🧭 COMPLETE USER GUIDE — How to Use This Dashboard
🤖 AI Expert Guidance
This dashboard is your comprehensive reference for both video/animation production AND slide design. Here's how to get maximum value:
📋 Getting Started — 5 Steps
- Pick your class: Use tabs above to switch between Animation/Video (Class 1), Slide Design (Class 2), or Combined View
- Expand sections: Click any card header or ▼ button to reveal detailed content, prompts, and recommendations
- Copy prompts: Look for purple action buttons — click to copy prompts to clipboard for immediate use
- Track progress: Use checklists to mark completed items — progress bar auto-updates
- Quick navigation: Use keyboard shortcuts (1/2/3 for tabs, Ctrl+K for search, Esc to close)
Section 1: Video Production Workflow
Pre-production → Production → Post-Production → Distribution pipeline
Section 2: Animation Types & Styles
2D, 3D, Motion Graphics, Whiteboard, Character Animation, Kinetic Type
Section 3: Equipment & Technical Specs
Camera settings, lighting, audio, editing software, platform specs
Section 4: 12 Animation Principles
Squash & Stretch, Anticipation, Timing, Easing — professional techniques
Section 5: Content Strategy & Hooks
Hook formulas, content pillars, calendar template, distribution strategy
Section 6: Color Grading & VFX
LUTs, sound design layers, VFX techniques, audio mixing guide
Section 7: AI Tools for Production
Script AI, voice AI, video gen AI, editing AI, music AI, analytics AI
Section 8: Thumbnail Design & SEO
Thumbnail rules, SEO checklist, CTR benchmarks, A/B testing
Section 1: Slide Design Core Principles
6×6 Rule, Visual Hierarchy, White Space, Consistency, Contrast, Font Pairing
Section 2: Color Schemes & Palettes
8 color schemes with hex codes, 60-30-10 rule, color psychology
Section 3: Layouts & Structure Types
Title, Content, Data, Image, Transition, CTA slides + 5-step flow structure
Section 4: Typography Guide
Heading fonts, body fonts, size/weight/spacing table, minimum size rules
Section 5: Data Visualization
Bar, Line, Pie charts, Big Numbers, Tables, Infographics + design tips
Section 6: Presentation Delivery
Before/During tips, 10-20-30 rule, checklist with progress tracking
💡 Pro Tips for Maximum Efficiency
1. Double-click anywhere for a random prompt generator — great for brainstorming.
2. Use Ctrl+K or Cmd+K to open search and find specific prompts instantly.
3. Toggle dark/light sections by clicking on info-toggle headers to focus on what you need.
4. Copy prompts using the purple action buttons — paste directly into ChatGPT, Claude, or your AI tool of choice.
5. Track your progress with the Ultimate Checklist at the bottom — complete items as you go through production.
🎬 Video Production — Complete Workflow
Video production is a multi-phase process. Each phase has specific prompts and deliverables. Understanding the full pipeline is essential for professional output.
Phase 1 — Pre-Production 📝
Concept development, scriptwriting, storyboarding, casting, location scouting, scheduling, budget planning. This is where 60% of the creative decisions are made.
Phase 2 — Production 🎥
Actual filming/recording, directing talent, managing lighting, sound recording, capturing B-roll, managing set logistics.
Phase 3 — Post-Production 🎬
Editing, color grading, sound design, VFX, motion graphics, music scoring, final rendering and export.
Phase 4 — Distribution 🚀
Format optimization for platforms (YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn), thumbnail design, SEO, scheduling, analytics tracking.
📋 Script Writing Prompts
- Hook the viewer in the first 3 seconds
- Use the Problem → Agitate → Solution framework
- Keep sentences short (under 15 words)
- Write for the ear, not the eye
- Include a clear CTA at the end
- Use conversational tone
🎨 Storyboard Prompts
- Sketch every scene transition
- Define camera angles (wide, medium, close-up)
- Note lighting direction for each frame
- Add approximate timing per frame
- Include text overlay notes
- Map audio cues to visuals
🎙️ Voice-Over Prompts
- Match tone to brand personality
- Speak at 130-150 words per minute
- Use pauses for emphasis
- Vary pitch to maintain interest
- Record in a treated room
- Do 3 takes minimum per section
🤖 AI Expert Recommendation
For best results: Always specify the target audience demographics and tone in your prompts. The more specific your topic description, the more tailored the output. Use the PAS framework for persuasive scripts — it works because it mirrors how audiences naturally process information: Problem creates tension, Agitation amplifies it, Solution provides relief.
