Journal

Why the design is already decided.

The thinking behind the defaults you never have to argue with — gradients, one accent colour, where the eye lands on a 16:9 slide, right-to-left layout, charts that make a claim, and writing less than you think.

A gradient is a decision, not a decoration

Gradient backgrounds look cheap because they are chosen last; a wash picked first decides text colour, entry point and mood.

DesignJul 29, 2026

One accent colour is enough

Colour on a slide is a pointer, and a pointer used six times points at nothing — one accent over a grey base is the whole emphasis system.

BrandJul 14, 2026

Where the eye lands on a 16:9 slide

The eye finds the biggest contrast difference first and the speaker second, so a slide gets one idea, high in the frame, short enough to fit its box.

CraftJun 30, 2026

Right-to-left is a layout problem, not a translation one

Translating a deck does not flip it: unless slot order, alignment and the rail mirror with the words, an Arabic slide still reads as English.

DesignJun 11, 2026

Charts that argue, and charts that just sit there

A slide chart earns its place only when its title states a finding and one accent colour points at the proof; everything else is decoration.

DataMay 27, 2026

Fewer words than you think, then fewer again

A slide gets three seconds from someone already listening to you, so write it last, state the finding, and let the tool count the characters.

WritingMay 8, 2026