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Mastering Graphics in PowerPoint

4.7 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Based on 117 ratings
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Alan Lomer

In this course I am going to show you how to master the use of graphics in PowerPoint. Everything you need to create stunning presentations with great visualisations can be done inside PowerPoint and I am here to help you do this. 

This course covers: 

1. Understanding visualisation and graphics formats  - A short overview of what graphics are and how to use them in presentations 

Read more

In this course I am going to show you how to master the use of graphics in PowerPoint. Everything you need to create stunning presentations with great visualisations can be done inside PowerPoint and I am here to help you do this. 

This course covers: 

1. Understanding visualisation and graphics formats  - A short overview of what graphics are and how to use them in presentations 

2. How to create graphics using PowerPoint shapes - How to use PowerPoint's basic drawing tools, and add various formatting options. We will also see how the various tools can save time and create a professional result.  Includes a number of examples to show how the techniques can produce some impressive and impactful results. 

3. Creating custom shapes - Go beyond the basic drawing tools to see that you can draw virtually anything by refining, combining shapes and drawing custom shapes. Includes also a step by step exercise to draw an impressive looking lightbulb graphic from scratch. 

4. 3D In PowerPoint - See the various 3D capabilities in PowerPoint and create a 3D graph in the exercise. We will also look at the various rotations, bevels and rotations and how they affect the look. At the end I will show you how to make some stunning slides examples with clever use of the inbuilt 3d options. 

5. Icons, Illustrations, and Smart Art - We check out PowerPoint's inbuilt icons, modify them to suit your designs and also look at Illustrations and some good uses for Smart Art. 

Drawing on over 20 years experience of creating slide presentations for 100s of companies, I will share knowledge and tips in this course that took me years to learn. At the end of this course you will have the knowledge to create highly impactful visual slides for companies large or small.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Create stunning visual presentations with graphics
  • Improve your powerpoint workflow
  • Learn powerpoint's graphic tools and how to best apply them
  • Learn how to create your own graphics from scratch

Syllabus

See how visualisation can improve your slides. Understand the difference between vector and bitmap graphics and the typical formats for each. How to use the Quick Access Toolbar to speed up your
Read more

Visualisation is the process of taking text or figures and turning them into visual content. Create your own visual slides by using powerful but simple techniques that I will show you in this course.

An overview of the different graphics formats that can be used in PowerPoint.

What are vector graphics and when should you use them?

The Quick Access Toolbar can speed up your workflow considerably. Download my toolbar or make your own.

How to create, format and modify PowerPoint's built-in shapes.

All shapes in PowerPoint can have text in them. Let's look at the formatting options.

You can reformat many shapes at once by grouping them.

Alignment and distribution functions are really useful, especially when drawing graphics.

When moving or re-sizing objects, smart guides appear to help with spacing and alignment.

An example of using basic shapes in a slide.
For this first exercise try to re-create this simple agenda slide.

Let's look at the different ways a shape can be filled.

Shapes can be outlined in many styles. Lines can have different cap, join and arrow types.

The shadow effect helps elevate a basic shape to give it visual depth.

PowerPoint has a range of effects to add to shapes such as reflection, glow, soft edges and bevel.

Let's take the agenda slide from the previous exercise and enhance it using some of the techniques we've just covered.

There are various preset effects and quick styles which can be applied to a shape.

Use this feature to change a shape but maintain all of the formatting and animation settings.

How to use gradients and simple shapes to make this sunrise animation.

Spice up your quotes

A clever way of creating an interesting video style animation effect.

Every shape has anchor points within its outline. Learn how to edit these points to create new shapes.

Let's look at the PowerPoint tools to help you draw custom shapes.

This animated flower illustration example demonstrates how to create graphics by combining, refining and formatting PowerPoint shapes.

You can make new custom shapes by combining shapes in various ways using the Merge Shapes feature within Shape Format.

Combine techniques above to create this custom illustration of a lightbulb. Then I'll provide a step by step explanation of how I did it.

Long shadow effect

Here we will use 'Edit Points' & 'Merge Shapes' along with the Morph transition to make some interesting ways of displaying photos.

How to transform  a 2D shape into a 3D shape.

Follow my guide &. then try to create your own custom 3D graph using the 3D techniques we've just covered.

Creating shapes using the bevel options.

Let's see how the materials and lighting settings affect the way shapes look.

Let's look at other ways you can change the way that 3D objects look.

Let's play around with some of the 3D settings to create unique looks for the 3D graph we created in the last exercise.

Here's how to make great looking 3d text and animate it using the morph transition.

3D Book Example

Find out how to create this interactive and animated 3D menu system.

This 3D folding phone example demonstrates 3D rotation and animation techniques.

3D models can be inserted and manipulated into your presentations and animated using the morph transition.