SHOT TYPES REFERENCE: Extreme Wide (establishing) → Wide (full body) → Medium (waist up) → Close-up (face) → Extreme Close-up (eyes/details). Use variety to maintain visual interest.
🎨 Animation Types & Styles Guide
🖐️ 2D Animation
Frame-by-frame or tweening. Tools: After Effects, Toon Boom, Flash. Best for: Explainers, characters, infographics.
🧊 3D Animation
CGI modeling, rigging, rendering. Tools: Blender, Cinema 4D, Maya. Best for: Product showcases, cinematic visuals.
📐 Motion Graphics
Animated text, shapes, transitions. Tools: After Effects. Best for: Titles, lower thirds, data viz.
🧍 Whiteboard
Hand-drawn style animation. Tools: VideoScribe, Doodly. Best for: Educational content, storytelling.
🤖 Character Animation
Rigging, keyframing, lip-sync. Tools: Spine, Live2D, Adobe Character Animator. Best for: Mascots, avatars, gamified content.
📰 Kinetic Typography
Text-driven animation. Tools: After Effects, CapCut. Best for: Quotes, lyrics, poetry, manifestos.
🌐 Stop Motion
Physical object frame-by-frame. Tools: Dragonframe. Best for: Unique branding, product demos, art projects.
🛠️ Animation Software Comparison
- After Effects — Motion graphics king. Steep learning curve.
- Blender — Free 3D powerhouse. Huge community.
- Toon Boom — Industry standard for 2D TV animation.
- Cinema 4D — Easiest 3D for motion designers.
- Vyond — Business/corporate animation. Drag & drop.
- Animaker — Online tool. Great for beginners.
⚡ Ease vs Linear vs Bounce
- Easy Ease — Slow in, slow out. Most natural. Use 80% of the time.
- Linear — Constant speed. Only for mechanical/robotic motion.
- Bounce/Overshoot — Exaggerated. Use sparingly for comedy/energy.
- Anticipation — Wind-up before action. Essential for believability.
PRO TIP: The best animation style matches your content type. Educational → Whiteboard. Corporate → Motion Graphics. Creative → 2D Character. Product → 3D.
🤖 AI Expert Recommendation
Style Selection Guide: Match animation style to your audience and platform. Educational content performs best with Whiteboard (simple, hand-drawn feel builds trust). Corporate training works with Motion Graphics (professional, clean). Social media needs 2D Character animation (playful, engaging). Product demos are best with 3D (realistic, impressive). Always start with a storyboard — it saves 40% of production time.
🎯 When to Use Each Animation Type
▼Best for: Explainer videos, character-driven stories, infographics, educational content. Tools: After Effects, Toon Boom, Spine.
Best for: Product showcases, architectural visualizations, cinematic content, gaming. Tools: Blender, Cinema 4D, Maya.
Best for: Titles, lower thirds, transitions, data visualization, corporate presentations. Tools: After Effects, Motion.
Best for: Educational content, training videos, process explanations, storytelling. Tools: VideoScribe, Doodly, Animaker.
📷 Equipment, Setup & Technical Specs
🎥 Camera Settings
- Resolution: 4K (3840×2160) minimum
- Frame Rate: 24fps (cinematic), 30fps (standard), 60fps (slow-mo)
- Shutter Speed: 1/50 or 1/60 (180° rule)
- Aperture: f/2.8 – f/4 for shallow DOF
- ISO: Keep as low as possible (100-800)
- White Balance: Manual, match your lighting
💡 Lighting Setup
- Key Light: 45° angle, main illumination
- Fill Light: Opposite side, 50% intensity of key
- Back Light: Behind subject, creates separation
- Use softboxes for even, flattering light
- Avoid mixed color temperatures
- Ring light for face-to-camera content
🎙️ Audio Setup
- Use external mic (NOT camera mic)
- Lavalier for on-camera talking
- Shotgun for ambient/interview
- Record room tone separately
- Monitor audio with headphones
- Audio levels: -12dB to -6dB peak
🖥️ Editing Software
- Premiere Pro — Industry standard
- DaVinci Resolve — Best free option
- Final Cut Pro — Mac optimized
- After Effects — Motion graphics & VFX
- CapCut — Quick social media edits
- Audition / Audacity — Audio editing
| Platform | Resolution | Aspect Ratio | Max Length | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube | 1920×1080 / 4K | 16:9 | 15 min (unlisted) | MP4 (H.264) |
| Instagram Reels | 1080×1920 | 9:16 | 90 seconds | MP4 (H.264) |
