What is a Pecha Kucha Presentation [How to Create One]
- Ink Narrates | The Presentation Design Agency
- Apr 23
- 8 min read
Updated: Nov 23
While we were working on a presentation for our client Daniel, he paused for a moment and said,
“I read an article about Pecha Kucha presentations a few days ago and I still cannot figure out how people make them look so smooth.”
We build many Pecha Kucha presentations throughout the year and we keep noticing the same thing: most people understand the format, but they struggle to shape a clear story that fits the strict timing.
So, in this blog we will cover what a Pecha Kucha presentation is, why it works so well, and how you can create one that feels sharp, intentional and comfortable to deliver.
In case you didn't know, we specialize in making presentations. We can help you by designing your slides and writing your content too.
So First, What is a Pecha Kucha Presentation
A Pecha Kucha presentation is a fast-paced format where you present twenty slides, each shown for exactly twenty seconds, with the slides advancing automatically.
This format began in Japan as a way to make creative talks sharper and more engaging. The limited time on each slide encourages you to focus on strong visuals and clear insights. It keeps the story moving, cuts out unnecessary detail and helps your audience stay fully tuned in from the first slide to the last.
Why Does This Format Work So Well
The Pecha Kucha format works because it aligns with how people naturally absorb information. Its timing, rhythm and visual focus create a presentation that feels energetic, structured and easy to stay engaged with.
1. It keeps attention steady
The fixed twenty second slide timing creates a natural sense of urgency. Your audience stays alert because every slide matters and nothing lingers long enough to lose their interest.
2. It prevents overload
Since each slide moves on its own, you avoid packing in too much text or wandering into long explanations. This keeps your message clear and makes it far easier for people to follow your story.
3. It builds momentum
The format forces a consistent rhythm. Each slide becomes a quick step forward, which creates flow and removes awkward pauses. The story moves in a way the audience can feel.
4. It reduces pressure on the presenter
You work in short, focused blocks instead of long, complex segments. This makes rehearsing simpler and helps you deliver with confidence because the structure guides you rather than slows you down.
How You Can Create a “Pecha Kucha” Presentation That Feels Sharp, Intentional and Comfortable to Deliver
To make this format work for you, approach it like you are designing a clear path that your audience can walk through without feeling lost. Below is a step-by-step process that helps you shape a presentation that feels sharp, intentional and surprisingly comfortable to deliver.
1. Anchor Everything to One Clear Idea
A “Pecha Kucha” presentation collapses the moment you try to cover too many topics. The audience does not have time to interpret multiple themes at once, and you do not have time to juggle them. Start by defining one central point.
Helpful way to do this: Ask yourself, “If my audience remembers only one idea, what should it be?”
Example: If your topic is about improving remote work, your one idea could be: Teams work better remotely when expectations are consistently reinforced.
Now every slide beat can support this idea rather than introducing unrelated angles.
This single point becomes the spine of your presentation. Every slide either strengthens it or does not belong.
2. Break Your Message Into Twenty Simple Beats
A “Pecha Kucha” is all about flow. You need twenty micro ideas, each simple enough to express in twenty seconds. Think of these beats as stepping stones across a river. Each one should move your audience forward.
How to structure your beats: Write twenty short sentences. Each sentence should express one thought that contributes directly to your central point.
Example beats for the remote work topic:
What strong expectations look like in action
What happens when expectations are unclear
A common misunderstanding about remote freedom
A short story about a team miscommunication
Why daily clarity beats weekly checklists
The role of consistent leadership
A simple framework to set expectations
What employees need to feel aligned
A small practice that improves clarity…and keep going until you reach twenty.
This breakdown ensures you never overload a single slide. Your message becomes crisp instead of chaotic.
3. Use Visuals That Support, Not Distract
In a “Pecha Kucha” presentation, visuals are not decoration. They are emotional guidelines. They help your audience feel the meaning behind your words. A good visual should do one of three things: clarify, amplify or simplify.
How to choose visuals that work: Pick images that visually echo the idea you are expressing.
Examples:
• If you are talking about misalignment, show two arrows pointing in opposite directions.
• If you are explaining momentum, show a runner mid stride.
• If your point is about overwhelm, show a desk covered in scattered papers.
These visuals immediately spark recognition and reduce the mental load on your audience. They see the point while you explain it.
Avoid text heavy slides. Your words should carry the detail. The slide should carry the emotion.
4. Draft a Script, Then Strip It Down Until It Sounds Human
A polished script often looks beautiful on screen but collapses when spoken. Your job is not to impress with complexity. Your job is to sound grounded, direct and clear.
Start by writing freely. Then trim ruthlessly. You want each sentence to roll out naturally without feeling rushed.
Example of trimming:
Original: "Remote teams frequently encounter friction due to poorly communicated guidelines that lead to long term confusion among team members.”
Refined: “Remote teams run into trouble when guidelines get fuzzy. People start guessing and small misunderstandings grow fast.”