Here we show up have to apply styles and customize and adapt icons from the PowerPoint icon library

How to use icons from online icon resource sites.

A more unusual source for icons is to use emojis. Here's how import, convert and modify emojis to use in your presentations.

A look at different icons styles available, and how to convert from style to style.

How to manipulate and refine icons that you have downloaded.

Try creating this timeline using icons and some simple animation to bring it to life.

How to use animation to give your icons more impact and engage your audience.

PowerPoint contains a selection of partially coloured illustrations, all with a consistent style.

A look at downloading and using illustrations from other online sources.

Here we cover some of the more useful dynamic SmartArt layouts.

Let's look at some text transformations that are available via the WordArt Styles section.

The drawing tools allow you to draw directly onto your slides using a mouse, touchscreen or stylus.

Here's a clever way of creating a text reveal animation using the draw tools.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Develops skills in creating custom shapes and 3D graphics, which are useful for professionals who want to make their presentations stand out
Explores the use of icons, illustrations, and SmartArt, which can enhance the visual appeal and clarity of presentations for diverse audiences
Teaches how to use PowerPoint's drawing tools and formatting options, which can save time and create professional-looking results for business presentations
Requires access to Microsoft PowerPoint, which may require a subscription or one-time purchase for learners who do not already have it
Focuses on techniques applicable to a specific software, which may limit its applicability to other presentation software or design contexts

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Reviews summary

Mastering powerpoint graphics: practical & efficient design

According to learners, this course is a highly practical guide to mastering graphics in PowerPoint, particularly valued by those seeking to create professional presentations. Students found the coverage of techniques like Edit Points, Merge Shapes, 3D effects, and the Morph transition to be invaluable. Many appreciated the instructor's tips for improving workflow and speeding up presentation creation. While practical examples were praised for aiding understanding, some learners noted the course's depth and pace can be uneven, with a few finding it too basic if they had prior experience. One review suggested parts may be outdated.
Instructor shares valuable tips from experience.
"The instructor's experience shines through. The tips and tricks shared are gold."
"Things you won't easily find elsewhere were shared by the instructor."
"The instructor is clear and easy to follow."
Real-world examples aid understanding.
"The practical examples like the lightbulb were fantastic for understanding the concepts."
"Practical examples make this course stand out."
"Learning to draw complex graphics from simple shapes using the examples was powerful."
Tips help speed up presentation creation.
"I found the Quick Access Toolbar tips really helpful for speeding up my workflow."
"I can now create stunning visuals much faster thanks to this course."
"Appreciated the focus on how to achieve professional results efficiently."
"Learned great ways to use grouping and alignment functions for drawing graphics."
Learn powerful shape and graphic tools.
"This course took my PowerPoint skills to the next level, especially the sections on using Edit Points and Merge Shapes."
"The techniques for creating custom shapes and using icons effectively are invaluable."
"Excellent practical tips and step-by-step guides. The morph transition section was particularly impressive."
"I learned how to draw complex graphics from simple shapes, a truly powerful skill."
Some content may be outdated.
"Outdated information and interface examples."
"The course needs a major update."
"Some tools looked different from my version of PowerPoint."
Good for some, too basic or fast for others.
"While the shape manipulation parts were good, I was hoping for more advanced techniques."
"Felt a bit slow at times, then jumped quickly in other sections."
"Too basic for me... Didn't offer many new insights."
"Might be okay for complete beginners, but wasn't worth it for me with some prior experience."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Mastering Graphics in PowerPoint with these activities:
Review Basic Shape Creation in PowerPoint
Practice creating and formatting basic shapes in PowerPoint to build a strong foundation for more complex graphics.
Browse courses on Shape Creation
Show steps
  • Open PowerPoint and create a new presentation.
  • Insert various basic shapes (rectangles, circles, triangles) onto a slide.
  • Experiment with fill colors, outlines, and effects for each shape.
  • Group and align shapes to create simple compositions.
Read 'The Non-Designer's Design Book'
Learn basic design principles to improve the overall aesthetic and effectiveness of your PowerPoint graphics.
View Presentation Book on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'The Non-Designer's Design Book' by Robin Williams.
  • Read the chapters covering the four basic design principles (CRAP).
  • Analyze existing PowerPoint slides and identify areas where these principles could be applied.
  • Incorporate the design principles into your own PowerPoint graphics.
Read 'Slide:ology: The Art and Science of Creating Great Presentations'
Learn the principles of effective presentation design to enhance the impact of your PowerPoint graphics.
View Good Charts for Persuasive Presentations on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Slide:ology' by Nancy Duarte.
  • Read the chapters focusing on visual communication and slide design principles.
  • Identify key takeaways and apply them to your PowerPoint graphics.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Design a Visual Metaphor
Develop a visual metaphor using PowerPoint shapes and effects to represent a complex concept.
Show steps
  • Choose a complex concept to visualize (e.g., teamwork, innovation).
  • Brainstorm visual metaphors that could represent the concept.
  • Create the visual metaphor using PowerPoint shapes, colors, and effects.
  • Present your visual metaphor and explain its meaning.
Redesign Existing Presentation Slides
Improve your skills by redesigning existing presentation slides to be more visually appealing and effective.
Show steps
  • Find a presentation with poorly designed slides.
  • Identify the weaknesses of the original slides (e.g., cluttered layout, poor color choices).
  • Redesign the slides using the techniques learned in the course.
  • Compare your redesigned slides to the originals and explain the improvements you made.
Recreate Complex Graphics
Enhance your skills by recreating complex graphics from existing presentations or websites using PowerPoint's tools.
Show steps
  • Find examples of visually appealing graphics online or in presentations.
  • Analyze the graphic's structure, shapes, and effects.
  • Recreate the graphic in PowerPoint using the techniques learned in the course.
  • Compare your recreation to the original and identify areas for improvement.
Build an Infographic
Apply your PowerPoint graphics skills to create a visually engaging infographic on a topic of your choice.
Show steps
  • Choose a topic for your infographic.
  • Research and gather data related to your topic.
  • Design the layout and visual elements of your infographic in PowerPoint.
  • Incorporate data visualizations, icons, and text to communicate your message effectively.
  • Share your infographic online or in a presentation.

