The importance of icons in PowerPoint
Icons are graphic symbols that represent specific information, motive, action or brand, they are not just a convenience, but a requirement in strategic communication. We see them every day, and for good reason too. Icons help us interpret and understand information.
PowerPoint is a communication tool, and as such, we need to take advantage of this tool in a way that makes it easy for our audience to understand and interpret our information. Icons on our PowerPoint slides play a vital role in design, drawing attention, categorizing, and simplifying information.
If placed strategically, the icons will draw our audience’s attention to the content. It’s like the icons are ‘hooks’ to the content on the PowerPoint slide.
At the end of this blog you can download a free PowerPoint with a pack of icons that will help you make your presentations more attractive, or if you prefer you can also download a fully editable template here.
We’ve all seen hundreds of slides like the first image, and it’s true to say that presentations like these don’t pack a punch. By adding some icons and losing text blocks like in the second image, it adds more value to the slide, attracts the attention of users and makes the slide clearer and more readable.
Don't use the wrong icons
When we use the wrong icons, it causes negative effects and can completely affect our PowerPoint slide. Our audience will not be able to interpret the information efficiently, make the correct associations, or even navigate through the different pieces of information on our PowerPoint slide.
Advantages of using icons
- They have meaning: Unlike the text block, the icon contains a drawing or an image. If the meaning of the icon is clear, the user will easily associate it with the meaning.
- They draw attention: It is difficult to draw attention to the text, but with the icons you can highlight key points.
- Make it easy to outline the slide: With icons you can make navigation easier, as they quickly let users know what the presentation is about and also draw users’ attention to the most important areas of the slide.
