The Quote Slide [Design and Layout Tips]
- Ink Narrates | The Presentation Design Agency
- 5 days ago
- 7 min read
Our client, Michael, asked an interesting question while we were working on his investor pitch presentation.
“How do you make a quote slide not look like an afterthought?”
Our Creative Director answered,
“Treat it like it has a job to do, not like it’s a break in the story.”
As a presentation design agency that specializes in high-stakes decks, we work on many decks throughout the year, and we’ve observed a common challenge with them: the quote slide often feels like a poster slapped onto a screenplay.
So, in this blog, let’s talk about what makes a quote slide unforgettable, where most go wrong, and how to design and layout one that actually strengthens the narrative instead of pausing it.
Why the Quote Slide Deserves More Respect Than It Gets
Most presenters think of the quote slide as a breather — a short pause before diving into the next big idea. That thinking is a trap. The quote slide is not filler. It’s not decoration. It’s a strategic tool. If placed well, it can be the hinge that shifts a room from skepticism to belief.
In investor decks, sales presentations, even boardroom reviews, the quote slide is usually meant to validate. A line from a customer. A sentence from a market leader. A fragment from a research paper or news outlet. But here’s what often happens: a quote is pulled, dropped into a slide with oversized quotation marks and a name in italics, and then left to do the heavy lifting on its own.
That’s a missed opportunity.
When designed with intent, the quote slide can be a moment of resonance. It can be the emotional lock-in. It can give the audience a voice other than the presenter’s — and often, one they trust more.
But that doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when the quote is treated as a piece of storytelling. And like every other part of a high-stakes narrative, it needs purpose, placement, and precision.
Designing the Quote Slide [Every Element Counts]
When designing a quote slide, the goal isn’t simply to “fit” the quote on a page and call it done. The goal is to make the quote an integral part of the presentation’s flow, adding weight and meaning to the larger story being told. A quote slide that’s just “there” has no impact. A thoughtfully designed one carries authority, emotion, and purpose.
1. The Quote Itself: Choose Wisely
Before anything else, the most important part of a quote slide is the quote itself. While this might seem like an obvious statement, it’s easy to overlook the power of words when you're designing slides under tight deadlines.
A powerful quote doesn’t just fill space. It serves as a proof point. It reinforces the theme. It connects with the audience in a way that transcends statistics or bullet points. So, when choosing a quote, ask yourself: Does this quote elevate the conversation? Does it build credibility or inspire the next step?
For example, if you’re presenting a new software solution to investors, a quote from a satisfied client praising the software’s impact on productivity will resonate more than a generic one about technology in general. If you’re presenting a new product launch to your team, a quote about innovation or leadership from an iconic figure in your industry can set the right tone.
The quote should be directly tied to your overall message and be something that sticks with your audience.
2. Text Layout: Less Is More
With a quote slide, the aim is not to fill the space with words. Minimalism works best.
Imagine a slide that’s too crowded. Too much text. It overwhelms the viewer, dilutes the power of the quote, and leads to distraction. Contrast that with a simple quote placed thoughtfully on a clean canvas — it captures attention, invites contemplation, and gives space for the words to breathe.
To achieve this, focus on:
Font Size: The quote should be large enough to be the centerpiece of the slide. But remember, size doesn’t just mean bigger text. It means using size to create a visual hierarchy. The quote itself should stand out, but not so much that it’s the only thing the audience can see.
Line Spacing: Don’t cram the words together. Let them breathe. A tight line spacing feels cramped and uncomfortable, while generous line spacing allows the words to be absorbed slowly, without overwhelming the viewer.
Emphasis: Not all parts of a quote are equal in importance. Highlight the most impactful part of the quote using bold or italic text. This can help direct attention to what matters most and create a rhythm in the design.
A good rule of thumb here is: don’t treat the quote as filler. Treat it like the centerpiece it is.
3. Typography: The Right Typeface Matters
The font you choose for a quote slide has to work hard. It’s not just about aesthetics; it’s about ensuring the font complements the quote’s tone, meaning, and purpose.
