If you have more than one image on a slide, do this

I’m a proponent of a single image on a presentation slide. 

Just a single, clear, compelling image. As the old adage goes, it’s “worth thousand words.” More images are likely to confuse the image with too many “words.”

If, however, you really need to incorporate more than one image on a slide in order to convey the intended message of the slide (as in the case of a “team” slide in a pitch deck, for example), here are a few ways to make that message come through clearly and minimize visual clutter:

Ways to improve the images in your presentation

  • Select “clean” photos with the least amount of background noise possible.
  • If the image you need to use has background noise, eliminate the background of each image entirely and put the remaining image on a neutral background to create cohesion amongst different images. (Strongly encouraged for “team” slides.) 
Each photo’s background is perfectly suitable for use as a single image, but creates visual “noise” when alongside each other. Imagine four or six of these with different backgrounds.
The same photos, with the original background removed and placed on a neutral background, eliminates the distraction.
  • Make images the same size and orientation. Align edges vertically and/or horizontally to make it easy for the eye to follow.
  • If a photo needs to be a different size or orientation (because it’s the most important photo), be intentional about placement and size to ensure the implied message (its importance) is obvious.
  • Give all the images a similar treatment: convert to black and white, frame with a colored outline, or color wash with a brand color. Canva is a free, easy-to-use tool for this if you don’t already have a preferred way to edit your images. 

Related tip: if you’ll be speaking to each image on the slide, be sure to place the images in the order you address them—left to right, top to bottom, the same way you read a page of a book. Don’t make the audience work unnecessarily; serve them by positioning your images according to their natural eye flow.

If your aim is to serve your audience (and it should be), do everything you can to make your message as effective as possible. Make it easy on their eyes and they’ll more quickly internalize your message.

Need a review of your slide deck? Make an apppointment for real-time feedback or send it over for written recommendations. I’ll be happy to provide a cost estimate; contact me here.

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