These recommendations are for staff preparing PowerPoint presentations for archiving via the digital lecture streaming service. Note that these guidelines are especially important when preparing for users with low bandwidth modem connections.

Text

• Consider font and font size for readability - the recommended size is 32 pts
• The recommended minimum font size is 24 to 28 pts using a sans serif font
• Be aware of how many lines of text are on screen - keep it below ten
• Choose font faces that are simple and easy to read, sans serif fonts are recommended, e.g. Arial
• Avoid font faces with complex shapes,
  e.g.
• Avoid italics
• Choose colors for good contrast against backgrounds
• Avoid red as it is highly saturated and difficult to read
• Variations of greens, blues and yellows work well
• Black and white are good
• Preview color palettes to check contrast

Backgrounds

• Solid color is recommended
• Try to avoid textures as they have unnecessary detail and make text difficult to read

Graphics

• Use descriptive text at recommended minimum size
• For charts choose colors with good contrast to background
• Choose Bar charts and Pie charts instead of Line charts
• Change fonts to sans serif and check font size in charts for readability

Information Presentation

• Don't list key points all at once
• Reveal key points one at a time
• Highlight areas you want the user to focus on
• Dim previous points

Effects

• Avoid animation where possible - if animations are required keep them as simple as possible
• Avoid transitions - simple cuts work best

General

• Consider copyright restrictions
• Remember accessibility issues

References

For more information please see the article Preparing PowerPoint presentations for video conferences and streaming web casts at Virginia Tech Video/Broadcast services.

There are also UC specific PowerPoint templates that meet these recommendations.