Short sentences. Everyday words. Natural pace.
If you cannot say a sentence comfortably in ten seconds, it will not work in a “Pecha Kucha” format.
5. Practice With Real Timing Until You Feel the Rhythm
Practicing without timing is one of the biggest mistakes. The twenty second shift changes the entire delivery. Without timing, you never learn how long your ideas really take.
How to practice correctly: Use a timer that advances every twenty seconds. Speak through your beats without stopping even if you fall behind. You want your mind to adapt to the rhythm, not the other way around.
Example of what you learn quickly:
• You will discover which sentences are too long.
• You will feel when a slide needs a shorter example.
• You will learn where to pause without losing time.
After a few rounds, your speaking naturally matches the pace. You begin to anticipate slide changes without looking at the clock.
This reduces anxiety because the structure becomes familiar.
6. Create Transitions That Carry the Audience Smoothly
In a “Pecha Kucha,” transitions matter because you switch slides quickly. Jumping from one thought to another without connection can confuse the audience.
How to build seamless transitions: Always end one point in a way that introduces the next.
Example:
Slide 4 ends with: “This confusion grew because nobody stated clear expectations.”
Slide 5 begins with: “Here is what clear expectations actually look like.”
The flow feels intentional. The audience stays with you.
Think of transitions as handoffs in a relay race. You cannot drop the baton.
7. Deliver in a Calm and Grounded Tone
Because the slides move quickly, many presenters feel pressured to speed up. The result is a rushed voice, tense body language and a frantic pace. That energy makes the audience uncomfortable.
The solution is counterintuitive. Slow your voice while maintaining the pace of ideas.
How to sound grounded:
• Use short sentences.
• Pause for a breath when needed.
• Focus on clarity instead of speed.
• Treat the presentation like a natural conversation.
A calm tone paired with a fast visual rhythm creates an engaging contrast. The audience can relax while the slides keep them alert.
8. Add One Real Story to Make Your Point Human
A story brings depth to a “Pecha Kucha.” It can be short, but it must reveal something meaningful. The goal is not drama. The goal is recognition.
Example story (20 second format): “Last year we worked with a team that missed a major deadline because everyone assumed someone else had updated the client. Nobody said it out loud. The silence created tension and the project slowed down. That moment showed us how damaging unclear expectations can be.”
This kind of story helps the audience relate your point to something real and familiar.
9. Use the Format as a Tool, Not a Restriction
A “Pecha Kucha” is not meant to limit you. It is designed to sharpen your thinking. When you embrace the constraints, your message becomes more powerful.
Mindset shift that helps: Instead of asking, "How do I fit everything in?” ask, “What is essential to say?”
This single shift makes your decisions easier. You begin shaping the presentation with intention, not fear.
The format takes the pressure off because the structure does half the work for you. You only need to guide the audience with clarity, presence and focus.
Now, a Few Tips on Delivering Your “Pecha Kucha” Deck Well
1. Treat the Timing as an Ally, Not a Threat
Instead of fearing the twenty second shifts, let them support your delivery. The automatic slide change forces you to keep moving, which prevents you from drifting or rambling. Once you stop resisting the timing, you start using it as a rhythm that carries you forward.
Example: Run through your presentation with a real timer three or four times. You will feel your pacing settle naturally.
2. Focus on One Clear Thought Per Slide
The moment you try to squeeze two ideas into one slide, you start rushing. Stick to the plan. One slide, one idea. This keeps you in control of your delivery and makes your message easier for the audience to follow.
Example: Ask yourself before each slide, “If the slide ended right now, would the point still be clear?”
3. Keep Your Tone Conversational
A calm voice makes the entire presentation feel more intentional. The audience trusts you when you sound like you know where the story is going. You do not need dramatic delivery. You need presence.
Example: Speak as if you are explaining your idea to a colleague during a coffee break. Friendly, steady and grounded.
4. Do Not Memorize, Internalize
Memorizing every word makes you sound stiff. Internalizing the flow makes you sound confident. You remember the beats, not the sentences. This allows you to adapt naturally without losing your place.
Example: Practice by explaining the same slide in slightly different words each time. If you can do that smoothly, you have internalized it.
5. Let the Visuals Carry Some Weight
You do not need to describe what is already visible on the slide. Let the image support your point so your words can focus on meaning, not description.
Example: If your slide shows a tangled rope, do not describe the rope. Talk about confusion, tension or lack of clarity.
Why Hire Us to Build your Presentation?
If you're reading this, you're probably working on a presentation right now. You could do it all yourself. But the reality is - that’s not going to give you the high-impact presentation you need. It’s a lot of guesswork, a lot of trial and error. And at the end of the day, you’ll be left with a presentation that’s “good enough,” not one that gets results. On the other hand, we’ve spent years crafting thousands of presentations, mastering both storytelling and design. Let us handle this for you, so you can focus on what you do best.
How To Get Started?
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Just click on the "Start a Project" button on our website, calculate the price, make payment, and we'll take it from there.