| TikTok | 1080×1920 | 9:16 | 10 minutes | MP4 (H.264) |
| 1920×1080 | 16:9 / 1:1 | 10 minutes | MP4 (H.264) | |
| Twitter/X | 1280×720 | 16:9 | 2:20 minutes | MP4 (H.264) |
📹 Camera Angles Cheat Sheet
- Eye Level — Neutral, conversational
- Low Angle — Power, dominance, heroism
- High Angle — Vulnerability, weakness
- Dutch Angle — Tension, unease, chaos
- Over the Shoulder — Dialogue, connection
- POV — Immersion, first-person experience
🎯 Lens Focal Lengths
- 14-24mm — Ultra wide, dramatic, vlogs
- 24-35mm — Wide, environmental, documentary
- 50mm — Natural, "human eye" perspective
- 85-135mm — Portrait, compression, flattering
- 200mm+ — Telephoto, sports, wildlife
🔌 Essential Accessories
- SD Cards: V60 minimum for 4K
- Tripod: Carbon fiber, fluid head
- ND Filters: Control exposure in bright light
- Gimbal: Smooth handheld movement
- Monitor: External for framing accuracy
- Slider: Smooth dolly shots
⚡ 12 Principles of Animation (Applied)
1. Squash & Stretch
Give objects weight and flexibility. Essential for making animation feel alive and physical.
2. Anticipation
Prepare the viewer for an action. A wind-up before a throw. Builds expectation and realism.
3. Staging
Direct the viewer's attention. Clear composition, focal point, no visual clutter.
4. Straight Ahead / Pose to Pose
Two workflows: frame-by-frame (fluid) or keyframe-first (controlled). Choose based on project needs.
5. Follow Through & Overlapping
Parts of an object continue moving after the main body stops. Hair, clothes, tails — add life.
6. Slow In & Slow Out (Easing)
Objects accelerate and decelerate. Never move at constant speed — it looks robotic.
7. Arcs
Natural motion follows curved paths, not straight lines. Use bezier curves for all movements.
8. Secondary Action
Supporting actions that enhance the main action. Walking + swinging arms = believable.
9. Timing
The number of frames between poses defines speed and weight. More frames = slower, heavier.
10. Exaggeration
Amplify movements for clarity and impact. Not realistic — expressive. Push beyond reality.
11. Solid Drawing
Good anatomy, volume, perspective. Even stylized art needs structural integrity.
12. Appeal
Characters should be engaging, readable, and have personality. Design with charisma in mind.
COMMON MISTAKE: Beginners skip timing and easing. These two principles alone separate amateur from professional animation. Always apply ease-in/ease-out to every movement.
🧠 Video Content Strategy & Hooks
🪝 Top 10 Hook Formulas
- "Stop doing [X] if you want [Y]"
- "I spent [time] so you don't have to"
- "The secret [industry] doesn't want you to know"
- "Here's what nobody tells you about [topic]"
- "Watch this before you [action]"
- "I tried [thing] for 30 days — here's what happened"
- "This one change increased my [metric] by [X]%"
- "You're making this mistake every day"
- "The [number] best [things] for [audience] in [year]"
- "What I'd do differently if I started over"
📊 Content Pillars Framework
- Educate — Teach something valuable (40%)
- Entertain — Make them laugh or feel (30%)
- Inspire — Show transformation (20%)
- Sell — Promote your offer (10%)
📅 Content Calendar Template
- Monday: Educational / Tutorial
- Tuesday: Behind-the-scenes / BTS
- Wednesday: Trending topic / Reaction
- Thursday: Case study / Testimonial
- Friday: Fun / Personality-driven
- Saturday: Product/Service promotion
- Sunday: Rest or repurpose content
🚀 Distribution Strategy
- YouTube: Long-form, SEO-optimized, evergreen
- TikTok: Short, trending sounds, raw/authentic
- Instagram Reels: Aesthetic, 15-30s, trending audio
- LinkedIn: Professional, thought leadership, B2B
- Twitter/X: Clips, threads, hot takes
- Email: Embed videos, drive to landing page
🤖 AI Expert Recommendation
Hook Formulas That Work: The best hooks create curiosity gaps or challenge assumptions. "Stop doing X if you want Y" works because it creates cognitive dissonance. "I spent 30 days doing X — here's what happened" leverages the commitment bias. Test multiple hooks with A/B testing to find what resonates with YOUR specific audience.
