Top

Now add a text box over the speech bubble and type something like: Add Facebook stat/callout here. 

This is where you can highlight a key metric, social media insight, or fun engagement fact to make your design more informative and engaging. 

Now, Let’s Repeat the Same Steps Using a TikTok logo.  

Repeat the same steps as before, but with one small edit (I sourced the TikTok logo from The Noun Project).  

Back to Step 4: Fill the Inner Blank Area of the Speech Bubble with an Image of the TikTok Logo

Go to Shape Fill > Picture or Texture Fill
Choose the TikTok logo image
Check “Tile picture as texture”
Set Scale X and Scale Y to 5% 

Note: You may need to adjust the Scale X and Y percentages depending on the size of the logo being used for the repeated texture.  

Final Result

The final result is a presentation-ready graphic because all of the design was completed directly in PowerPoint! Not only is the branded and dimensional speech bubble a standout slide element, it’s native to PowerPoint, so it can scale and be edited easily. It’s a great example of mixing vector shapes, styling effects, and rich surface detail – all directly in PowerPoint, no Photoshop required.  

Want the final product for yourself? Download the editable TikTok PowerPoint slide HERE!

Hope you enjoyed these examples and design tutorial!

-Christie and the TLC Creative presentation design team 

Ever struggle with color matching within your PowerPoint slides? Maybe you want your text to match a logo, or you need a shape to blend in seamlessly with a background image. Whatever you need it for, PowerPoint has a simple but powerful tool that lets you pick up and reuse any color on your slide.  

What is the Eyedropper Tool? 

The Eyedropper is a color matching tool that grabs the exact hue from any visible element on your screen. It might be from a shape, an image, a logo, or a background. It is easy to use and guarantees your designs stay colorfully consistent.  

Accessing the Eyedropper tool can be a bit tedious, because it takes a few steps. You have to open the Format tab, click on the Fill Color, Font Color, or Outline Color dropdown (depending on what you’re changing). Then choose Eyedropper from the menu. Not too difficult, but it does take a few clicks. 

But First, Add the Eyedropper Tool to Your QAT: 

If you use the Eyedropper tool regularly, we suggest adding this feature to the Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) at the top of your PowerPoint window. 

1. Click the small dropdown arrow at the far right of the Quick Access Toolbar.

2. Choose More Commands.

3. In the new window, set the “Choose commands from” options to All Commands.

4. Scroll down and select Eyedropper (Eyedropper Fill in this case), then click Add >>

5. Click OK.

Now the Eyedropper tool is just one click away. No need to go through tons of color menus every time you need it!

Note: You can move the position of where the Eyedropper tool appears on your QAT by moving it up or down in the “Customize the Quick Access Toolbar” menu using the up and down arrows on the right. 

Once you have the Eyedropper tool added to your QAT, you’ll wonder why you didn’t add it earlier!  

The Eyedropper allows you to capture a fill color from any element on the slide – whether it be from an image, another shape, or even text: 

Extending Photo Backgrounds  

Here, we have inserted a square photo, but we’d would like to extend it to fill the whole frame.  

1. Select the image and click Crop from the Picture Format tab.

2. Drag and extend the crop area to fill the entire slide (trust us on this!).

3. Select and utilize the Eyedropper from the QAT and pick a color from the edge of the image’s background.

4. Done! You’ve created a seamless, solid background color.

What About a Color I Like from Outside PowerPoint? 

No worries! PowerPoint gives you the option to move the Eyedropper off the slide screen and onto something else open on your desktop. Borrow a color from a website, an image, or a document. In the example below, and in honor of the 50th anniversary of Jaws, we are picking up a hue from the movie’s color palette, which is a separate image I have open on my desktop.  

Again, select the Eyedropper tool from the QAT. This time, however, click and hold down the mouse button. Now, drag the cursor off the PowerPoint workspace and onto the desired color object. 

Final Thoughts 

Color matching just got a whole lot easier! The Eyedropper tool may be small, but it is an essential and powerful tool when it comes to slide design. Once it’s on your Quick Access Toolbar, it’s even faster to use and helps you stay on-brand and visually consistent with minimal effort.  

-Mike and the TLC Creative Design Team 

Want to make your presentation pop by showcasing a video inside a realistic iPhone frame? Whether you’re creating a product demo, UI walkthrough, or simply want a sleek modern look, this step-by-step guide will walk you through how to insert a video into PowerPoint, crop it, modify it to rounded corners (yes, video containers can have rounded corners!) – all while fitting seamlessly into a PNG or SVG image of an iPhone. 

Step 1: Insert Your Video 

• Go to the slide where you want the video. 

• On the Insert tab, click Video → choose This Device (note, for some of the styling options being applied, it must be an embedded video, not a web-based video). 

• Browse and insert your desired video file.

Step 2: Change Video Playback Settings to Set the Video to Play Automatically 

• By default, when you insert a video in PowerPoint, it’s set to play “On Click” as part of the animation timeline.   

• NOTE: Because this video is going to be underneath the iPhone image, it will not be manually clickable meaning you can’t “mouse over” the video to click it to play or pause. You can leave the animation setting to “On Click” but for our example we want the video to play automatically when the slide hits the screen.  

Click on the video to select it. 

1. Go to the Animation tab on the ribbon. 

2. Change to “Play” vs “Multiple”.

3. Look for the Start dropdown. 

4. Change it from “On Click” to “With Previous.”.

Now your video will begin playing as soon as the slide appears in Slide Show mode—no click required! For our example here, the video we chose is 1920×1080 (the teal gradation you see below).

Step 3: Layer the Video Behind an iPhone PNG Image 

Now, let’s place a phone on top of the video: 

1. Source an image of a realistic phone (ideally a PNG with a transparent screen area showing just the phone “frame”) or edit your image to remove the background and the screen area of the phone.

2. Insert your phone image onto the slide. 

3. Resize and position it as needed. 

Step 4: Crop the Video to Align to the Phone Screen 

To fit the video inside the vertical screen area of a phone (typically portrait aspect ratio), you’ll need to crop the video. You can do it like so:

1. Select the video and resize the video as needed to fit the phone (for our example, we’ve chosen a simple gradient with no content, so resizing isn’t critical).

2. With the video selected, in the Video Format tab, click Crop. 

3. Use the black cropping handles to trim the edges and create a portrait orientation, aligning the edge of the video just inside the edge of the phone. 

4. Click Crop again to apply changes. 

Step 5: Add Rounded Corners 

Our video now fits nicely inside the phone but you can see the corners. The good news is that videos in PowerPoint can be changed to any (yes any!) of the PowerPoint shapes. For this slide, we need rounded corners, which is an easy customization to the video. Believe it or not, PowerPoint is easier for this than video editing apps!

1. Select the video. 

2. Go to Video Format → Video Shape → Choose the Rounded Rectangle shape. 

3. Now use the yellow shape modifier (dot) to adjust the rounded corners to match the iPhone image’s rounded corners  

• TIP: zoom in on the slide for better control of the rounded corner adjustment. 

With just a few clicks, you’ve created a high-end, device-framed video display — no video editing software required. Perfect for UI demos, mobile app presentations, or just leveling up your PowerPoint visuals. 

Let your slides scroll like a screen — and wow your audience!  

-The TLC Creative design team