20 slides, 15 seconds a slide, 5 minutes on stage, just you and the audience.
An Ignite talk is a fast-paced, high-energy presentation format where speakers share their ideas in just 5 minutes, using 20 slides that auto-advance every 15 seconds. It’s designed to spark curiosity, ignite passion, and deliver insights quickly—perfect for bold ideas and compelling storytelling that leave a lasting impression.
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Do: Focus on a larger vision, insight, or inspiration that sparks possibility. Think “What could be?” not “Here’s what is.”
Don’t: Narrow your talk to small details, data dumps, or purely technical explanations. Save those for lectures or reports.
Do: Use your talk to ignite curiosity, passion, or imagination.
Don’t: Treat your Ignite Talk as a classroom lecture, academic paper, or corporate presentation.
Do: Treat your talk like a performance—pacing, storytelling, and energy matter. Have fun. Be expressive.
Don’t: Read off a script or monotone through the slides. The format is designed to keep things alive and fast-paced.
Do: Use stories, metaphors, and personal experiences to connect. Let your personality come through.
Don’t: Rely on bullet points or text-heavy slides to carry your message.
Do: Think of visuals as scenery for your story—images, symbols, or surprising contrasts that amplify your words.
Don’t: Fill slides with text, charts, or detailed diagrams. People should listen to you, not read the screen.
Do: Embrace the irreverent energy of Ignite. Humor, playfulness, and bold statements are welcome.
Don’t: Be stiff, overly serious, or afraid to push boundaries. This is not a boardroom.
Do: Practice with the 20-slides/15-seconds rule until your rhythm feels natural. Rehearse for timing.
Don’t: Over-script to the point of sounding robotic. Energy > perfection.