🪝 Top Hook Templates — Click to Copy
▼"Stop doing [X] if you want [Y]"
Creates urgency by highlighting a common mistake
"I spent [time] so you don't have to"
Leverages sunk cost + value proposition
"The secret [industry] doesn't want you to know"
Triggers curiosity + insider knowledge feeling
"This one change increased my [metric] by [X]%"
Specific numbers drive credibility + curiosity
🎭 Color Grading, Sound Design & VFX
🎨 Color Grading LUTs
- Teal & Orange — Cinematic, Hollywood look
- Warm Vintage — Nostalgic, film grain
- Clean Corporate — Bright, desaturated
- Moody Dark — Low key, high contrast
- Neon Cyberpunk — Saturated, colorful
🔊 Sound Design Layers
- Layer 1: Dialogue (primary)
- Layer 2: Music (mood setting)
- Layer 3: SFX (whooshes, hits, ambient)
- Layer 4: Foley (footsteps, clicks)
✨ VFX Techniques
- Green screen compositing
- Tracking & stabilization
- Particle effects
- Speed ramping
- Zoom transitions
COLOR PSYCHOLOGY: Blue = trust, Red = urgency, Green = growth, Yellow = optimism, Purple = luxury, Orange = energy. Choose your grade based on the emotion you want to evoke.
🎵 Music Selection Guide
- Upbeat/Corporate: Use royalty-free from Artlist, Epidemic Sound
- Emotional/Cinematic: Orchestral, piano-driven
- Energetic/Youth: Electronic, lo-fi beats
- Tension/Suspense: Dark ambient, minor key
- Volume Rule: Music at 20-30% of dialogue volume
- Copyright: Always use licensed or royalty-free music
🔇 Audio Mixing Cheat Sheet
- Dialogue: -6dB to -3dB (loudest)
- Music: -18dB to -12dB (background)
- SFX: -12dB to -6dB (accent)
- Room Tone: -30dB (ambient bed)
- Master Output: -14 LUFS (YouTube standard)
- Peak Limit: Never exceed -1dB
🤖 AI Tools for Video & Animation Production
🤖 Script & Idea
ChatGPT / Claude
Scripts, hooks, outlines, brainstorming
🎙️ AI Voice
ElevenLabs / Murf
Realistic AI narration, multi-language
🎬 AI Video Gen
Runway / Pika / Sora
Text-to-video, image-to-video
' AI Editing
CapCut AI / Descript
Auto-captions, auto-cut, filler removal
🎨 AI Animation
Kling / Viggle / DomoAI
AI-powered character animation
🖼️ AI Thumbnails
Midjourney / DALL-E
Custom thumbnails, concepts, storyboards
🎵 AI Music
Suno / Udio / Soundraw
Royalty-free custom music tracks
📊 AI Analytics
TubeBuddy / VidIQ
SEO, trends, performance insights
AI DISCLAIMER: AI tools are accelerators, not replacements. Always review AI output. Use AI for drafts, then humanize. Copyright and ethics still apply.
🤖 AI Expert Recommendation
AI Tool Stack for Video Production: Use ChatGPT/Claude for scripting and brainstorming → ElevenLabs for realistic voiceovers → Runway/Pika for AI video generation → CapCut AI for auto-editing and captions → Suno/Udio for custom music. Remember: AI generates drafts, YOU make creative decisions. Always add your unique voice and brand personality to AI outputs.
🤖 Top AI Prompts — Click to Copy
▼Script Writing Prompt
Write a 60-second TikTok script with hook in first 3 seconds
Storyboard Generation
Generate detailed storyboard with camera angles and timing
SEO Title Generation
Create 5 SEO-optimized YouTube title options
Voice-Over Script
Generate conversational voice-over script
🖼️ Thumbnail Design & Video SEO
🖼️ Thumbnail Design Rules
- Max 3 words of text (large, bold font)
- High contrast colors (yellow, red, white text)
- Face with emotion (eye contact = more clicks)
- 1280×720px minimum resolution
- Use PNG or JPG (not GIF)
- Test at small size — must be readable on mobile
🔍 Video SEO Checklist
- Title: Include primary keyword in first 60 characters
- Description: 200+ words, keywords in first 2 lines
- Tags: 8-15 relevant tags
- Hashtags: 3-5 in description (YouTube Shorts)
- Chapters: Add timestamps for long videos
- Cards & End Screens: Link to related content
🤖 AI Expert Recommendation
Thumbnail Design Principles: Your thumbnail is the ad for your video — 80% of click decisions come from thumbnail + title combo. Use high contrast colors (yellow, red, white on dark backgrounds). Always include a face with emotion — eyebrows raised, surprised expression. Test at 100px width — if you can't read it, neither can viewers on mobile. A/B test using YouTube Studio to optimize CTR.
