1. PowerPoint Basics:
Tips and Design Principles

2. • Remember to use graphics and
special effects sparingly. This is
not an effective PowerPoint slide!
• Choose fonts and colors that are
easy on the eyes. Avoid light-
colored text, and consider using
sans serif instead of serif fonts.
• Do not place too much text on any
one slide. Keep plenty of “white
space” on each slide.
No! Yes!

3. • Choose graphics wisely – if
possible, they should convey an
idea at a glance. Leave adequate
“white space” and try to balance
the page.
Sources for graphics:
• Research Medical Library databases that contain images along with
articles: http://www3.mdanderson.org/library/databases/images.html
• MD Anderson’s Medical Graphics & Photography resource (may require
login): https://dcpwpcumulus.mdanderson.edu/guests/
• Google Advanced Image Search – limit results to “usage rights – free
to use or share: http://www.google.com/advanced_image_search

4. • Remember that this isn’t your grandparents’ PowerPoint! There are all kinds of
shapes, charts, and “SmartArt” that you can find under the “Insert” menu and
easily customize.
Customize
Me…
with a few
points and
clicks!
0
2
4
6

5. • PowerPoint is also useful for creating large posters. MD
Anderson has several templates for use by faculty, staff,
and students:
http://inside.mdanderson.org/departments/medical-
graphics/scientific-posters-slide-presentations.html

6. Follow the same design principles for
PowerPoint posters that you would for
slideshows:
• Use graphics wisely and try to
balance them with digestible chunks
of information
• Leave plenty of white space
• Use easy-to-read fonts
• Follow your institution’s “branding”
requirements if applicable

7. Don’t forget to include citations on your PowerPoint
slideshow or poster. Depending on where you got the
information, citations may be needed for:
• Paraphrased bullet points
• Data in charts or graphs
• Illustrations or photos if the creator is identified