Information for Presenters

Slides and Text

• Use a consistent, easy-to-read sans-serif font, such as Calibri, Arial, Verdana, or Tahoma.

• Use large fonts that can be read from the back of the room.
  As a general guide: 40 pt for titles, 32 pt for subtitles or short bullets, and at least 24 pt for other text.

• For posters, use substantially larger text where appropriate and check that headings and key information can be read comfortably from several feet away.

• Keep slides concise: focus on one main idea per slide, avoid large blocks of text, and keep individual bullet points brief.

• Avoid ALL CAPS and place important text where it will remain visible to attendees throughout the room.

Color and Visual Design

• Use dark text on a light/off-white background or light text on a dark background.

• Avoid relying on color alone to communicate meaning, and be mindful of difficult-to-distinguish combinations such as red and green.

• Keep animations to a minimum and avoid flashing visual elements.

Images, Charts, and Media

• Keep figures, tables, and charts large and easy to interpret from a distance.

• Add alt text to meaningful images and graphics in slides or materials that will be shared electronically.

• Include captions for pre-recorded audio or video. When available, consider using automatic live captions during your presentation.

• During paper presentations, briefly describe important visual information aloud rather than relying on what appears on the screen.