When we first began crafting presentations for conferences, we quickly discovered that infographics were in high demand as presentation handouts.
So, like any agency worth its salt, we made infographics on Adobe Indesign or Adobe Illustrator and delivered them to our clients.
However, there was a snag in this process — our clients struggled to make edits to these infographics. Let’s face it, not everyone has the time or patience to become a master of such complex software.
That’s when we had an epiphany. Why not create these infographics on PowerPoint, a tool that virtually everyone knows how to use?
We dove in headfirst, playing with shapes, colors, and layouts until we found the perfect recipe. And it worked! Our clients were thrilled with the new infographics we produced for them. They were amazed at how easy it was to make edits in PowerPoint.
In this article, we’ll show you some super-easy steps to create eye-catching infographics that will leave your audience spellbound.
But, before we begin, let’s be clear — this article is for those who already have a decent grasp of PowerPoint design and can produce a good DIY output. If you’re an ultra beginner, we suggest you go for professional services.
So, how to make an infographic in PowerPoint?
1. Change the page size
Are you tired of being confined to the pre-set slide sizes in PowerPoint? Do you have a vision for an infographic that requires a custom page size, but feel limited by the program’s options? Fear not, for there is a simple solution that will unlock a world of creative possibilities.
Let’s say you have your heart set on an infographic that measures 800 * 2000 pixels. You may think this isn’t possible in PowerPoint, but think again! You can actually change the page size to any dimensions you desire.
To do this and make infographics in PowerPoint, simply follow these easy steps:
Click on the Design tab in the PowerPoint ribbon.
Select Slide Size from the options on the right-hand side.
Choose Custom Slide Size from the dropdown menu.
Enter your desired width and height in pixels or any other unit of measurement you prefer.
Click OK, and your slide size will be updated.
Voila! You now have a custom-sized slide that is ready to be transformed into the infographic of your dreams.
2. Write the content
When it comes to creating infographics, the old adage “less is more” couldn’t be more true.
Infographics are all about delivering information in a concise, visually appealing way that grabs the viewer’s attention and leaves a lasting impression.
To make infographics in PowerPoint that truly shine, it’s important to start by consolidating your content and streamlining your message. Remember that infographics are short chunks of information that are meant to convey complex ideas in a clear, easy-to-understand manner.
Once you have a clear understanding of your message, you can structure your content in a way that is both visually compelling and highly informative.
3. Make it visually appealing
Don’t forget the meaning of the word infographic. It means “a visual representation of information or data”.
To begin, gather all the design resources you need to put together your infographic masterpiece.
Remember, vectors are the way to go when it comes to PowerPoint, and they work best when in .svg format.
So, when you’re choosing icons and illustrations for your infographic, make sure they’re in this format to save yourself a headache later on.
Once you’ve collected all of your design elements, it’s time to upload them into your PowerPoint file. This step is crucial because you can make changes to the colors and shapes of the elements right here in PowerPoint. So, if you want your icons to be a different color or your illustrations to have a different shape, you can do it easily within the program.
4. Dive into the PowerPoint library
In PowerPoint, infographics can be found in the Insert tab. To find them, follow these steps:
Open your PowerPoint presentation
Click on the Insert tab in the top menu
Look for the Illustrations section
Click on the SmartArt option
In the SmartArt window, select the type of infographic you want to use from the list of options.
Once you have selected the infographic, you can start editing and customizing it to fit your specific needs.
Alternatively, you can also create your own custom infographics by using the various shapes, icons, and design tools available in PowerPoint.
5. Edit vectors in PowerPoint
If you can’t find the perfect vector for your infographic, you can always import vectors from outside sources.
Numerous websites offer free or paid vector downloads, with a vast selection to choose from. Simply search for vectors that are suitable for your infographic, and download them in the .svg format to ensure they can be easily edited in PowerPoint.
Once you have your vectors, you can easily change the colors and shapes to match the rest of your infographic. Follow these steps:
Once the .svg vector is inserted into the slide, click on it to select it.
In the top menu, click on the Format tab.
In the Format tab, you’ll see a variety of options for editing the vector. For example, you can change the color, size, and shape of the vector.
To change the color of the vector, click on the Fill button in the Format tab and choose the color you want.
To resize the vector, click and drag one of the corners of the vector until it’s the size you want.
To change the shape of the vector, click on the Shape Effects button in the Format tab and choose from the available options, such as adding a shadow or a 3D effect.
Once you have finished editing the .svg vector, you can save your changes and use them in your infographic.
Work with us
We hope you liked the article! At our Ink Narrates, we specialize in developing visually stunning presentations and infographics that captivate audiences. If you need professional help in creating infographics that truly shine, feel free to reach out to us. Our team of experienced designers is always ready to help you bring your ideas to life in the most impactful way possible.
Are you looking to get your presentations designed by professionals?
Check out our Presentation Design Services.