Learning all about graphic design and making “good” presentations has been interesting, fun and discouraging all at the same time. I have been learning a lot of different skills and receiving more creative ideas, but some of the stuff that has been shown to me seems to make some things I have learned throughout almost my whole school career go down the drain. I get a little frazzled with what I think is correct or not. For example, using no bullets in the presentation and not putting a logo on every slide. This is something that has been drained in my brain for such a long time, and now I am being told not to use these. It is definitely becoming a hard adjustment. Apparently I do not do very well when it comes to change.  I like the quote “Rules can be broken — but never ignored.” While working on my presentation for next class I have been doing more research about how to make a presentation better. I like these guidelines that I found:

   (1) Communicate — don’t decorate.
   (2) Speak with a visual voice.
   (3) Use two typeface families maximum. OK, maybe three.
   (4) Pick colors on purpose.
   (5) If you can do it with less, then do it.
   (6) Negative space is magical — create it, don’t just fill it up!
   (7) Treat the type as image, as though it’s just as important.
   (8) Be universal; remember that it’s not about you.
   (9) Be decisive. Do it on purpose — or don’t do it at all.
   (10) Symmetry is the ultimate evil.

These are what have been taught to us in the first two classes and I am trying to use them in powerpoint. I am hoping I can follow these guidelines without getting discouraged because it is a new process. I will have fun with it in the meantime!