🎨 Thumbnail Color Schemes
▼Click any color to copy its hex code
📋 Pre-Production Planning Checklist
📝 Pre-Production Documents
- Creative brief (1 page max)
- Script / shot list
- Storyboard (key frames)
- Shot list (camera angles, movements)
- Mood board (visual references)
- Music/soundtrack selection
📅 Production Schedule
- Call sheet (time, location, cast, crew)
- Shot list order (not chronological — group by location)
- Equipment checklist
- Talent release forms
- Location permits
- Backup plan for weather/tech issues
80/20 RULE: 80% of a video's success is decided in pre-production. Spend more time planning than shooting. A great plan with okay footage beats no plan with great footage.
♿ Video Accessibility & Inclusivity
🔤 Captions/Subtitles
- Always add captions (85% watch on mute)
- Use auto-captions + manual correction
- White text, black outline, bottom-center
- Sync timing within 50ms accuracy
🎨 Color Accessibility
- Don't rely on color alone to convey meaning
- Add text labels or patterns
- Test with color blindness simulators
- Minimum contrast ratio: 4.5:1
🔊 Audio Accessibility
- Provide transcripts for all videos
- Audio descriptions for visual content
- Sign language version for key videos
- Avoid flashing lights (seizure risk)
INCLUSIVITY MATTERS: 1 in 4 people have some form of disability. Accessible content reaches MORE people, not fewer. It's good ethics AND good business.
📐 Slide Design — Core Principles
Great slide design follows one rule: One idea per slide. If you can't explain the slide in one sentence, it has too much content.
1. The 6×6 Rule
No more than 6 bullets per slide. No more than 6 words per bullet. If you need more, split into multiple slides.
2. Visual Hierarchy
Size → Color → Position → Contrast. The most important element should be the largest, most colorful, and most prominent.
3. White Space is King
Don't fill every inch. Margins and padding let content breathe. White space = sophistication. Clutter = confusion.
4. Consistency
Same fonts, same colors, same spacing throughout. Use a master slide template. Inconsistency destroys professionalism.
5. Contrast
Dark text on light background (or vice versa). Minimum 4.5:1 contrast ratio for accessibility. Never use light gray on white.
6. Font Pairing
Use max 2 fonts: 1 heading font + 1 body font. Examples: Montserrat + Open Sans, Playfair + Lato, Poppins + Roboto.
🤖 AI Expert Recommendation
The 6×6 Rule in Practice: When designing slides, think of each slide as a billboard — you have 3-5 seconds to communicate the main idea. If your bullet point needs more than 6 words, ask: "Can I make this more concise?" Split complex ideas across multiple slides with clear transitions. The goal is instant comprehension, not comprehensive coverage.
🎯 Quick Font Pairing Guide
▼Modern & Clean
Montserrat + Open Sans — Perfect for tech, startups, professional
Elegant & Sophisticated
Playfair Display + Lato — Great for luxury, fashion, beauty
Friendly & Modern
Poppins + Roboto — Ideal for SaaS, apps, creative agencies
Bold & Impactful
Bebas Neue + Inter — Best for impactful headlines, events
🎨 Color Schemes & Palettes
🟣 Purple Royal
#7B2FF7, #E040FB, #1A0A2E, #F5F5F5
Luxury, creativity, tech, innovation
🔵 Ocean Blue
#1565C0, #42A5F5, #0D47A1, #E3F2FD
Trust, corporate, professional, calm
🟢 Forest Green
#2E7D32, #66BB6A, #1B5E20, #E8F5E9
Growth, health, finance, sustainability
🟠 Sunset Warm
#E65100, #FF9100, #BF360C, #FFF3E0
Energy, food, creativity, warmth
🔴 Bold Red
#C62828, #EF5350, #B71C1C, #FFEBEE
Urgency, passion, sales, attention
🟡 Golden Yellow
#F9A825, #FDD835, #F57F17, #FFFDE7
Optimism, caution, highlights, energy
🩵 Cyan Tech
#00838F, #00ACC1, #006064, #E0F7FA
Technology, future, clean, modern
⚫ Monochrome
#212121, #757575, #F5F5F5, #000000
Elegant, timeless, high-end, minimal
60-30-10 RULE: 60% dominant color (background), 30% secondary color (elements), 10% accent color (CTAs, highlights). This creates visual balance.
