Create clear and convincing internal communications, strategic plans, research reports and other boardroom-style slides.

Picture & Wallpaper  

Decide what is important and what is context. If everything is important, then nothing is important, and the eye will not know where to look.

The important elements should be called out with darker colors, because it automatically draws the eye to notice them. The less important elements should be subdued with lighter tints.

The important elements are called the “Picture”. The less important elements are called the “Wallpaper”. Always ask yourself “What is the Picture? What is the Wallpaper? Where do I want the reader’s eye to go?” Then use color to highlight the Picture and to subdue the Wallpaper.

You can also use location (upper-left corner), whitespace and size (large) to emphasize the Picture and subdue the Wallpaper.

Next: Aesthetics