Know The Right Type Of Background For Your PowerPoint Presentation

When you are attending a presentation, which do you prefer – PowerPoint slides with dark backgrounds or light backgrounds?

Well, statistics have shown that six to seven of every ten PowerPoint presentations generated use light backgrounds! Does this mean that light backgrounds are superior and the most appropriate choice for your presentations?

To come to a decision, we will first explore the pros and cons of each type of background.

LIGHT BACKGROUND

Take a look around you. Everyday writing and reading material such as newspapers, magazines and books tend to adopt this formula of the light background. This makes it seem like a practical choice as it is familiar as well as popular with presenters.

Pros of a light background

In most cases, presenters prefer working with light backgrounds as they provide easy colour coordination and contrast. You can’t go wrong even if you use slides containing black text on a plain white background.

Light backgrounds are also most suited for printed handouts as they are bright in appearance to readers and audiences.

Cons of a light background

Despite the easy contrast light backgrounds provide, some among the audience may instantly switch off due to its plainness.

In addition, light backgrounds are more glaring on the eyes. In the course of a longer presentation, the audience may feel their eyes straining due to the light background of the slides, and this is likely to make them to feel drowsy.

DARK BACKGROUND

Dark backgrounds may not be as commonly used when compared to light backgrounds, but they add the air of sophistication and mystery to one’s presentation.

Pros of a dark background

For one, the rarity of dark backgrounds is exactly why they arouse the interest of the audience, and this gives the presenter an edge over those who use light backgrounds.

Moreover, the association of darkness with rest, coupled with the fact that dark backgrounds give an experience similar to being in a cinema, causes the audience to feel more relaxed and expectant.

Cons of a dark background

A problem with using dark backgrounds is that they go into the edges of the text, making it harder to read, and so the size of the text should be increased when you are using this type of background. Small text only magnifies the problem.

In a situation where the presenter is not effectively connecting with his audience, dark backgrounds also contribute to the inclination of the audience to sleep during the presentation if they get too comfortable.

THE MOST SUITABLE CHOICE OF BACKGROUND FOR YOU:

Actually, it could go both ways, as it mostly depends on the kind of presentation you are giving.

A dark background may be more appropriate for a short presentation, because it is more effective in leaving its mark on the audience. This is likened to viewing a short but impactful movie trailer.

For a longer presentation, one way is to start with a dark background, and make your audience sit up and pay attention when you are referring to important parts by using a bright white background at that point of time.

However, the best way to find out what is the most suitable choice for both you and your audience is to play around with both types of backgrounds, and then you can finally arrive at a decision.