Career center

Learners who complete Mastering Graphics in PowerPoint will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Presentation Designer
A presentation designer crafts compelling visual stories using slides. This role involves not just laying out text but creating impactful graphics, animations, and visual elements to enhance the message. The Mastering Graphics in PowerPoint course directly applies to this work, providing training in the creation of custom shapes, 3D graphics, and the effective use of icons and illustrations within PowerPoint, all of which are crucial for visually engaging presentations. A presentation designer would find value in the course's hands-on exercises in drawing, editing, and combining shapes.
See salaries and explore the career path for Presentation Designer
Training Specialist
A training specialist develops and delivers training programs. Because training often involves visual aids, the Mastering Graphics in PowerPoint course may be useful in enhancing these materials. A training specialist could use the course to create engaging and memorable visuals for presentations and training sessions. The course’s focus on creating custom shapes, 3D graphics, and using icons and illustrations directly applies to creating impactful training materials, thus helping a training specialist better engage and educate their audience.
See salaries and explore the career path for Training Specialist
Communications Manager
A communications manager is responsible for shaping a company's messaging both internally and externally. Often, this includes the creation of presentations and reports. The Mastering Graphics in PowerPoint course can help a communications manager craft visually compelling content using customized shapes, 3D graphics, and well-chosen icons. With better mastery of these tools, a communications manager can more effectively communicate and present complex ideas, whether to clients, stakeholders, or internal audiences.
See salaries and explore the career path for Communications Manager
Sales Representative
A sales representative presents products or services to potential clients. The Mastering Graphics in PowerPoint course may be beneficial, as it directly addresses the issue of presenting information in a compelling way. A sales representative could use the course to create memorable and engaging sales presentations, using the skills taught in the course to improve the visual appeal of slides. The course’s emphasis on custom shapes, animations, and visual elements translates directly to more persuasive sales presentations using PowerPoint.
See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Representative
Instructional Designer
An instructional designer develops learning materials, often involving visual aids to explain complex topics. This role requires visual communication skills, and the Mastering Graphics in PowerPoint course may be useful in creating engaging and informative slide decks. An instructional designer could use the course to improve the clarity and impact of their learning materials by utilizing custom shapes, animations, and 3D elements within PowerPoint. The course's focus on visualization techniques is also relevant for designing visually attractive and effective training programs.
See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Designer
Educator
An educator is responsible for teaching students, often through the use of presentations, and may benefit from the Mastering Graphics in PowerPoint course. The course allows an educator to create visually engaging and informative slides using the drawing tools, custom shapes, and 3D capabilities that are taught. By learning effective methods for creating graphics within PowerPoint, an educator may greatly enhance their teaching materials, and capture the attention of students.
See salaries and explore the career path for Educator
Consultant
A consultant provides expert advice to businesses. This often includes presentations and reports. The Mastering Graphics in PowerPoint course may be useful for a consultant, as it enables the creation of more impactful, visually appealing presentations. A consultant can use this to communicate complex information clearly and persuasively. The skills taught in the course, such as creating custom shapes and 3D graphics, may be useful in conveying data effectively. Consultants rely on compelling visuals.
See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant
Marketing Specialist
A marketing specialist communicates a company's message to its target audience. This often involves creating presentations, reports, and marketing collateral containing visual aids. The Mastering Graphics in PowerPoint course may be useful, as it helps a marketing specialist create impactful visuals using PowerPoint's drawing tools, custom shapes, and 3D capabilities. Visual communication is essential in marketing, and this course helps build that skill through hands-on examples and exercises. The course’s coverage on icons, illustrations, and SmartArt also allows for the creation of visually compelling content.
See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Specialist
Content Creator
A content creator produces various forms of media, including presentations, videos, and graphics. These may be used for online platforms. The Mastering Graphics in PowerPoint course may be useful in crafting high quality visual content, as it trains users to use PowerPoint's drawing tools and custom shapes, 3D features, and libraries of icons and illustrations. By mastering the software, a content creator can create visually appealing content for a wide range of media..
See salaries and explore the career path for Content Creator
Project Manager
A project manager oversees projects from start to finish. This involves creating presentations to update stakeholders on progress. The Mastering Graphics in PowerPoint course may be useful in developing visually engaging project presentations. A project manager would find the course helpful in creating custom graphics, using 3D elements, and incorporating icons and illustrations to communicate project plans and progress more effectively. The course's focus on visualization and quick creation tools within PowerPoint can help a project manager deliver more impactful updates.
See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager
Graphic Designer
A graphic designer creates visual content to communicate messages, often for branding, marketing, or advertising. Though this role often requires more specialized software, the Mastering Graphics in PowerPoint course helps improve creative skills and build a foundation in visual design concepts like shape creation, 3D modeling, and the use of visual elements. While not a primary tool for a graphic designer, PowerPoint can serve as a rapid prototyping tool and a convenient way to visualize ideas and share concepts. The course's focus on custom shape creation may be useful to this role.
See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic Designer
Business Analyst
A business analyst interprets data to provide insights for business improvement. This frequently involves visual representation of information. The Mastering Graphics in PowerPoint course may help a business analyst craft more visually engaging and effective data presentations. The course's focus on visualization and its techniques related to custom shape creation and 3D graphics in PowerPoint can help improve communication of findings. The course can help a business analyst better present complex data by employing graphics effectively.
See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst
Digital Marketer
A digital marketer uses online channels to promote products or services. The Mastering Graphics in PowerPoint course may be helpful in creating visually compelling presentations, reports, and social media content. A digital marketer might find this course useful in conveying information in a visually engaging way, using the custom shapes, illustrations, and animations from the course. The course’s focus on visualization and the use of shapes and visual elements in PowerPoint can help a digital marketer create more engaging presentations and marketing materials.
See salaries and explore the career path for Digital Marketer
Technical Writer
A technical writer creates documentation for technical products or services. While this role is often focused on written communication, the Mastering Graphics in PowerPoint course may be helpful for creating diagrams and visual aids. A technical writer could use the course to improve visual explanations within their documents, employing custom shapes and 3D graphics. Clear visual communication can be enhanced with this course, which may help a technical writer to reduce ambiguity with graphics within technical documents.
See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer
Research Analyst
A research analyst compiles and interprets data to inform decisions. This role often requires the presentation of research findings in a visual format. Though this role primarily processes information, the Mastering Graphics in PowerPoint course may be helpful in presenting findings. A research analyst could use the course to better communicate findings through visuals, especially when presenting to non-technical audiences. The course's focus on visualization directly helps in creating engaging presentations with custom shapes, 3D graphics, and a wider range of visual aids.
See salaries and explore the career path for Research Analyst