🤖 AI Expert Recommendation
Color Psychology Guide: Blue = trust/reliability (finance, tech, healthcare) • Red = urgency/passion (sales, food, energy) • Green = growth/nature (health, sustainability, finance) • Purple = luxury/creativity (beauty, fashion, tech) • Yellow = optimism/warning (food, caution, highlights) • Orange = energy/warmth (food, creativity, calls-to-action). Match colors to your message emotion.
🎨 Click Colors to Copy Hex Codes
▼📋 Slide Layouts & Structure Types
📄 Title Slide
Big bold title. Subtitle. Logo. Minimal. First impression = everything. Set the tone immediately.
📊 Content Slide
Title + 1-3 key points + visual/icon. Use the 6×6 rule. One idea. Clean layout.
📈 Data/Chart Slide
One chart per slide. Big numbers. Clear labels. Annotate the insight, don't just show data.
🖼️ Image Slide
Full-bleed image + minimal text overlay. Let the image speak. Text should complement, not compete.
🔄 Transition Slide
Section divider. Big section number + title. Gives the audience a mental break and orientation.
🎯 CTA / Closing Slide
Summary of key points. Clear call-to-action. Contact info. QR code. Make the next step obvious.
Hook — Opening slide that grabs attention (question, stat, bold claim)
Problem — Define the pain point your audience faces
Solution — Present your answer with evidence (data, examples, testimonials)
Proof — Case studies, results, social proof
CTA — Tell them exactly what to do next
DEATH BY POWERPOINT: Never read your slides. Slides are visual support, not a teleprompter. If you're reading, you've failed. Use speaker notes for details.
🔤 Typography Guide
📌 Heading Fonts (Bold, Large)
- Montserrat — Modern, geometric, versatile
- Poppins — Friendly, rounded, trendy
- Playfair Display — Elegant, serif, luxury
- Bebas Neue — Tall, condensed, impactful
- Oswald — Strong, narrow, bold
- Raleway — Thin, elegant, sophisticated
📝 Body Fonts (Readable, Clean)
- Open Sans — Neutral, highly readable
- Lato — Warm, friendly, professional
- Roboto — Clean, modern, Google-style
- Inter — Designed for screens, perfect
- Source Sans Pro — Adobe's readable workhorse
- Nunito — Rounded, soft, approachable
| Element | Size | Weight | Spacing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slide Title | 36–44pt | Bold (700-800) | Tight |
| Subtitle | 24–28pt | Medium (500) | Normal |
| Body Text | 18–22pt | Regular (400) | 1.4–1.6 line height |
| Caption / Footnote | 12–14pt | Light (300) | Normal |
MINIMUM SIZE RULE: Never go below 18pt for body text in a presentation. If the room is large, go bigger. If they can't read it, it doesn't exist.
📊 Charts, Graphs & Data Viz
📊 Bar Chart
Use for: Comparisons between categories. Horizontal bars are easier to read than vertical. Limit to 5-7 bars max.
📈 Line Chart
Use for: Trends over time. Max 3-4 lines. Use color to highlight the key line, gray out the rest.
🥧 Pie Chart
Use for: Parts of a whole (max 5 slices). Use a donut chart instead — it looks more modern. Avoid 3D pies.
🔢 Big Number Slide
One giant number + context. "Revenue grew 340%" — The number IS the slide. Minimal text, maximum impact.
📋 Table / Matrix
Use for comparisons with multiple dimensions. Keep it to 4×4 max. Highlight the key cell with color.
🗺️ Infographic
Combine icons + text + data into one visual. Tell a story visually. Use a clear flow (top-to-bottom or left-to-right).
NEVER DO THIS: 3D charts, pie charts with 10+ slices, cluttered axes, rainbow colors, default Excel charts. Always customize and simplify.
🎯 Data Storytelling Tips
- State the insight IN the chart title (not "Q3 Revenue" but "Q3 Revenue Up 45%")
- Use annotations to explain spikes/drops
- Remove gridlines, borders, 3D effects
- Use brand colors consistently
- One chart = one message
- If the audience needs a legend, the chart is too complex
📐 SmartArt Alternatives
- Instead of SmartArt → use icons + text layout
- Instead of bullet lists → use visual cards
- Instead of tables → use comparison infographics
- Instead of pie charts → use donut or bar charts
- Instead of clip art → use consistent icon set (Flaticon, Noun Project)
- Instead of default themes → use custom color palette
🎤 Delivery, Rehearsal & Pro Tips
🎯 Before Presentation
- Rehearse 3x minimum (out loud)
- Time yourself — cut 20% of content
- Test all tech (clicker, video, audio)
- Arrive 30 min early
- Know your first 60 seconds by heart
- Prepare for Q&A; — anticipate top 5 questions
🗣️ During Presentation
- Make eye contact (3-5 sec per person)
- Use the 10-20-30 rule (Guy Kawasaki)
- Pause after key points (let it sink in)
- Move — don't stand behind the podium
- Use your hands naturally
- Vary your voice (speed, volume, pitch)
10-20-30 RULE (Guy Kawasaki): 10 slides maximum. 20 minutes maximum. 30pt font minimum. If you can't follow this, you have too much content.
