The problem called template

Suppose I start a presentation like this:

I’m Arnaud from Analytic Storytelling.

Today I’m going to talk about templates.

By the way, I work at Analytic Storytelling.

A template is a standard layout for slides. Often with an organization logo and fixed colors.

I work at Analytic Storytelling.

Sounds absurd?

According to communication expert Jean-luc Doumont (recommended!), many people do something similar in presentations. Maybe you do it too, without knowing it.

Obviously, nobody literally says their name after every sentence.

But people do use a template on every slide.

For example, the Kennesaw State University (Georgia) template looks like this:

This isn’t about me trying to bash Kennesaw State University. Because almost every organization has a template like this.

If you’re working on a presentation, a template might feel comfortable.

There’s nothing on your slide yet. But it already looks professional.

Jean-luc Doumont thinks very differently about templates.

According to him, everything on a slide should contribute to the message. Anything that doesn’t, is visual noise. And visual noise makes your message less clear.

Doumonts own slides are very minimalistic. I’m a little less radical myself.

But seeing your template through his eyes is stimulating.

Regards,

Arnaud