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Mastering Graphics in PowerPoint.
Cover image
Good Charts for Persuasive Presentations
Save
Explores the principles of effective visual communication and presentation design. It provides a framework for creating compelling slides that engage audiences and convey information clearly. It valuable resource for understanding the theory behind good slide design, which complements the practical skills taught in the course. This book is commonly used by industry professionals.
Good Charts for Persuasive Presentations
Paperback
Check
Good Charts for Persuasive Presentations
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Presentation Book
Save
Introduces the fundamental principles of design, such as contrast, repetition, alignment, and proximity (CRAP). Understanding these principles will help you create more visually appealing and effective PowerPoint graphics. It is particularly useful for those without a formal design background. This book is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions.
Presentation Book
Paperback
Check
Presentation Book
Kindle Edition
Check

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Rating
4.7 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Effort
4.5 total hours
Via
Udemy
Instructor
Alan Lomer
Language
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Develops skills in creating custom shapes and 3D graphics, which are useful for professionals who want to make their presentations stand out
Explores the use of icons, illustrations, and SmartArt, which can enhance the visual appeal and clarity of presentations for diverse audiences
Teaches how to use PowerPoint's drawing tools and formatting options, which can save time and create professional-looking results for business presentations
Requires access to Microsoft PowerPoint, which may require a subscription or one-time purchase for learners who do not already have it
Focuses on techniques applicable to a specific software, which may limit its applicability to other presentation software or design contexts
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