🤖 AI Expert Recommendation
Presentation Success Formula: Practice is the #1 predictor of presentation success. Rehearse out loud 3+ times, timing yourself. Know your first 60 seconds by heart — that's when you establish credibility and capture attention. Make eye contact with individuals for 3-5 seconds each. Pause after key points to let them sink in. Move around the stage intentionally — static speakers lose engagement after 10 minutes.
🎤 Before/During Tips — Quick Reference
▼🎯 Before Presentation
- Rehearse 3x minimum (out loud)
- Time yourself — cut 20% of content
- Test all tech (clicker, video, audio)
- Arrive 30 min early
- Know first 60 seconds by heart
- Prepare for Q&A; — top 5 questions
🗣️ During Presentation
- Make eye contact (3-5 sec per person)
- Use the 10-20-30 rule
- Pause after key points
- Move — don't stand behind podium
- Use your hands naturally
- Vary voice (speed, volume, pitch)
- ✓ Hook in first 10 seconds
- ✓ One idea per slide
- ✓ Max 6 bullets per slide
- ✓ Consistent fonts & colors
- ✓ High-quality images only
- ✓ Clear call-to-action at end
- ✓ Rehearsed out loud 3+ times
- ✓ Backup plan for tech failure
🛠️ Tools & Resources for Slide Design
📊 PowerPoint
Industry standard. Best for corporate. Use Designer feature (AI). Templates: SlidesCarnival, Slidesgo.
🎨 Canva
Best for beginners. Drag & drop. Thousands of templates. Free tier is powerful. Great for social media slides.
⚡ Google Slides
Best for collaboration. Real-time editing. Free. Integrates with Google ecosystem. Add-ons: Unsplash, Icons8.
🔥 Gamma.app
AI-powered presentation generator. Paste text → get slides. Revolutionary. Best for speed.
🖼️ Unsplash / Pexels
Free high-quality stock photos. No attribution needed. Search by mood/color.
🔷 Flaticon / Noun Project
Icon libraries. Use consistent icon style throughout. Free tier available.
📐 Figma
Design custom slides from scratch. Full creative control. Export as images/PDF.
🎬 Beautiful.ai
AI slides that auto-format as you add content. Smart templates. Premium but worth it.
🏗️ Slide Master, Layouts & Templates
🏗️ Slide Master Setup
- Set fonts ONCE in master (heading + body)
- Set colors ONCE in master (palette)
- Set logo position in master
- Set footer (slide number, date) in master
- Create custom layouts for each slide type
- Lock elements you don't want edited
📐 Essential Layouts to Create
- Title Slide (with logo + subtitle)
- Section Header (big number + title)
- Content Slide (title + 2 columns)
- Image + Text Slide (60/40 split)
- Quote Slide (centered, large text)
- Blank Slide (for interactive sessions)
PRO TIP: Spend 1 hour setting up your slide master properly. It saves 10+ hours of formatting later. Consistency is the #1 sign of professional design.
♿ Slide Accessibility Checklist
✅ Visual Accessibility
- Minimum font size: 18pt body, 24pt headings
- Contrast ratio: 4.5:1 minimum (WCAG AA)
- Don't use color alone to convey info
- Alt text on all images
- Avoid flashing animations (>3 flashes/sec)
- Readable fonts only (no decorative fonts for body)
🧠 Cognitive Accessibility
- One idea per slide
- Clear headings that describe the slide
- Consistent navigation structure
- No walls of text
- Use plain language (no jargon)
- Provide handouts for complex data
POWERPOINT HAS A BUILT-IN ACCESSIBILITY CHECKER: Review → Check Accessibility. It will tell you contrast issues, missing alt text, reading order problems. USE IT.
