Speakers + Presenters
You’ve rehearsed your points, your slide deck is queued up, and you’re standing in front of a live audience. But as soon as you advance to the first slide—bright white background and all—you notice people squinting or looking away. Suddenly, instead of focusing on you, they’re struggling with the harsh glare of the screen.
This scenario is more common than you’d think, and there’s a simple fix: ditch the glaring white background. Instead, opt for white or light-colored text on a darker high contrast background. Not only does this ease the strain on your audience’s eyes, but it also keeps the focus on you—the presenter—where it should be.
Think of it like driving at night: when you’re hit with bright headlights, it’s hard to see anything else. Similarly, staring at a bright screen for too long can make it harder for your audience to engage with your message.
There’s a reason wayfinding signs, billboards, and street signs are designed with light text on dark backgrounds. It improves readability, especially in less-than-ideal lighting conditions. By applying the same logic to your presentation, you ensure your audience can absorb the information comfortably without being distracted by eye strain.
With a few thoughtful adjustments, you can elevate your presentations and keep your audience’s attention where it belongs—on you.
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