Designing slides for the projector screen engrc 3350 spring 2011 S. Ahlers

Avoid designs that audiences may not be able to see on the projector screen Yellow text on a red background is high-contrast but “vibrates” for some viewers. 14-point text may be too small, even with high-contrast black text on a white background. White text on light background may not have enough contrast, even at 18-point. This gray text on a white background does not have enough contrast. This black text on a dark background does not have enough contrast. 2

Design your graphics for the projector, not for the laptop Many graphics (images, diagrams, and tables) are too complex for projected slides, or use text that is too small. If the graphic is too complex for your audience to see or includes text too small for your audience to see, then the graphic is probably noise, not signal. One solution is to simplify the graphic (e.g., replace table with chart). 3

Text in tables must be readable (this table may not be readable) 4

Text & images in diagrams must be readable (this diagram may not be readable) 5

Choose black text/white background or choose & test another high-contrast design The highest contrast is black text on a white background in at least 18-point. 24-point is even better. If you want to use color, think about whether the message conveyed by color outweighs a slight loss of contrast. Then choose a design that is only slightly less contrasting than black & white. Test the design with the classroom projector, viewing the design from the back of the room, to be sure the color contrast works. Black text on a light background might work. 6

What matters is what your audience sees If your audience can’t see the slides, then it doesn’t matter how good the slides look on your laptop or how hard you worked on the slides. If your audience can’t see the slides, then the slides don’t work. A good default is this one: black text on white background; 18-pt or larger for all text; simple diagrams and charts. Alternative: choose design with visibility in mind; test the slides on the projector. 7

Image credits Images on slides 4 and 5 are from National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Columbia Accident Investigation Board Report Volume One: Available at 8