🖨️ Printing, Export & Handouts
🖨️ Print Settings
- Full Page Slides (best quality)
- 3 slides per page with notes (for presenters)
- Grayscale option (save color ink)
- High quality PDF export
- Embed fonts in PDF
- 300 DPI minimum for print
📤 Export Formats
- PDF — Universal, preserves design
- PPTX — Editable, for sharing
- PNG/JPG — For social media, email
- MP4 — Video export (narrated deck)
- Link — For online sharing (Google, Canva)
📄 Handout Best Practices
- 3 slides per page with notes
- Add extra context in notes section
- Include QR code linking to full deck
- Brand the handout with logo
- Use letter size (8.5×11) for handouts
🔥 THE ULTIMATE COMBINED PROMPT MASTER LIST
This is your master reference — every prompt you need for both Class 1 (Video/Animation) and Class 2 (Slide Design) in one place. Bookmark this page.
🎬 VIDEO & ANIMATION PROMPTS
🎬 Video Script
🎨 Animation Brief
📋 Storyboard
🧠 Content Strategy
📊 SLIDE DESIGN PROMPTS
📐 Slide Content
📊 Data Slide
🎯 Pitch Deck
📄 Full Presentation
PRO MASTER TIP: Combine both classes! Use animated video to present your slide content. Embed explainer animations into slides. Use motion graphics for data visualization. This is the ultimate presentation format.
⚡ Video Production vs Slide Design — Workflow Comparison
| Phase | 🎬 Video/Animation | 📊 Slide Design |
|---|---|---|
| Research | Script research, competitor video analysis | Audience research, data gathering |
| Planning | Storyboard, shot list, script | Outline, slide map, content hierarchy |
| Creation | Filming / Animating / Recording | Designing slides, choosing visuals |
| Editing | Cut, color grade, add SFX/music | Refine layout, fonts, colors, transitions |
| Review | Watch full video, check audio/video quality | Read through, check consistency, proofread |
| Deliver | Export, optimize for platform, upload | Export as PDF/PPTX, present or share |
📊 Slides Are Faster But...
Easier to update, great for data, professional settings, printable, quick to iterate.
BEST PRACTICE: Use slides for live presentations and video for online distribution. Repurpose: turn slides into a video with narration. Turn video into a slide deck summary. One content, multiple formats.
🤖 AI Expert Recommendation
Quality Checklist Philosophy: Each item on this checklist represents a common failure point in production. "Defined target audience" ensures your content resonates. "One idea per slide/scene" prevents cognitive overload. "Audio checked" prevents embarrassing quality issues. Review this checklist before finalizing ANY production — it's your quality gate.
- ✓ Defined target audience
- ✓ Written/recorded script or outline
- ✓ Max 2 fonts used throughout
- ✓ One idea per slide / per scene
- ✓ High-quality visuals (no pixelated images)
- ✓ Clear call-to-action included
- ✓ Audio checked (levels, clarity, music)
- ✓ Proofread all text (zero typos)
- ✓ Tested on different screen sizes
- ✓ Rehearsed / reviewed final output
0 of 10 items completed (0%)
📹 Video → Slides
- Extract key quotes as slide text
- Screenshot key moments as images
- Use video transcript as speaker notes
- Create a "video summary" slide deck
📊 Slides → Video
- Record voiceover over slides
- Add motion/zoom (Ken Burns effect)
- Export as MP4 with transitions
- Add music and captions
🔁 One → Many
- Long video → Shorts/Reels (clip highlights)
- Blog post → Slide deck → Video script
- Webinar → Clips → Quotes → Carousel
- Podcast → Audio clips → Transcript → Blog
ONE CONTENT PIECE, MANY FORMATS: Create 1 long-form video → Clip for Shorts/Reels → Quote for carousel → Blog post for SEO → Slide deck + 5 quotes + 1 carousel. Work smarter, not harder.
📁 Video Project Structure
- 01_Pre-Production/ — Scripts, storyboards, references
- 02_Production/ — Raw footage, audio files
- 03_Post-Production/ — Project files, exports
- 04_Assets/ — Music, SFX, graphics, fonts
- 05_Exports/ — Final MP4, thumbnails
📋 Slide Project Structure
- 01_Scripts/ — Speaker notes, talking points
- 02_Assets/ — Images, icons, graphics
- 03_Working/ — Draft slides, versions
- 04_Exports/ — PDF, PPTX, PNG, MP4
- 05_Templates/ — Master slides, brand assets
NAMING CONVENTION: [Date]_[Project]_[Version]_[Description]. Example: 2025-01-15_ProductLaunch_v2_Final.pptx. Always version your files!