Let’s start by thinking about the bar graphs and pie charts you can create quick and easy in PowerPoint. Help them make an even bigger impact by using your brand colors instead of PowerPoint’s default hues. You most likely have one or two brand colors to work with, here’s your chance to get outside of the box a bit: consider also using a secondary palette of shades.

You can make this secondary palette yourself—tilt your brand color a little more red, a little more yellow, and you’ll start to develop a set of shades that will inject even more life into your brand’s assets.

Almost every program gives you the opportunity to select a color other than the shades they have pre-selected.

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Apply this thinking to images as well.

Don’t go crazy looking for your exact brand color either. Choose a selection of images that includes lighter and darker shades of the same color. Not only will the images function as support and context for your main points—as they’re meant to do—but they’ll look cohesive and down right slick. And, let’s face it, visual appeal is attention grabbing!

Slow down and take a deep breath—you’ve got this.
But if it’s time to bring in a pro, give me a ring!
-Amy

Did you know…

Stock illustrations don’t have to remain in their original tones?

It’s hard enough to find stock illustrations that convey your ideas, let alone one in your brand’s colors. You’ll make stock images look much more custom if you edit the colors to match your palette. Side note: if you find these tips aren’t working, it’s a sign from heaven—it’s time to update your programs.

Three steps and you’re in business:

ONE
File format matters: you MUST start with either an .eps or an .svg file which are native, layered illustration files that allow editing. This means you’ll want to conduct your image search in a stock photo site versus Google search. Yep, .jpg or .png won’t cut it. Next, in order for this to work in PowerPoint or Word, you must use an .svg. To convert an .eps file to an .svg file, simply head over too https://cloudconvert.com/

TWO
Insert the .svg file into Powerpoint or Word (Insert > Picture(s) > Picture from File)

THREE: PowerPoint
A. Once inserted, double click the image OR choose “Graphic Format”

B. Choose “Convert to Shape”

C. Choose “Yes” when the alert comes up

D. Ungroup the elements of the illustration: Arrange > Ungroup

THREE: Word
A: Right click (Control + click) on the image, choose “Convert to Shape” and say “yes” to the alert

B: Right click (Control + click) and choose “Group > Ungroup”

That’s it! Each piece of the illustration is now free to change colors
**This works best when the illustration is created with basic, solid colors—when there are a lot of gradients, the conversion isn’t as clean**

Slow down and take a deep breath—you’ve got this.
But if that doesn’t work, get in touch!
-Amy