Serif vs. Sans Serif: Serif fonts (like Times New Roman or Georgia) carry a sense of tradition and authority. If the quote is from a thought leader or expert, a serif font often feels more appropriate. On the other hand, sans serif fonts (like Helvetica or Arial) give a cleaner, more modern feel. If your quote is from an innovative company or a forward-thinking product, a sans-serif font might be more fitting.
Font Weight: Use a bold or semi-bold font for the quote itself. It commands attention. Lighter weights should be reserved for the attribution (the person or source of the quote). This way, the quote is what grabs the audience’s attention first, and the attribution feels secondary, not competing with the message itself.
Avoid Overuse of Fonts: Using too many fonts or styles can confuse the viewer and detract from the power of the quote. Keep it simple. One primary font, with a complementary secondary font for the attribution, is enough.
When it comes to font size, the quote should dominate the slide. The attribution should be smaller but still legible. The idea is for the quote to take center stage, but the source needs to be visible enough to lend credibility without overshadowing the main message.
4. Whitespace: The Unsung Hero
One of the most important design elements for the quote slide is the strategic use of whitespace. Too often, quote slides are crammed into every corner, with no room for the words to breathe. This undermines their impact.
Whitespace gives your quote space to stand out, to make an impact. Without it, the slide feels cluttered, and the quote’s meaning is diluted.
By increasing whitespace around the quote, you’re guiding the viewer’s attention where it matters most. Too little space, and you risk overwhelming your audience. Too much space, and the slide feels disconnected.
Find the balance. Let the quote be the center of attention while still giving the viewer room to take in the message. This creates a feeling of importance around the quote and communicates that it’s something worth pausing for.
5. Alignment: Keep It Consistent
Consistency in alignment is critical. While experimenting with asymmetry and creative layouts is tempting, the quote slide doesn’t need to be overly complex. In fact, simpler is often better.
Here’s a breakdown of how alignment affects the slide’s visual appeal:
Center Alignment: Center-aligned text is usually the safest bet for a quote slide. It creates a balanced look, with the quote and its attribution resting in the middle of the slide. It’s symmetrical, inviting, and easy to read.
Left or Right Alignment: Left or right-aligned text might work if you’re aiming for a specific visual style, like a more dynamic or off-center look. But be cautious. If you go too far from the center, the quote might start feeling “lost” on the slide.
It’s important to ask yourself, “What emotion do you want the layout to convey?” Do you want the quote to feel formal, or do you want it to feel dynamic and forward-looking? Choose an alignment that complements the tone.
6. Color: Don’t Overdo It
Color is a powerful tool, but it can also distract. On a quote slide, the color palette should be simple, with enough contrast to make the quote legible. You don’t want to turn the quote into a rainbow of colors. Instead, use color to complement the mood of the quote.
Background Color: A white or neutral background works well for most quote slides, as it allows the quote to take the spotlight. For more dramatic effect, dark backgrounds with light-colored text can create a more somber or intense tone.
Text Color: Ensure high contrast between the background and text. A white background with black text is classic and legible. If using a dark background, light-colored text (white or light gray) is usually the way to go. Avoid bright, garish colors that distract from the quote.
Highlighting: Use color sparingly. Highlight a key word or phrase within the quote if needed — but only if it adds value and does not overpower the overall message.
The key is simplicity. The color should amplify the message, not compete with it.
7. Use of Imagery: When It Makes Sense
Images can be powerful on a quote slide — but they can also clutter it if not used strategically. The use of imagery should always support, not overpower, the quote.
Consider these guidelines when incorporating images:
Subtle Backgrounds: If an image is used, make it subtle. A faint image as the background behind the quote can add atmosphere without distracting from the text.
Relevance: The image should be tied to the message of the quote. A quote about leadership might pair well with an image of a person giving a speech, while a quote about nature might work best with a serene landscape.
Opacity: Consider reducing the opacity of the image to ensure the text remains legible. The focus should always be on the quote, with the image acting as a supporting element.
8. Transition and Animation: Less Is More
While a dynamic slide transition can grab attention, it’s often better to keep it simple when it comes to a quote slide. A sudden, flashy transition may distract from the power of the quote itself. The quote should be the main focus of the slide, and anything that detracts from that focus weakens the impact.
If you do use animations, make them subtle. A soft fade-in for the quote or an understated reveal can create a sense of anticipation without taking away from the message.
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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.